Baptism and Youth

Of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven

Those of you who were at Harmony PBC last Sunday were blessed to see Grant Miller come forward and ask for a home in the Lord's church. It is a tremendous blessing when a child feels compelled to join the church. Our Lord taught,

"Suffer little children, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14) Later in that same chapter, the Lord taught that the cares of this life often prevent people from following Him (Matthew 19:22).

As we grow older, material concerns have a tendency to first dominate and then overshadow our spiritual inclinations. I believe this is why elsewhere in scripture the preacher tells us,

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

It is good for sheep to follow their spiritual inclinations to follow God while they are young. After all, we improve in things to which we commit time and effort. We would never expect our children to excel at sports, or band, or in academics without committing time to pursuing and improving in those endeavors. Spiritual growth is similar in some respects and we do well to commit time to it, and the earlier the better.

Considering Seek Ye First

The Lord Jesus Christ taught us to,

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

This principle is often used to support the idea of how one manages their day - "Do the Lord's work first, make it the priority, and the other things will follow.” I believe this is a good application. I would add to that, the perspective that seeking first also applies over broader periods of time. Clearly, there are those who have an inclination to seek God at a very young age. I regard this as an example of "seeking first" in life, not just in the course of a day. We should encourage the young who have a desire to follow their Lord to enter into discipleship and instruction within the institution founded by the Lord Jesus Christ himself. We have an obligation as their elder brothers and sisters to come alongside them in love, providing wisdom, guidance, and comfort for them along the path.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

Lord willing, I will baptize my young brother Grant on 10/23.

- Elder Daniel Samons