Many young parents have asked the question, "When is the best time to baptize my child?" Here are seven things to keep in mind.
1. JESUS SAVES AND JESUS DETERMINES THE TIMES AND PLACES
As parents, it is our most pressing desire and prayer for our kids to be saved. But remember, salvation is of the Lord—beginning, middle, and end. There are many who were not brought up in church but saved later in life. Jesus determines the time and place of our salvation. As much as we may want to force or speed up salvation when it concerns our children, Jesus calls the shots. Pray for their salvation and trust Jesus in the timing.
2. BE UNDER GOOD TEACHING
Faith comes from hearing the word of God. Many people were not exposed to good gospel teaching as children. So for your children, it is very important that week after week you are under sound biblical teaching and the proclamation of Christ’s gospel.
Participate in your local church, be a part of a community group, listen to biblically-sound podcasts, etc. Always make sure your family is under good teaching.
3. LOOK FOR A CHANGE IN HEART
After your child has made a confession of faith in Jesus Christ, look for a change in their heart. Does your child acknowledge and have a distaste for sin that was not there before their confession of faith? Are they showing a desire to pray and read their Bible? Does your child look forward to going to church and being with other believers? These are all evidences of the Holy Spirit's indwelling.
4. WAIT AND TRAIN
When your child has begun to show an interest and desire to be baptized, dig a little deeper and ask your child, “Why do you want to be baptized?” Take the opportunity to teach them that the reason we get baptized is to display our faith in Jesus Christ to the church. Being baptized signifies the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We too will enjoy death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus as he is our Lord and Savior.
5. BAPTISM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR SALVATION
Christians are saved by faith, not baptism. Baptism is a covenant sign and represents the reality of Jesus circumcising the believer’s heart. As with all covenant signs, baptism is a kind of physical sermon that shows the inward spiritual blessing of regeneration.
“In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:11–12
6. BAPTISM IS IMPORTANT FOR EVANGELISM
Baptism is a great display of faith to believers and unbelievers. Once you see that Jesus has changed your child's heart and begin to plan your child’s baptism, focus on the evangelistic aspect. When we are baptized, we are demonstrating to others our faith. Convey to your children that their baptism may be used by Jesus to save others.
7. BAPTISM IS AN IMPORTANT DAY
The day your child gets baptized will bring many varying emotions—extreme joy, excitement, a humble fear of the Lord. It can be a heavy moment, but in a good way. What an incredible blessing and privilege we have to introduce our children to Jesus, and see them saved by jesus and baptized. It is a moment that should be celebrated, cherished, and remembered fondly.
