Quote:
Originally posted by Eclipse
I think parents should explain what giving your life to Christ means (if they are Christians) and let the child know it is their decision and what the consequences are. I'm not sure where this is, but I think the Bible says something about children being covered by their parents until they are at the "age of cencent." and at that point they are kinda on their own with salvation.
Bottom line, I think children should be taught about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit from the moment they come out of the womb, but they ultimately need to make the decision.
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That is what I was going to say, only more eloquent.
As a baby, I was dedicated in the Southern Baptist church. My whole family went to that church and it was all I ever knew. Then, when I was about 8, my aunt and uncle converted to the Lutheran Church. I would go to church with them from time to time and it really helped broaden my knowledge of religion.
My sunday school group hardly ever changed, so we all knew everybody else. At about age 11, there were only about 4 of us that had not "taken the plunge" (Southern Baptists use immersion for baptism).
I finally decided to be baptized when I was 14. At my church, baptism was always referred to as the outward action of the inner change. I really didn't think I could make that kind of decision until I was older. The other kids who were baptized at the same service were 4, 5, and 8. At those ages, I couldn't have known enough to make an informed decision, but everyone is different.
I never felt pressure from my family, honestly. My parents knew that everything would work out in God's own time. It was a bizzare coincidence, though, that I was baptized on Mother's Day. My mom cried and said that she couldn't have asked for a better present...
