Forbid Them Not: Rethinking the Baptism and Church Membership of Children and Young People

Pastor Ted Christman takes up the question of baptizing children and young people in Baptist churches. Clearly, he strongly opposes the premature baptism practiced in many Baptist churches. He also argues for close examination of a young person’s confession of faith and life by discerning parents and elders. Moreover, he offers sound questions and principles for doing so. However, appealing to “the baptism of disciples alone” from the Great Commission, he also pleads for charity toward children and young people in accepting their good confession toward baptism - the same charity we must give to adults. And he practices charity in his argument toward those who may differ with him.