Michael Demory
When should my children obey the Gospel?” “At what age are my children considered
sinners by God?” “My child has been asking questions about baptism, is she/he old enough to obey
the Gospel?” “My son/daughter has been sitting in Bible classes all their life; I believe that he/she
knows what is required to become a Christian.” Preachers and elders have heard these and many
other statements from parents who have accepted the tradition of men that children are viable
candidates in God’s plan of salvation. I must admit that my wife and I had fallen into this line of
thinking when our son and daughter began reaching that ripe old age of teen-hood.
We had witnessed countless parents encourage their children to prepare for the day when
they should obey the Gospel, whether at summer camp, during some youth meeting, or
congregational services. It is only natural that we should want to be viewed as caring parents who
made sure that their children did the right thing once they reached that magic young age for
baptism. To our surprise as well as joy, one Wednesday night our son (at the ripe old age of 13),
responded to the invitation I had offered after my devotional. Having been unaware of his desire,
we discussed a few fundamental issues to make sure that he knew what he was doing, after which
we both walked to the back to prepare for his baptism into Christ. Our daughter on the other hand
required some manipulation, when we felt it was time for her to obey the Gospel. Discovering we
were getting nowhere, my wife and I asked a friend to study with her, after our attempts failed. No
matter how much we encouraged her to obey the Gospel, she refused and would not give us a
reason why.
It was discovered during a study with our friend that our daughter was afraid to go under the
water. It was not until my first work as a Gospel preacher, during a lady’s class that my wife was
teaching, that our daughter decided (at the age of 13) that it was time and wanted to be baptized
immediately. Working with a small congregation that had no baptistry, we drove 30 miles to
another congregation and baptized her that night. My wife and I were overjoyed that we had finally
been successful in getting our children to obey the Gospel and become New Testament Christians,
brothers and sisters in Christ.
I am sure that many parents have had similar situations with their children, grandchildren,
nieces, and nephews. It is only natural, that as parents, we want our family members to become
Christians so our relationships will be eternal, and not just earthly. As a Gospel preacher, I have
learned that most parents believe their children should become Christians if they can tell you the
steps of salvation. Most believe that the age to obey the Gospel is anywhere from ten to twelve
years, with the occasional thirteen-to fourteen-year-old. I have heard of some who would go as far
as baptizing eight-year old’s if they thought the individual knew what they were doing.
It is understandable for parents to desire the best for their children, particularly when it
comes to their soul’s salvation. The question my wife and I have been asking ourselves for several
years now, is, “are we as parents pushing our children into a situation, they (and we as parents) are
not really prepared for?” Obeying the Gospel is not something any of us should take lightly,
because it is much more than simply knowing the steps and being immersed, it is a commitment.
A commitment that most adults are not ready or willing to accept. Jesus said of discipleship that
we must first “count the cost” (Luke 14:26-33).
It is that time of year again when summer camps and youth meetings build the emotions of
our children, which immersions are witnessed by Facebook and church website postings. The
question is—did they count the cost before doing so? Were the parents prepared for what it would
cost them in terms of treating their child as a brother or sister in Christ?
—continued next week
