I have a bit of a dilemma and I'm asking for advice...
My sweet little boy, Spencer, came up to Tony & I today and asked if he could be baptized. I was a little more than taken aback by his request. He's 6 years old. SIX YEARS OLD. How can a six year old boy even begin to understand the magnitude of this request? I suppose I shouldn't be this surprised. It was last year at this time that he asked Jesus to come live in his heart. This little boy is wise beyond his years and has a heart the size of Texas.
"Do you know what it means to be baptized?"
That I believe that Jesus died for me and He loves me.
"Why do you want to be baptized?"
So that all of my sins are washed away.
"Did you know that your sins were washed away when you first asked Jesus to live in your heart?"
They were!?
"Yep... Do you still want to get baptized?"
Yes.
"Why?"
Because I want to live the way Jesus wants me to and I want everyone to know I love Him.
So here I am with this problem. I want to grant him his request, but is he old enough? Does he fully understand what he's asking? Am I holding him back by saying no? Am I forcing him into something he may not fully "get" if I say yes? I would love ANY and all feedback on this one... I don't want to break his little heart, but I'm not sure he's ready and I want him to be fully aware of his decision and to do it for the right reasons.
This little man of mine just has a heart for Jesus and I don't want to disappoint him.
11 comments:
I think it sounds like a heartfelt request and should be honored. I think baptism is a rite that would make him feel like a more active participant in his church family. Plus, when he's older he can go through confirmation.
I say let him. How many six year olds ask for that? what's the worst that could happen?
It sounds like his request was made without any prompting, and he has a pretty good grasp on what baptism means. I don't think age is as important as maturity, and he seems to be a pretty wise little dude!
Oh what a MARVELOUS lil dude he is. Absolutely he can be baptized. He can do it again and again and again and again. It's an outward confession of love and faithful dedication to His Lord and Savior. Something he is old enough to remember and have it root deep down into his Heart. Spence and Jesus, no doubt, have had a lil heart to heart about this. Ask Spence if he has talked to Jesus about this? What did Jesus say to him about it? Ask Spence: What does this mean to you and Jesus? Make it something where you show him where Jesus is in the middle of this. Then Spence will know that you ALWAYS want Jesus in the middle of the decisions, good times, bad times, amazing times, traumatic times. He is ready when he asks if he can do it. Accountability is an age "us" the church put on it....I think Jesus would say: Yeah...Spence and I, we be buds.
I think that you should let him, he knows why he wants to get baptized and its for the right reason...plus I am pretty sure I was baptized around that age too (although maybe a year older) but yes go ahead and let him :)
It really sounds like he DOES understand the meaning and DOES want to do it for the right reasons. This was totally unprompted, so you know it's a sincere request. I'd totally let him do it. I think it has more to do with one's heart being in the right place than having reached a certain (unspecified "appropriate") age...and it seems like Spencer's heart is in the right place. What a wise little man you're raising!! Kudos to you, momma!! :)
I would love to talk to you about this because I went through much the same thing with his Dad at this age.
Whenever my husband wants to do (or more often, buy) something substantial, I always ask him to wait a period of time and then reevaluate how important it really is to him. Most of the time, the topic never comes up again because he's forgotten all about it. It's saved us untold amounts of money. :) Your situation is very different but I still might ask Spencer to think and pray about his decision until Easter or some other set time, and if he's still focused on it at that time then you can feel confident granting him his request. If it doesn't come up again then he's probably not ready. (from Bethany P)
WOman!!!! Whoooo hoooo.
This is sooooo cool !!!!
Embrace the gift. There is nothing more powerful than the word of God from the mouths of babes.
Not only does he request a relationship with Christ but he wants to totally commit himself.
Again Whoo hoo Great job mom and dad.
I say go for it let him know the enemy is out there and will be gunning for him, but NOTHING is more powerful than the word. Read his bible, read his bible.....read his bible
Again GREAT JOB MOM AND DAD !!!
That anonymous post was me Victoria......only way I could figure out how to post after writing it out three times.
Oh and I want an invite. PTL
Hey lady! In the United Methodist church we actually baptize babies to signify that God's community wraps around the little one that they ALWAYS have a place in God's community. They are marked from the very beginning as one loved, sanctified and full of Grace. Grace is already there because God is full of love. So with all of that being said, if anyone at any age comes to me asking to be baptized I know that they have felt the love and grace of God and will be honored by that request. Even if it is questioned later, baptism is a mark that says they always have a place with God, are always loved by God and caught by God's hand. So even if bucket wonders what it is about, he knows why baptism occurs. In the United Methodist church we also don't rebaptize because of what is promised when baptism occurs...so its not just about washing away but about feeling that presence. Ok, I shall stop preaching now. Love you guys!
Post a Comment