Quote:
Originally Posted by armourbearer  If you allow a two year old to be baptised on profession of faith in Christ, is he then admitted to the table? |
If a two year old can produce a clear profession of faith then he can examine himself imho, but I've not yet met a two year old who can (I am not saying I deny that such a two year old exists!)
Back to the thread question, I don't hold to a waiting period. The only waiting period I could conceive of would be if someone's profession was obviously faulty or contradicted by their lifestyle in which case further time would be needed to challenge these contradictions. These days, though, it is rare that someone just pops up, professes Christ instantly, and wants baptism. Usually we know the person, they may come to church for some time, and we can most often see for ourselves that God has changed them perhaps even before they confess it.
In my case, I had been 'seeking' for a year or so, and I had been to see the Pastor a few times about it. So, when in May 1992 I made a final and clear profession along the lines of 'I know for sure that I am born again, I trust only in Christ's work on Calvary's cross, etc' I was baptised within a month, at the next available baptism date.
I still have the white socks I was required to wear that evening. Only they are not so white any more!
Back to the second part of the question - what is a credible profession? One that is not openly contradicted by obvious sin, one that is unreserved, and one that shows understanding of the basis of your salvation. A profession of faith is just that - of faith IN Christ Jesus and what He has done.
JH