Sawubona family of JESUS! GOD loves you very much! Your life is in his hands. Do not doubt it. You will live, you will not die. You will tell of the works of JESUS and perform miracles in his Name.
Children vs. teenagers
Reminders about the baptism in CHRIST or the baptism of JESUS
Children's baptism (0 to 11 years) : NO
Baptism for teenagers (12 to 17) : YES Conditional
❖ (Mark 10:13-16, Semeur): "13 Some people were bringing him little children so that he could touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When JESUS saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of GOD is for those who are like them. 15 Verily I say unto you, He that receiveth not the kingdom of GOD as a little child, shall not enter therein." 16 Then he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them."
❖ (Acts 11:47-48, Semeur): "Then Peter asked: Can we refuse to baptize in water those who have received the HOLY SPIRIT as well as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST. Then they begged him to stay with them a few more days."
❖ (Acts 2: 38-41, Ostervald) : 38 And Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. 39 For the promise has been made to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, as many as the LORD our GOD will call. 40 And he admonished them with many other speeches and exhorted them, saying: Save yourselves from this perverse race. 41 So those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to the disciples.
1. Children vs. teenagers
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines childhood as the period from birth to 18 years of age, unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier. The same convention defines adolescence as the period from 10 to 19 years of age. Adolescents are therefore a category of children
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescence as the period of life from age 10 to 19, and youth as the period from age 15 to 24. Young people are therefore adolescents over the age of 14, and adults under the age of 25. In medicine, there are four age groups for children:
Newborns: 0 to 27 days
Infants: 28 days to 23 months
Children: 2 to 11 years
Teenagers: ages 12 to 17
The word adolescent does not exist in every language. The age range associated with adolescence can vary from one country, region or culture to another. In Denmark, for example, a child is a child until the age of 14, and an adolescent between the ages of 14 and 18.
Inspired by JESUS (Luke 2: 41-42), I have the personal conviction that the soul enters adolescence at the age of 12. Let me make it clear that this is a personal conviction. Unquestionably, there are exceptions.
A quick reminder:
Puberty is the period of physical transition that occurs during adolescence, generally starting at age 11 for girls and 12 for boys. Adolescence is the period of psychological and social development and change, generally extending from age 10 to 19. Other terms not to be confused in the article: Adolescents: a category of children.
The soul is the seat of emotions, feelings, will and understanding. The difference between mind and soul in Mind and Soul: the components.
JESUS at age 12 (Luke 2: 41-42):
He was aware that GOD is his father ⇒ He had a relationship
He asked questions in the temple. ⇒ He was interested in and studied the Scriptures
He amazed teachers (mature adults) with his intelligence and the quality of his answers. ⇒ He understood the Scriptures. 🙂 For all that, he was presented as a child. It is even specified that he grew in wisdom, stature, and grace, before GOD and men (Luke 2:52). A child with an exceptional IQ, exceptional wisdom or exceptional grace is still a child.
2. Reminders about the baptism in CHRIST or the baptism of JESUS
Let's go back to the articles
Baptism in CHRIST is also called the baptism of JESUS. From previous articles, we have understood that baptism in CHRIST is by immersion. Any baptism that is not by immersion is not a baptism. I don't even understand how Christians, or people who call themselves Christians, can debate on such a subject. 🙂 Either you read the Bible or you don't.
We receive salvation through faith in JESUS, and it is JESUS who sends the disciples to baptize. So it's natural to prefer the expression in the name of JESUS to that in the name of the FATHER, the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT. GOD is ONE. The FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT are not jealous when we say in the name of JESUS. In the name of the FATHER means we recognize his authority. In the name of the SON means we recognize his identity and position. In the name of the HOLY SPIRIT means we recognize his presence and ministry.
We are saved by faith, not by baptism, but baptism is important. Through baptism, we testify to our obedience, our faith and our new (spiritual) birth in JESUS CHRIST (identification with the death, burial and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST). GOD wants us to be baptized. JESUS says "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19, LSG)
Baptism into CHRIST is for those who are disciples of JESUS CHRIST, who are in the process of becoming such, or who truly intend to become such. It is for those who commit themselves to follow JESUS, to walk in his footsteps, to become disciples or to have a good conscience towards GOD. Those who, after hearing the Gospel, believe, confess, repent and commit.
As we know, a disciple is a person who receives a master's teaching, adheres to his doctrine and thoughts, and is in continuity with his work. To be in the continuity of a work is to continue what has begun (what the master is doing or did), and if possible, to go beyond it by respecting his instructions, his doctrine and his thoughts.
JESUS himself said that whoever believes in him will do the works he did, and even greater ones (John 14:12). The only disciple, then, is one who has received and understood the Master's doctrine, believes in it (accepts it) and puts it into practice.
3. Children's baptism (0 to 11 years) : NO
A disciple is not a baby, a person who doesn't know what he's doing or why he's doing it. Accepting JESUS CHRIST as SAVIOR and LORD is a personal choice, made in good conscience. A child under the age of 12 is not capable of making that choice in good conscience. The baptism of children, I specify that of small children, is not biblical. Therefore, it has no value in CHRIST.
🙂 GOD doesn't ask parents to baptize their children. Either you read the Bible or you don't. Dear parents, remember that GOD loves your children more than you love them. He gave his only son for the salvation of all. Don't think you can explain to him that you choose to disobey his word under the pretext that you love him or your children.
GOD asks parents to:
Preserving life: not aborting. Whoever destroys a life in germ kills a human being (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13-16, Exodus 21:22-25, Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 1:9-6, Psalm 36:9).
Praying for their children (which may include a church presentation ceremony)
To give them good foundations, to be good role models, to bring them up by educating and advising them in a way that conforms to the LORD's will (Psalms 78:3-4, Mark 10:13-16, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4, Psalms 127:3-5, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Deuteronomy 4:9, Proverbs 13:13-14, Matthew 18:5-9, Leviticus 19:29).
Care for them, attend to their needs, defend their interests (1 Timothy 5:8, Proverbs 27:23)
Reprimand with wisdom and temperance (Psalms 103:13, Colossians 3:21, Proverbs 29:15, Proverbs 19:18
Leaving a good legacy. Inheritance is primarily material (Proverbs 13:22).
Male circumcision is not compulsory, but strongly recommended.
4. Adolescent baptism (ages 12 to 17): YES conditional
🙂 Dear teenagers, YES you can ask to be baptized! If, however, after hearing the Gospel message, you understand it, you have the inner conviction that this message is true, you recognize JESUS CHRIST as SAVIOR and LORD, and you want to live in a way pleasing to GOD. As soon as you meet these conditions, you can be baptized. Baptism is not just for adults. It's for anyone (teenagers and adults) who can choose in good conscience. Baptism is not for infants (0-11 years). Baptism is for teenagers and adults (aged 12 and over).
** Sawubona = Good morning in Zulu (South Africa)
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