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Can someone help me understand about children receiving Christ so young?
I know a lot of people that have told me that at 5, 6, 7 etc their children accepted Christ. I've always kind of had a hard time understanding how a child so young could make such a serious decision. I understand if they are raised in a Christ centered house that they would understand the importance, but I just don't know that I agree they can. Recently I was at a friends house and the husband came out and told us their newly turned 4 year old just accepted Christ. They were reading a book, talk turned to God and it came about. Then I find out the other child accepted Christ at age 3, but was just baptised this year. I thought it went hand in hand, so now I'm confused. I'd appreciate any advice/thoughts/etc
thanks
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Teresa
Homeschooling Mom to Zachary, 9, Brianna, 6, and baby Issac, 1
I guess it depends on the maturity of the child and their spiritual upbringing.
Zoey is 6 1/2 and recently asked me about her dedication (we were looking at pictures) and what that meant. I explained it to her and then we talked about accepting Christ and baptism. She told me that she knows in her heart that Jesus died for us, for her and her sins and that she was going to think about it some more and pray but that she thinks she should be baptised soon since she says she is old enough to understand who God is and what He has done for her. I told her we'd talk more but that when she is sure she's ready I will take her and she can be baptised. I asked her what she thought it would mean to her and she said basically that she would tell the people at church and the world what she believes and ask Jesus to always be in her heart.
I feel thats a pretty good indication that she has truly accepted Christ already and that an outward expression and a physical baptism is appropriate.
We are going to wait a bit , but I'm guessing by this time next year she will be truly ready and we will have her meet with the childrens pastor to talk about her baptism.
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~Barb
Mama to Chelsey,19, Zoey,8 and Roman, 5
Happy Holidays from my family to yours!
I know a lot of people that have told me that at 5, 6, 7 etc their children accepted Christ. I've always kind of had a hard time understanding how a child so young could make such a serious decision. I understand if they are raised in a Christ centered house that they would understand the importance, but I just don't know that I agree they can. Recently I was at a friends house and the husband came out and told us their newly turned 4 year old just accepted Christ. They were reading a book, talk turned to God and it came about. Then I find out the other child accepted Christ at age 3, but was just baptised this year. I thought it went hand in hand, so now I'm confused. I'd appreciate any advice/thoughts/etc
thanks
I'm LDS - our kids are given the opportunity to be baptised and formally welcomed into the church when they turn 8. But that being said, children who aren't ready or don't/can't understand (like my ds with Aspergers - he might not want to be baptised then, or ever, and that's OK) aren't in need of baptism because they are already without sin. And if they just don't want to be baptised, then that's their choice, and they can do it when/if they are ready. It's about being able to understand our accountability for our actions, and what we're signing up for.
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Our first family pic in AGES!! And it's already out of date. Oh well
I'm LDS - our kids are given the opportunity to be baptised and formally welcomed into the church when they turn 8. But that being said, children who aren't ready or don't/can't understand (like my ds with Aspergers - he might not want to be baptised then, or ever, and that's OK) aren't in need of baptism because they are already without sin. And if they just don't want to be baptised, then that's their choice, and they can do it when/if they are ready. It's about being able to understand our accountability for our actions, and what we're signing up for.
I think that is great...your experience.
When we were LDS and made the decision to hold off on our oldest son's baptism we were pressured to the point of bringing in the "higher ups" in on why we were not doing it right away after he turned 8. (by higher ups, I mean stake president and one of his counselors) We ended up baptizing ds earlier than we wanted to due to the pressure. Most LDS children are baptized right when they turn 8.
We just must have had the odd, bad experience with it.
I'm glad your local ward/stake/branch (whatever) is being supportive in your situation.
I think it depends on the individual....regardless of age.
I did not fully understand it until I read the entire Bible by myself and prayed a lot about it. (I was 36 yrs old)
Our youngest son, however, has accepted Christ. He is 7.5 years old. He asked a lot of questions for a few months and then said he wanted to follow Jesus. I can't tell you how much he understands because only he can know exactly that answer. I have faith that God works it all out and am not stressed about how old and at what age.
I think it depends on the individual....regardless of age.
I did not fully understand it until I read the entire Bible by myself and prayed a lot about it. (I was 36 yrs old)
Our youngest son, however, has accepted Christ. He is 7.5 years old. He asked a lot of questions for a few months and then said he wanted to follow Jesus. I can't tell you how much he understands because only he can know exactly that answer. I have faith that God works it all out and am not stressed about how old and at what age.
Michelle
I agree w/this. I don't think it's a big deal at all for young kids to accept Christ. I think they are more likely to, in fact. I used to make a bigger deal out of it, but now that I'm in my 30's and have completely changed my religious beliefs (and I know Michelle can relate!) I have to believe we follow the path we are led to follow.... and yes, that means even a child, and it also can mean there is not just one path we may be drawn toward, but many. I just try to teach my children to live what they believe.
I remember always believing as a child, however, it was slightly off-putting that I was expected to be baptised around my 8th bday. I was only asked like, that day maybe? LOL. Probably the bishop asked me in a pre-baptism appt... guess he would've had to. But my parents didn't until that day, and it was an unspoken fact that it would not have been a good idea for me to decline. All that said... it was not an age issue at all. I was ready. It was an expectation issue.
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