Age of Accountability

This booklet was written to help answer the kinds of questions that often come up when young people
are interested in being baptized. Such questions have arisen in every congregation where I have ever
preached or attended. I am quite certain that they have been asked in your congregation, as well.
The main question is, “When is a person old enough to be baptized”? A second, and intimately related
question is, “How can you tell whether they are old enough to be baptized”? These questions naturally
arise among people who reject infant baptism in favor of believer’s baptism. It is an especially relevant
discussion for those of us who believe that baptism is essential for salvation.
It seems obvious that there are two basic errors that you can fall into in approaching a subject like this.
The first is to baptize people too soon. That is, before they understand what it’s all about and before
they are ready to accept the responsibility that goes along with baptism. The second is the opposite end
of the spectrum; they wait too long to baptize. That is, to delay beyond the time when there is
understanding and acceptance of responsibility, which includes repentance.
The first error is problematic in that it can give a false sense of security to those who were baptized
without understanding. However, the second can lead to a number of potential problems including
discouragement, lost time in service to the Lord, and even dying outside of Christ.