Marge was concerned her 13-year old nephew was not a Christian. His lifestyle was not consistent with what, according to the Scriptures, would be a Christian lifestyle. But she vividly remembered praying with him when he was 8-years old. Marge recently said,
He asked the Lord in his heart when he was 8-years old. So I went to him and asked if he remembered it and he said he did remember praying that day. I was so relieved to know he’s a Christian. I was thinking he didn’t remember when he did that.
Sadly, this is an all-too-often understanding of salvation and what it means to be a Christian. Though there is no evidential fruit in this teenager’s life, Marge is hanging his faith on some words that were said five years earlier. Knowing whether a person is a Christian is somewhat subjective, but the bible does offer certain evidences that can guide our thinking about how to examine ourselves as to whether we are in the faith. The biblical evidences of salvation are far less subjective than basing our faith solely on words spoken many years ago.
Wisdom seems to suggest that if we look through the lens of transformative fruit, as outlined in the Word of God, then we would see a clearer picture of what a regenerated soul should look like. The point of this article is NOT to talk you out of your religion or to create un-faith where faith should be, as though I could do that. However, I think there is wisdom in carefully examining ourselves to see whether or not we are in the faith.
Two of the more obvious templates in Scripture that speak of the transformed life are Galatians 5:22-23 or 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. There are others as well. John has helped us immensely through his writings regarding what it means to be a Christian. Roll your cursor over the verses below and read the pop-up boxes to see some of the characteristics, attitudes and evidences of what it means to be a Christian.
- 1 John 1:5-6; 1 John 1:8-9; 1 John 1:10; 1 John 2:1; 1 John 2:3, 5
- 1 John 2:6; 1 John 2:10-11; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 John 2:23; 1 John 2:24
- 1 John 2:28-29; 1 John 3:3; 1 John 3:9-10; 1 John 3:1-15; 1 John 3:18-19
- 1 John 3:23-24; 1 John 4:2; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 4:6; 1 John 4:7-8
- 1 John 4:11-13; 1 John 4:15; 1 John 4:20-21; 1 John 5:1; 1 John 5:2
- 1 John 5:4-5; 1 John 5:10; 1 John 5:12-13; 1 John 5:18; 1 John 5:20
When do you baptize?
When walking dads and moms through whether or not to baptize their kids after their “profession” of faith, I usually suggest they wait until their child is older and has a fuller understanding of what happened at his second birth. This also gives the parents time to examine the fruits of repentance, that can only be measured by time. I think it is wise to wait until they are at least in their teen years, where it is easier to discern whether they are walking in their own faith or the faith of their parents. This is particularly important for “christianized” kids.
While I would never want to discourage a kid in their new found faith, I also do not want to presume they were regenerated by the power of God just because they prayed a prayer. I’ve never found waiting on baptism to be a bad thing for a young Christian. James was right: faith without works is dead. (James 2:17)
I rejoice when a person comes into the kingdom. I also want to love, serve, disciple, watch, wait and not base the primary evidence of their regeneration on a prayer that was prayed when they were five.
If they were regenerated, then the power of God that leads to salvation will break out all over them…in time. (Romans 1:16) Unfortunately, Marge is resting in a prayer that was prayed, while her nephew is currently manifesting a lifestyle that is objectively contrary to the Christian life.
Other Helpful articles to help you think through what it means to be a Christian
- Your Child’s Profession of Faith, by Dennis Gundersen
- How Can I Know My Kid is Saved, by James Naisang
- I Prayed: Therefore I Am … a Christian
Checkout some of our training videos on our YouTube Channel
D. P. said, kids need to be taught that faith is a constant thing… it’s not something we do one time in the past?? Our faith is not in the prayer but in the God we pray to. right? Assurance of salvation is neccesary for every professing believer. I think that is important to point out. And assurance is a process read 1 John. It aint an easy process.
Bob Bolin said, Are you sure you weren’t listening in on our small group meeting last night? This is another topic we spent quite a bit of time addressing. Thanks so much for all you are doing for the kingdom.
I agree! It is very important for people to understand that they are not saved just because they prayed a prayer or because they say they are. There must be fruit and a growing change to become more like Christ.
Thank you!
Jeff Hage said, enjoyed this very important topic. Although I disagree with the “wait until the child is a teenager to get baptized”. I guess I do not see any distinction in the Bible between children and adults when it comes to this. I also do not see any necessity. Adults also can make false professions of faith.
We saw many adults in the Bible who were apostates. So I am not sure why draw the distinction with children? I would wonder also how long one needs to wait? plenty of adults fall from faith years later, demonstrating a false profession. Yet scripture always had baptism done immediately. food for thought?
John Suber said, “plenty of adults fall from the faith years later, demonstrating a false profession.” Not a conclusive association.
Yep, I get your point, Jeff. And it’s a good one. And it is food for thought for sure. And in such gray areas, since Scripture doesn’t say, I can see both positions, though I’d leave room to allow for mine, since it don’t/won’t hurt anything, I think
I’m coming more from a counseling perspective as well. In 15 years of walking folks through problems, I have never walked a person through an issue related to waiting for “subjective” evidential fruit before they were baptized.
I have counseling scores of 30 + year olds through their 5-year old profession and subsequent baptism and then years of fruitless life and later confusion.
I realize I’m simply speaking here and that all problems are not related to this issue. But I’ve noticed in my career an inter-relatedness with this issue, along with some of their other problems, where I’ve never seen “waiting” related to any problem.