We move this week and then again in two weeks to a very delicate topic – the salvation of our children.

No other context has blurred the picture of this sensitive area more than the topic of my last three articles – the altar-call. Why? Because it seems that children are most often the ones who respond so unhesitatingly to this Biblically deficient, relentless, and emotionally-charged method of revival-ism. Many of our little ones are so easily manipulated into making public-professions of faith through this evangelistic method (e.g. They are encouraged to “Just invite Jesus into your heart,” instead of instructed to “ask Jesus for a new heart” – Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Can you can see that there’s a big difference between these two requests?

Further, children are very easily swayed and convinced by the persuasive skills of those who are trying to get them to make the “right” decision (often by leading them in “the sinner’s prayer,” instead of calling them “to pray a prayer of repentance and trust in Christ” as you silently pray for and with them – Romans 8:26).

The children who do and respond to the “former” points in both of the illustrations above are then quickly baptized (usually the very evening of the day of their profession, without having to give testimony to their conversion). Soon thereafter, these little ones or young people, enter the difficult teenage years (Ecclesiastes 12:1), and then return to the same cycle of confusion at their very first youth rally or retreat, or when they attend the annual week of summer camp. Sadly, many of these same young people are often plagued with a lack of assurance of their salvation throughout their teenage years (1 John 5:13), and some are even into their adulthood. When there’s a chronic repeating of this predictable salvation decision-cycle, it’s an indication that they have neither understood the gospel, nor the true meaning of baptism.

Am I saying that children, even young children, cannot be saved? No way! Am I saying that children, even young children, cannot be true recipients of believers/professors/confessors baptism? No way again! Rather, I am soberly suggesting that we be very careful to not put our little ones in such vulnerable circumstances, but use all of God’s ordained “means” to reach them with the gospel. Which are the “means” of: [1] Consistent parental love and discipline (Ephesians 6:4); [2] A godly home environment (Deuteronomy 6:4); [3] Lively and God-centered Family Worship (Psalm 22:27); [4] A Bible-preaching and practicing church, coupled with consistent, thorough, prayerful, patient, and careful Scriptural explanations of the gospel (from both the pulpit and the pew) of Christ’s command to every believer to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20).

So then, let us aim to not place our children into decisionistic places of worship, but instead to praise God for Sovereignly placing them within the proximity, and privilege of gospel influence (1 Corinthians 7:14). Oh let us use all of God’s means coupled with our parental tears, all the while knowing that God will always act justly toward our dear children (Genesis 18:25; Deuteronomy 32:4). For truly, whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be says (Romans 10:13)!

Jerry Marcellino is pastor of Audubon Drive Bible Church in Laurel. He can be reached by e-mail at pastorjerry@audubonchurch.org. For more information on Audubon Drive Bible Church, or to view Pastor Marcellino’s sermons online, visit: http://www.youtube.com/adbcvideoministry.