Baptists/children as christians

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Expert: - 5/19/2005


Question
Hello,

I was curoious as to what exactly do Baptist Faith churches think about our wonderful children, are they considered christians when born into the covenant? or do they HAVE to be older and publicaly profess their faith to christ?

Answer
"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Heaven."

We believe that until children understand right from wrong they are "safe" but they are not Christians.  Once they know right from wrong and choose to sin they are in as much spiritual trouble as any adult and must make a profession of faith to be saved.  We do not hold to infant baptism as a replacement for circumcision or cleansing of "original sin" for there is no Scriptural justification for such rites.

We will present the child before the Lord and promise to bring it up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord but that does not bring the child into any special covenant with Christ or the church.  

Jesus said that we should allow little children to come unto him so waiting until they are 12 is not Scriptural either.

Whenever a child understands that he/she is a sinner and that Jesus came to do that he/she is to be led to Christ.  That may come at a very young age or it may come later.  Each child is different.  Be they 3 or 8 or 12 once they know the truth they MUST come before Christ to enter into a personal relationship to Christ.   

Sadly, too many people will end up in Hell because they had more trust in their childhood rituals than Christ and do not enter into the relationship they need.  

I was a Methodist as a child and my wife was a Lutheran and we thought we were Christians because we had been baptized as infants and maybe had some sort of catechism that neither of us remembered.  To His glory, we were saved at 22 and 21 by going to a Baptist church to get a fellow off my back.

John Wesley travelled 250,000 miles on horseback to preach you must be born again and I never heard it.  Luther almost died to preach only by faith, only by Scripture and my wife never heard that.  Thus we are Baptists by conviction.  We were lost by birth and tradition.

Hopefully this has been of some help to you.  May the Lord richly bless you as you seek His will and Word.

Ron
www.mavmin.org

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Dr. Ronald E. Shultz

Expertise

I am more of a polemicist than an apologist. I especially desire to answer questions concerning discipleship/holiness, "gray areas", etc. If all you wish is an argument then I am not your man. Sincere seekers only need e-mail me.

Experience

I have ministered in several states since my conversion in 1975. I participate in many forums and have written two books.

Organizations
American Association of Christian Counselors since 2009
Texas Civil Defense since 2008
American Legion since 2002
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, since 1994
Life Member NCOA, 1973
Dover AFB Honor Guard, 1971-73

Publications
Poem, "Cowboy Up" published in an anthology by American Poets Society, 2004
Author, Jail House Religion, Xulon Press, 2004
Author, The Power of Holy Women, Xulon Press, 2003
Messianic Literary Corner published 45 poems, 2003+
Tract “Which Way To God” published on http://www.tracts.com/whichway.html, 1998
Several poems published on various web pages, 1997,1998,1999
Author, Metamorphosis, copyrighted, partially published collection of poetry, 1968-94
Article, “Why I Prefer Expository Preaching”, published in Canyonview Bible Seminary's Expositor, 1988

Education/Credentials
Doctor of Theology, Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA, 2001, Summa Cum Laude
Master of Theology, Christian Bible College, Rocky Mount, NC, 2000, Summa Cum Laude
Bachelor of Religious Education , Administration minor, Piedmont Baptist College, Winston-Salem, NC, 1982, Cum Laude
Evangelical Teacher Training Association, Teachers Diploma, Winston-Salem, NC, 1982
Other study: Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL - 1975-78
Upper Iowa University, Fayette, IA - 1976-77
Interim Ministry For Today's Churches - 2000


Awards and Honors
Heritage Registry of Who's Who, 2006-2007
Editor's Choice Award, International Library of Poetry, 2003
America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals 2001-2002
Stratmore Who's Who, 2001-2002
Guest Speaker Texas A&M, Commerce, 1999
Gubernatorial Commendation by Texas Veterans Commission, 1999
Dallas VA Certificate of Pride in Public Service, 1999
Guest on the Kevin Bullard radio program KPBC AM 770,1997
Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1996
Editor's Choice Award, National Library of Poetry, 1995
Who's Who in Poetry, 1992
United States Army Achievement Medal, 1990
Personal testimony dramatized for international radio program Unshackled, 1986
Outstanding Young Men of the South, 1981
United States Air Force Commendation Medal, 1978
Two USAF suggestion awards, 1976
NCO of the Quarter, 1975
Freedom Foundation Award, 1975

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