| We generally do not baptize teens or adults who have no desire or intention of learning what the Bible teaches. Following the example of the New Testament Church in Acts, it is our normal practice to instruct teens and adults before baptizing them. Although the efficacy of Baptism lies in the power of God's Word and promise connected with the water and is not contingent on anything in us, we want adults to understand what they are receiving in Baptism and what it means to be a member of God's family. Certainly those who want to be baptized will also want to know not only what the Bible says about Baptism, but also what God reveals about himself and his plan of salvation, about sin and grace, redemption and justification, faith and the means of grace, and the sanctified Christian life. Those who clearly have no interest in learning the precious truths of salvation are also showing an improper attitude toward God's promises in Baptism and a faulty understanding of the purpose of Baptism.. To baptize a person who clearly has no interest in what God says would be an act of hypocrisy and would be contrary to God's Word (Matthew 7:6).
|