SCRIPTURAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A CHRISTIAN

HEARING

Romans 10:14 - How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not  believed?  And how shall they believe in Him whom they have  not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?

This verse states hearing is essential in the processing of redemption.  For if there is no hearing, then there could be no belief.  The question is, "Can an infant hear?"  Well, yes he can, but he surely cannot understand what he hears.


FAITH/BELIEF

Does a baby have assurance and conviction in Jesus?

Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of  Christ.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction  of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who  comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a  rewarder of those who seek Him.

John 20:31 - Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the  presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus  is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have  life in His name.

There are several facts that are brought forth in these scriptures and they are as follows:

1.  Both Romans 10:14, 17 and John 20:31 show that faith is an outgrowth of hearing the
    word of God.

2.  Also faith has in it, both assurance and conviction.

3.  Without faith it is impossible to please Him.

4.  He who comes to God must believe that He is.

5.  He must believe that He is a rewarder of those who seek  Him.

Clearly faith/belief result because a person makes a decision based on knowledge resulting in hope, assurance and conviction knowing that he will be rewarded.  The question here is, "Can an infant have faith?  I don't see how.


REPENTANCE

What does a baby have to repent of?

Luke 24:47 - and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be  proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from  Jerusalem.

II Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow about His promise as some count slowness,  but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but  for all to come to repentance.

II Cor. 7:9-10 - I rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful to the point of  repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will  of God, in order that you might not suffer loss in anything  through us.  For the sorrow that is according to the will of  God produces a repentance without regret leading to salvation;  but the sorrow of the world produces death.


CONFESSION

Can a baby confess with his mouth and does he believe in his heart that
God raised Him from the dead?

Romans 10:8-10 - But what does it say?  "The word is near you, in your mouth  and in your heart" that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord,  and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,  you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes to  righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, to salvation.

Matthew 10:32-33 - Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will  also confess him before My father who is in heaven.  But  whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before  My Father who is in heaven.


BAPTISM

The last thing a person must do to receive salvation is to be baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of his sins so that he will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The question is, "Can an infant be baptized?"  Well, yes, he can.  But can he believe and repent?

Mark 16:15-16 - And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the  gospel to all creation.  He who has believed and has been  baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be  condemned.

Acts 2:38 - And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be  baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of  your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

The last thing a person must do to receive salvation is to be baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of his sins so that he will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The question is, "Can an infant be baptized?"  Well, yes, he can.  But can he believe and repent?


FAITH AND BAPTISM

Can a baby have "faith in the working of God  when he is being baptized?

Faith is an essential part of baptism.  In fact, it is so essential that without it, baptism is worthless.  Note what Colossians 2:11-12 states.

Col. 2:11-12 - And in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made  without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the  circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism  in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the  working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

A baby cannot have faith in the working of God.  Again, in all parts of our salvation, faith is an essential ingredient.  As we remember, faith comes from hearing.  This being true, an infant and younger children cannot have knowledge and therefore cannot have faith.  If it cannot have faith, then, baptism will do it no good at all.  Again, Jesus took care of it all, though, when He said in Mark 10:14-15

Mark 10:14-15 - "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."

Jody, if you have any other questions, please do not hesitate in asking.

God bless you!!!!!!!

                              In the Service of Christ,
                              Wayne