(Matt. 19:13‑15)

 

For some people, bringing little children to Jesus implies baptising them in water in infancy. This is because of the theology that holds that children are born with. Original sin, meaning that they share in the sin and guilt of Adam, which sin and guilt  must be washed away through  baptism, before they can be accepted by God. But the truth is that water baptism, in itself, does not save anybody, as it is simply a public declaration, symbolic of a spiritual phenomenon which has supposedly already taken place (cp. Rom. 6:3‑5). Infant baptism is as unnecessary as it is meaningless, as the little child has no conscience of sin, nor can he repent nor receive  Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour. And these things cannot be done by proxy.

 

Bringing little children to Jesus and training them up in the fear and nurture of the Lord is basically the responsibility of parents. Church and Church schools can only supplement (cp. Gen. 18:19; Deut. 6:7; Ps. 78:5; Prov. 6:20; Eph. 6:4).

 

The matter of bringing little children to Christ involves: Dedicating them to God early enough (cp. 1 Sam. 1:24‑27; Lk. 2:22); teaching them and bringing them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord (cp. Eph. 6:4); teaching and leading them to turn from sin and receive the Lord Jesus by faith into their hearts, so as to receive the saving grace (cp. Mk. 1:14,15; Jn. 1:11‑13); teaching and making your children to obey you by loving use of Biblical discipline (cp. Deut. 8:5; Prov. 3:11,12; 13:24; 23:13,14; 29:15,17); protecting them from ungodly influences,  knowing Satan=s devices to destroy them through worldly attractions and immoral companions (cp. Prov. 13:20; 28:7; 1Cor. 15:33, 34; 1Jn. 2:15‑17); teaching them all the counsel of God both by examples and exhortations.

 

 In the light of the foregoing, what can be said of those parents who claim to be Christians and yet do not bother about the salvation of their (reasonable) children as much as they bother about their feeding, clothing, education, profession, social standing, etc? What can be said of those Christian women (so‑called) who are so reckless with the training of their children that they can afford to introduce them to such life‑styles, dressing/make‑up styles which they grow up to follow and damn their souls. What about those parents that will teach their children every manner of loose, sinful and wicked life‑style by their examples, while using  brute force to attempt to make them good and Godly? Such Pharisaism does not work.

 

Training up and leading children in the right way must be by precept and practice, and not otherwise. Will you bring your children to Jesus hence‑forth? Let=s rise to make our resolve known to the Lord, as well as receive grace to effect same.

 

Fellowship Songs (HSCF 293)