At What Age Should a Person Be Baptized?

Every so often the question arises: \\“At what age should a person be baptized?\\” I was faced with this question in the first place I preached when an 8-year-old lad wanted to be baptized. When questioned as to the purpose for being baptized, he had no clue. I told him and the congregation that we would study the matter further. His family was absolutely livid with rage that I had not immersed him immediately, but his answers to questions made it clear he did not know the reason he needed to be baptized.

That is not to say that at age 8 someone might not know intellectually that sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus in baptism (Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5). In fact, some know it—and could teach others at age 5 or 6. But that does not mean that youths should be baptized on that basis alone—especially since they do not yet have the ability to comprehend what sin is. I cannot speak for others, but in my own case, I reached a higher level of understanding than previously possessed at about 9 years of age—and another plateau at age 14.

However, this article does not concern itself with a minimum age for obeying the gospel (which may vary with the individual) but with an age that is sometimes suggested by members of the church—and that is the age of 20. Obviously, no passage of Scripture declares this to be the correct age; so on what basis do some think baptism should be put off until this age?

First, it should be pointed out that, although sources for this argument differ, the arguments are usually the same. Second, we have no reason to suspect that the material presented comes from other than a sincere heart. Third, however, having granted that possibility does not imply agreement; our intention is to show why the rationale fails. We will refer to those individuals whose thoughts are being refuted as A20, which stands for the contention that a person should not be baptized until age 20.

Adults, Sin, and Salvation

The first theory set forth is that the Bible deals with adults who sin and therefore are in need of salvation. Adam and Eve are sometimes cited, but they could not have sinned when they were children since God created them fully grown. Also, they had no experience with sin—until they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Then they reached a higher level of comprehension—and understood they now were sinners. We do not know what age they had the equivalence of being in human years on the day they were created, but since God told them to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28), they were in their teens or older. They can scarcely qualify as a typical example of needing salvation since they are unique—the only two to come into the world as adults.

Cain killed his innocent brother Abel as an adult. The Bible does not provide an age, but no one would probably challenge the assertion. However, we know that youngsters as young as 10—not to mention older teenagers—have killed others. In fact, in 2016, juveniles were involved in 730 murders in the United States—about 7% of all murders. These are all under the age of 20. So, what merit does citing Cain have?

We might ask, \\“At what age did David kill Goliath?\\” We know he was under the age of 30 (since Saul was still king and not him). We also know he was of marriageable age. But King Saul called him a youth (1 Sam. 17:33). The Hebrew word ranges in meaning from \\“lad\\” to \\“young man.\\” David could have been 17 or 25, but does it matter? At either of those ages, he had the ability to kill Goliath (between his skill and his trust in God).

Manasseh became king at age 12, and \\“he did evil in the sight of the Lord…\\” (2 Chron. 33:1-2). Nothing is said about him beginning to be evil at age 20. Also, some of the kings married before the age of 20. Josiah, for example, was 39 when he died (2 Kings 22:1), and his son Jehoahaz began to reign at the age of 23 (2 Kings 23:31), which means that Josiah became a father at the age of 16. But Jehoahaz was not the oldest son. Jehoiakim began reigning a few months after his brother was deposed, and he was 25—thus making Josiah about 15 when he was born. If marrying age means someone is not a child, then Josiah was not a child at age 14.

The Ark

A20 observes that no children were on the ark; the application seems to be that if there had been, we would have a problem saying that babies or children were saved by water. A20 may have a point here: If children were saved by water which is a type of baptism, then someone would surely use the verse to justify infant baptism. Interesting! But it does not make the case for age 20 since no one under the age of 90 was on board (so far as we know).

Old Testament 20s

Among those who claim that youngsters should wait until 20 to be baptized, the \\“proof\\” seems to come from certain specified passages in the Old Testament. Going chronologically, we find the first mention of that age group mentioned with respect to each man ransoming himself to the Lord, in connection with the census (Ex. 30:11-16, esp. v. 14).

Second, we find in Exodus 38:26 that each man (from 20 years old and upward) gave half a shekel in connection with the census being taken. This may refer to the same thing mentioned previously.

In Leviticus 27:3, a male between 20 and 60 was valued at 50 shekels of silver; from birth to the age of 5 the value was 5 shekels; from 5 to 20 the value was 20 shekels; and over 60 the amount diminished to 15. Women had their own valuations.

In Numbers 1:3, only the men from 20 years old and up were counted to go out to battle, and they were to give an offering to the Lord (half a shekel) (this age is mentioned several more times in the chapter). For many years in the United States, this age has been 18.

It is often cited by proponents of the age of twenty that the Levites began their service then, but this claim overlooks Numbers 8:24: \\“This is what pertains to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting\\” (emph. GWS). They retired at age 50. David (presumably with God’s permission) changed this policy 500 years later to the age of 20 (1 Chron. 23:27-32). (See also 2 Chronicles 31:17 and Ezra 3:8.)

All of this information is interesting, but what is the relevancy to the age one can be baptized? Would we want 12-year-olds on the battlefield even though they exhibit patriotism at a younger age? Is there some Scripture that indicates that these ages are a type for when someone should be baptized? Not one of them mentions water, sin, salvation, or the new birth. No connection exists! Furthermore, the age of 20 is so insignificant that it does not appear in the entire New Testament in that regard. The only 20 mentioned anywhere does not refer to age but the number of fathoms Paul’s ship was from the bottom of the sea (Acts 27:28). The reason people resort to the Old Testament to establish their position is that the New Testament says nothing about a required age for baptism.

Jesus

A20 cites Jesus as our role model, commenting that He was baptized at the age of 30. Our first response is, \\“Then, why are people not advocating that everyone wait until the age of 30?\\” What is the magic age for baptizing someone? Is it 20, 25, or 30? He was baptized in order to fulfill all righteousness; have any of His followers ever been baptized for that reason? (This is a rhetorical question, the answer to which is, \\“No.\\”)

The question is sometimes asked, \\“Since He was capable of debating the doctors of the law at age 12, why was He not baptized then?\\” This point should not have been brought up because it destroys the proponent’s case. Jesus did have the mental ability at age 12 to understand abstract thought and concepts. He did understand sin, and if another today had a similar ability (although no one could match the Lord), it would demonstrate he is eligible for baptism. As for why Jesus was not baptized then, He did not need to be because He had no sins, nor was He in danger of eternal punishment. Is there a 12-year-old today who can make the same claim?

Miscellaneous Comments

The point is made that New Testament teachings (such as the parables) are aimed at adults. This is scarcely a bombshell. Our current society focuses a tremendous amount of attention on youngsters, but it has not been this way in the history of the world. Children’s books and those directed at teens have been around a relatively short period of time. Disney only came along in the last century. Women are emphasized more than children are, but how many of them were present on Pentecost? How many women heard the gospel after the men did? Cultures vary, but it does not mean women or children don’t matter just because the emphasis was primarily on men.

Two passages mention both men and women (Acts 5:14; 8:12). The first of these refers to the church in Jerusalem, and it is the first time women are mentioned in connection with obeying the gospel, which may not prove that none became Christians earlier. One cannot infer too much from silence. Yet, since children were not mentioned, it is assumed that none obeyed the gospel. That is not the point of the text; it doesn’t provide a 15-25 category—or any other age breakdown.

Has God ever killed children for their sins? This question has dubious relevance to the matter under discussion, but the answer is, \\“Yes.\\” In fact, 2 Kings 2:23-25 has long been a favorite text of atheists, who argue that God is cruel for killing children. In the King James, those who mocked Elisha are called \\“children.\\” It’s the same word used of Joseph when he was age 17, as well as David when he killed Goliath. It actually refers to a newborn infant on one occasion, but it is most commonly rendered \\“young man,\\” \\“lad,\\” or \\“youth.\\” We do not know what age those 42 youths were. They may well have been in the 16-19 age range, however. The point is that they were old enough to know that what they were doing was wrong and disrespectful.

However, it does not lend credibility to the one arguing for the age of 20 if the contrast is constantly made between adults and children (in this culture) because teenagers fall into a different category—the one under consideration for a reasonable age of baptism. Most youths have the ability to conceptualize beginning around age 12, according to the Internet.

The Danger

A heartbreaking story occurred while we were living in Indiana. A 17-year-old girl was two weeks from graduation when she was struck by a drunk driver (in the afternoon) and killed. Thinking of all the effort that she put forth to get her diploma and all that she would miss out on in life causes great sadness. But it would have been worse if someone had talked her out of obeying the gospel because she was not 20 yet! Especially with no compelling case to do so! If an individual concludes that he was baptized at too early an age, he can be baptized properly later. However, if persuaded to postpone obedience, and death comes early, there is no remedy.