Baptizing children

Regarding your article on the baptism of children in our Baptist churches (The Alabama Baptist, Oct. 14), I want to congratulate the author. It was very historical and moderate regarding the issue.

I come from a religious background in my country where baptism among infants is very common (in the Catholic religion). That is why when we baptize, we are careful to whom we do so.

This article raises another question. When does a child need to be saved? “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt. 19:14). If that is the only condition to be baptized, shouldn’t we think about it?

I think children should be taught the truths of the Bible and the gospel. Parents and Sunday School teachers should be wise as to when to confront them with the most important decision of their lives and then make sure that they understand the meaning of baptism. I don’t like to see the statistics on those children who went to church all their lives, but as soon as they were exposed to different ideas in college, they just left their relationship with God because they did not understand what they were doing. It was just a tradition as in the Catholic church.

For my part, I don’t baptize children.

Carlos E. Lemus
Hispanic missionary for Chilton and Autauga Baptist associations
Clanton, Ala.