Appropriate age for baptism

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Matt1626

Guest
#1
Coming from a perspective of adult baptism only I have seen 5, 7, 10, 13, 15 all used as the age of baptism also should severely disabled or mentally disabled be considered for baptism.


If I was in a place such as a very dry desert or the arctic and there was no was other than small amounts what would I do about immersion

both of these aren't addressed in the bible
 
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MadParrotWoman

Guest
#2
I think the child should be at an age he or she is able to understand the meaning of baptism, I would suggest no younger than 12yrs old. It must be taken seriously.

I don't believe God would hold the inability to be baptised against someone who has given their life to Him.

Just my opinion for what it's worth..
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
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#3
Baptism is only an outward sign of an inward response to identifying with the death and resurrection of Christ. Identifying as in choosing to no longer live for yourself (dying to self), and choosing to live in the newness of life that the Holy Spirit residing in you can provide.

Nice to have the waters to enact the "dying" part, and the rising out of them to symbolize the "rising to new life".

But this really is a heart thing. And you can still have the very same inward experience without water. Certainly, the man on the cross beside Jesus had no water available to be baptized in the way that Jesus illustrated it to be.

In hospital/hospital work, just a few drops of water can be put on a person's forehead with words as to what that water is symbolizing. They are disabled, and I would think that Jesus would meet them where they are. He is really doing the baptism, since we are baptized into Him.

If I had a mentally disabled child, I would also baptize him with just the words, "Jesus lives in you." Something he could understand. Then trust that the Holy Spirit would quicken to his spirit what he needed to experience.

God is a creative God - why should we be locked into little boxes of how we do things?

I was baptized in a baptist church when around 8 or 9 with the understanding I had then. Later in life, I found myself living out baptism every time I had to die to selfish desires - and choose to live by the Spirit. And then understood it better. However, Jesus met me at 8 or 9 and blessed me in the act even with my limited understanding.
 
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Ariel82

Guest
#4
[SUP]When they are 30, its when Jesus was baptized.

Luke 3

21 [/SUP]When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. [SUP]22 [/SUP]And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

[SUP]23 [/SUP]Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age,
 
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Matt1626

Guest
#5
It sounds like a lot of opinions with out anything to back it up
 
May 15, 2013
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#6
Coming from a perspective of adult baptism only I have seen 5, 7, 10, 13, 15 all used as the age of baptism also should severely disabled or mentally disabled be considered for baptism.


If I was in a place such as a very dry desert or the arctic and there was no was other than small amounts what would I do about immersion

both of these aren't addressed in the bible
When ever a person becomes aware of their guilt.
 
May 2, 2014
1,060
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#7
Coming from a perspective of adult baptism only I have seen 5, 7, 10, 13, 15 all used as the age of baptism also should severely disabled or mentally disabled be considered for baptism.


If I was in a place such as a very dry desert or the arctic and there was no was other than small amounts what would I do about immersion

both of these aren't addressed in the bible
Peter said, repent and be baptized. It would seem that one must understand what it means to repent. The early Christians, when they could find enough water to immerse would pour if they had to.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#8
How old was Jesus? and if not enough water to be immersed then no immersion can take place.....Baptism is the first act of obedience and is indicative of what has taken place inwardly by faith...If one is old enough and understands enough to be saved they are old enough to understand immersion and the picture set forth....no set age per say........other than it is contrary to immerse someone who does not understand biblical salvation whatever the age may be!
 
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Matt1626

Guest
#9
Peter said, repent and be baptized. It would seem that one must understand what it means to repent. The early Christians, when they could find enough water to immerse would pour if they had to.


So you would deny the disabled baptism interesting
 
K

Kerry

Guest
#10
Baptism before salvation is just a ceremony that means nothing, There is no answer to the question, you can be saved at 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 or 40 years old. Eli is a prime example of child salvation. So there's no answer and water baptism is not that imporotant, though we should do it.
 
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Matt1626

Guest
#11
Baptism before salvation is just a ceremony that means nothing, There is no answer to the question, you can be saved at 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 or 40 years old. Eli is a prime example of child salvation. So there's no answer and water baptism is not that imporotant, though we should do it.

Ok well if a 5 year old is ok why not a 3 year old or the bible never addresses this and Christianity is very divided on this