Tag Archive - Childhood Conversion

When Should We Baptize Kids?

February 25, 2011 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

Among those who practice believer’s baptism (credo-baptism), there are  two basic positions regarding the questions of childhood participation in the church ordinances, baptism and communion, and childhood church membership.  The two views are:

  1. Withholding baptism and communion from children until they reach a level of maturity that is independent of their parents in matters relating to God and the church.
  2. Immediate participation in baptism and communion for believing children, who are recognized as church members with limited responsibilities.

Over the past few weeks, both Trevin Wax (Kingdom People) and John Starke (The Gospel Coalition) have weighed in on this discussion.  Both suggested four principles. Continue Reading…

Thursday Book Club: Children in Paul’s Teaching

January 27, 2011 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

In December, I read through the new edition of Andreas J. Köstenberger’s God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation. Even though the book has been justly criticized for its treatment of family ministry in the church, I think it is still most helpful theology of family that I’ve read. One of the best sections is the book comes on pages 105-106, and it is entitled “Children in Paul’s Teaching.”

In this section, Dr. Köstenberger overviews the New Testament’s commands for children to obey their parents (Matt. 15:4; 19:19; Mark 7:10; 10:19; Luke 18: 20; Col. 3:20-21; Eph. 6:1).  In Ephesians, according to Köstenberger, “Paul indicates that children’s submission to their parents is a result of Spirit-filling (Eph. 6:1; cf. Eph. 5:18: “be filled with the Spirit”), which suggests that only regenerate children can consistently live out this pattern of relationship in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Continue Reading…

Do your kids have questions about baptism and salvation? Sign up for the Ask Class.

October 3, 2010 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

Sign up now!

The goal of this class is to answer the questions of kids and their parents who are seeking to understand the gospel, salvation, baptism, and assurance.  We want to partner with parents, who have been commanded to teach their kids about God.  Our hope is that this class will be a catalyst for more gospel conversations between parents and their children.   The first session covers issues related to Jesus and salvation.  The second session covers issues related to baptism and assurance.

Next Class: Classes will meet again on Sundays, October 17th & 24th.  Register here.

Download Sojourn’s position and process for on childhood baptism.

Bethlehem Baptist’s New Youth Baptism Policy

June 15, 2010 in Uncategorized with 1 Comment

Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, where David Michael serves as family pastor, recently updated their youth baptism information brochure and process.  As part of that revision, they have provided a link to an explanation paper written by Scott Holman, a friend and fellow Sojourner, and myself.  Bethlehem is a model church and a mentor to Sojourn in many ways.   It is humbling that something we have been part of writing has been used and highlighted by a mentor church body that we respect very much.  May the Lord be glorified in our efforts, and in the lives of the children and families who are part of this process at both Bethlehem and Sojourn.

Personal Agency & Childhood Salvation

April 6, 2010 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

Check out these two posts where one of LaGrange Baptist Church’s pastors, Doug Wolter, interviews Southern Seminary professor, Dr. Eric Johnson, on the issues of personal agency and childhood salvation:

Part 1

Part 2

Page 1 of 3123»