General Conference has no plan to rush people into baptism." These words spoken clearly by Elder Robert H. Pierson have been heard in all parts of the world field. They present a fact that deserves serious consideration. Recently urgent inquiries have been reaching us from evangelists, pastors, and church members as to whether we believe in and foster quick baptisms, and the question is asked: "When should a person be baptized?"
It is our firm belief that as soon as a person is truly ready for baptism no sooner, no later he should be baptized. This, we believe, is in full harmony with the Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy. Baptism signifies death to sin and a new life in Christ. It is the door to the church. We do not baptize people until they give evidence that they are prepared to enter into complete fellowship with Christ and His church.
Notice the following points as found in the inspired counsels on this important principle of faith:
1. Only those who are truly converted to Christ and this truth should be baptized.—See Evangelism, p. 307.
2. Baptism is a sign of entrance into Christ's spiritual kingdom, which is represented by the church.— Ibid.
3. No baptism should be performed that fails to connect the candidate to Christ and His church.—Ibid., p. 318.
4. Those who are baptized should be fully instructed.—Ibid., p. 308.
5. Those who are baptized should be not only renewed in heart but re formed in life.—Ibid., p. 319.
6. Accession of members who have not been truly converted and instructed are a source of weakness to the church.—Ibid., p. 313.
7. Satan is pleased when such people are brought into the church.—Ibid.
8. Many are baptized who have no fitness for this sacred ordinance.— Ibid., p. 319.
9. All who enter upon the new life should understand before their baptism that the Lord requires the undivided affections, the practicing of the truth.—Ibid., p. 308.
10. The line of demarcation should be plain among those who love God and keep His commandments and those who disregard His precepts. There is need of thorough conversion to the truth before baptism.— Ibid.
11. A thorough inquiry into the experience of the candidate is to precede baptism.—Ibid., p. 311.
12. Candidates are to put away erroneous beliefs and ungodly practices in preparation for baptism. —The Acts of the Apostles, p. 475.
13. Many are buried alive. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the church.— The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, on Rom. 6:1-4, p. 1075.
14. It would be better to baptize six truly converted people and bring them into the church than sixty who make only a nominal profession and are not thoroughly converted. —Evangelism, p. 320.
It is evident that this counsel must be followed if church membership is to be meaningful today. We are warned that the devil works to get certain people into the church so that through them he can counteract the work of the Spirit and destroy the influence of the church. Genuine care needs to be taken, therefore, when dealing with these matters.
Having said this, we also want to go on record against the tendency of some to delay baptizing people on one pretext or another. Some have been denied baptism who were properly prepared and were truly ready. Others have had their baptism delayed so long that they have come to believe that the church does not want them in its fellowship. This is a great tragedy and a source of discouragement.
What we appeal for is a proper balance. Let us not baptize people until they give evidence of their conversion to Christ and this blessed truth with its high standards of Christian conduct and experience. Let us make sure that they are properly prepared for baptism and membership in the church. On the other hand, let us not keep them waiting so long that they lose faith and feel that they are not wanted.
Questions are being frequently asked about the baptism of children. The chief one is: "How old should children be be fore they are baptized?" The servant of the Lord has said that children may have an experience in Christ that is in keeping with their years. When they are old enough to know what baptism signifies, when they are truly surrendered to Christ, understand the principles of faith and the significance of church membership, they are old enough to be baptized. We do not wish to establish an arbitrary age. Some are more mature in their Christian experience than others at any given age. The peak age for baptisms among children of the church is from 11 to 14. This seems to be a safe age spread, and it might serve as a general guideline. There will no doubt be exceptional cases where some may properly be baptized a bit earlier.
The inspired counsel to this church, however, indicates that when children are baptized, especially those at an early age, parents must accept responsibility, along with the pastor and teachers, for their spiritual growth. This is reasonable and right, and all should sense their great privilege in contributing to the salvation of the lambs of the flock (see Evangelism, pp. 309, 310).
The other danger we face is in delaying the baptism of our children so long that they come to believe there is no need or place for them in the church. This, too, is a great mistake. We need our children and youth. We cannot get on without them. They are our precious treasure, and God is using them in a marvelous way to help finish His work. Let us prepare them properly for baptism, yes, but then let us baptize them. Give them the blessing and security of church member ship, and then utilize their talents and energies in the service of Christ.
A distinct warning against the danger of meaningless church membership is presented in the following statement from the messenger of the Lord.
Only when the Church is composed of pure, unselfish members, can it fulfill God's purpose. Too much hasty work is done in adding names to the church roll. Serious defects are seen in the characters of some -who join the church. Those who admit them say, We will first get them into the church, and then reform them. But this is a mistake. The very first work to be done is the work of reform. Pray with them, talk with them, but do not allow them to unite with God's people in church relationship until they give decided evidence that the Spirit of God is working on their hearts. --Review and Herald, May 21, 1901.
