The Case for Kids
I sometimes think that the Church of Jesus Christ has complicated the whole matter of candidature for baptism.
No doubt there is a place for minuscule debate, but surely it is sad if we lose sight of the big picture.
It appears to me both scriptural and sane to try to keep this simple for sheep who sit in seats.
One way of making the case for washing covenant kids might be in the following manner.
- Salvation in the Bible is always through faith in Covenant Promises.
- Covenant promises in the Bible are usually confirmed by signs or seals.
- Covenant signs and seals in the Bible are always applied to Households where present.
- The instruction to apply the sign and seal to Households of believers was not revoked but restated in the New Testament.
- The restated instruction to apply the Gospel sign to households means we ought to be quick to put the Savior's seal on kids.
Perhaps this is why children are addressed as included among the saints in the apostles' letters to churches.
No doubt some will hesitate at one or other of these five points. Be that as it may, it is my heartfelt prayer, by God's Gospel grace, that this ordinance outline (or sacramental skeleton) might be 'balm in Gilead' to heal a rift that rends God's flock.
May Israel's God, who shows redeeming love to the thousandth family branch, knit His sheep and lambs continually closer in will, heart and thought.
May the LORD of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Peter and Paul draw His prodigals, from all earth's families, to gather with their kids under the Banner of our King.
May His Spirit generate creedal cries, with consensus of confession, till with a single lip and life we laud One Lord, One faith and One baptism.
If that means being heavenly-minded may we steadily taste more of celestial reality.
