RE: Re: Baptism, how to explain

[Guest guest]

Hi Debi,

In the christian denomination I belong to, people are not allowed to be baptised

until they are at least 8 years old. This is because they are supposed to be

able to understand what they are doing and choosing to be a part of, and they

are in deed supposed to make this choice themselves and not be coerced into it.

My daughter is 7 and in this next year many of her peers will also be getting

baptized. I have asked some leaders in our church, what their take was on it.

They said that their is no reason for me to push her into baptism at the age of

8 if she does not understand what she is doing and that God does not require the

outward showing of giving our will to him and Jesus Christ from someone who is

unable to comprehend this. SO, until she is able to comprehend it, they do not

feel that I should push her, because it will mean a lot more to her when and if

she can comprehend it someday to make the choice herself.

However, they said that if she wants to and she is excited about it and she asks

me if she can, even if I think she is not ready or understanding it, that it

really is her choice and she may understand and just can't tell me. So, I have

determined that when she turns eight, if she wants to and pushes it, I will let

her, and if she doesn't I won't really bring it up or talk about it, until she

notices it and wants to know more or ask more.

I may try to write a little social story explaining it for her and try teaching

it to her, but if she doesn't understand or want to, I would not push her to try

to understand and if she wants to, and still doesn't understand, then I am sure

Jesus and God would not object

That being said, I know that you would never push her either, I am sure that you

will do the best thing and maybe when I write up my social story for Chantelle

than I will share it with you, but that won't be for quite sometime now, as I am

working on one for Moving right now first and a lot of other stuff. Sorry!

Sincerely, Esther

Subject: RE: Re: Baptism, how to explain

To: Autism_in_Girls

Date: Thursday, September 11, 2008, 4:04 AM

Very well said!

Don

The Whole Truth

Nothing But the Truth

So Help Me God...

_____

From: Autism_in_Girls@ yahoogroups. com

[mailto:Autism_in_Girls@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of jacksonwyattmoore

Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 6:55 AM

To: Autism_in_Girls@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: Re: Baptism, how to explain

>

> Hey all, my oldest will be getting baptized this weekend. We attend a

> Christian church that is probably closest related to a Baptist

> denomination. I'm wanting to get ahead of this, I'm thinking when Jess

> is baptized it could provoke a request from Allie. Any of you deal

> with similar things? If so, mind sharing how you dealt with it? Please

> feel free to email off-list if you would feel better.

>

> TIA,

> Debi

>

A tough one! For many denominations a sacrament like baptism is the

outward sign of an inward reality. Your oldest has decided to follow

Jesus. Jesus said that people who choose to follow him should be

baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (See

the end of and parts of the Book of Acts).

Your oldest shows her choice by being baptized in the Church. It's not

like taking a swim in the neighborhood pool. The baptism represents a

washing away of her sins through Jesus, a promise to resist sin and,

when she does sin (because we all do!), to repent and return to the

Lord.

I'm not sure this helps, but maybe it will spark an idea of how to

explain it better than I have.