Scriptural
Age of Accountability
Is child baptism Scriptural? At what age does the Bible
consider one an adult, and a candidate for immersion?
________________________________
Jews Hold Bar-Mitzvah at 13
Luke chapter 2 relates how Yahshua was left
behind by His parents in
Some groups immerse young people at the
early age of 10 or 12. It is difficult to find Biblical justification to
immerse at that age. Let us continue considering other examples and
alternatives.
The
Savior Himself did not begin His ministry until He was 30 years of age, right
after His baptism. Early on, the priests began their service at age 30 as well.
Surely at 30 one is mature and responsible
for one’s behavior. Most of us would wonder whether at
30 too many years have already passed before making a commitment to Yahweh.
Does the Bible speak of a younger age?
Differing Ages of Maturity
At what age does Yahweh deem us accountable
for our actions? The Bible speaks of babes not knowing their left hand from
their right. We are also encouraged to be children in attitude and men in
understanding. There is an age when Yahweh considers children no longer
children, but at the acceptable age of understanding.
Yahweh recognizes that a youth has
limitations, as in the following example regarding large amounts: "And the rest of the trees of his
forest shall be few, that a child [lad] may write [record] them." (Isa. 10:19) A young child would be limited in his grasp of large quantities.
This indicates that we comprehend progressively more as we mature in
understanding and discernment, which should be obvious to all.
Admittedly there are those who mature in
the Bible at a young age who realize well beyond their years the seriousness
and the importance of baptism. There are also some who even at the age of 30
have not reached a proper level of maturity.
So
what conclusion can we come to? Thankfully, the Bible does indeed give us an
age in which one is considered accountable for what one does.
Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua understands Scripturally that upon reaching the age of 20, Yahweh
accepts one as being mature and an adult, therefore responsible for one’s
actions. Let us now look at Scriptural support for the age of 20 in Yahweh's
dealings with
Israelites Counted in Census at 20
Israelites were counted in the census
beginning at the age of 20. The first chapter of Numbers deals with the polling
of the various tribes, all counted from 20 years of age and over.
To
indicate those considered a part of the body of
"Every one that passes among them that are numbered, from twenty
years old and above, shall give an offering unto Yahweh." (Ex. 30:14) This "
A Special Group: Ages 20 to 60
Israelites
could dedicate themselves or a member of the family to Yahweh by being slaves
of service in the
Divisions by age groups are given in
Leviticus 27:1-8, with a corresponding monetary value for each group. Yahweh
divides groups from 20 years to 60 years; 5 years to 20 years; from a month
until 5 years; and 60 and above.
In the group of from 20 to 60 years is
placed the highest valuation, down to the poor, for whom the priests determine
the amount that could be afforded. "And
your estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty
years old, even your estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the
shekel of the sanctuary." (Lev. 27:3)
An offering would be appropriate in
dedications today as well, such as when children are dedicated to Yahweh.
Military Service Began at 20
Israelites were considered of age for
military duty when they reached the age of 20. At this age they had matured in
their thinking and could be relied upon to act responsibly and assume military
duty in a trustworthy manner.
"From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in
They then were mature enough to marry and
established their own families apart from the parents.
"And they assembled all the congregation together on the first
[day] of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families,
by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from
twenty years old and upward, by their polls." (Num. 1:18)
Those 20 and Over Were Shut Out
"Your carcases shall fall in this
wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number,
from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against Me," (Num. 14:29).
Numbers 14:2 reveals that "all the
children of
Apparently Yahweh perceives that by age 20
humans are mature and quite aware of consequences for their actions. Those 20
and over were considered adults and responsible for their insurrection against
Yahweh. They had to die off in the wilderness.
When certain Israelites rebelled at
crossing over the
"Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years
old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto
Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed
Me:" (Num. 32:11).
Even though the Israelites were redeemed by
the blood of the lamb and rescued from
Yahweh clearly considers that those who
have reached the age of 20 are mature and accountable. Those 20 and over had to
wander in the wilderness 40 years. They were inexcusable. They were mature, but
had rebelled and had not fully followed Yahweh. Even in their rebellion,
however, a loving Yahweh continued to watch over them, Deuteronomy 8:1-4.
Levites Began Training at 20
Evidence indicates that the Levites began
their training for the priesthood at age 20. They were guided by the older,
experienced Levites during a probationary period of five years, according to
the Companion Bible’s note on Numbers 8:24. After age 50 they served at less
arduous tasks, Numbers 8:25-26.
Numbers 4:1-3 shows that the Levites
initially began duties at age 30, but the age was evidently lowered to 20 by
King David (1Chron. 23:24-26) because Israel was settled in the land, no longer
carrying the tabernacle or vessels, and would permanently dwell in Jerusalem.
"For by the last words of David the Levites [were] numbered from
twenty years old and above:" (1Chron. 23:27).
Upon returning from the Babylonian
captivity, the repatriated Jews again took up pure worship. Levites 20 years or
more were in charge of restoring the house of Yahweh:
"Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of Elohim at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel,
and Jeshua the son of Jozadak,
and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they
that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites,
from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of
Yahweh." (Ezra 3:8)
Numbers 14:22 recounts the anger of Yahweh
over
This is probably the most revealing of
Yahweh’s determination of the age of accountability. Upon reaching 20 years of
age, most are willing to settle down and put away childish things. As Paul
says,
"When I was a child, I spake as a child,
I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put
away childish things." (1Cor.
13:11)
Upon being immersed into Yahshua’s name, he
or she is expected to follow in the footsteps of Yahshua and be an example to
the world. We are to repent of our past life and stop doing those things that
offend Yahweh and we are to keep His law. It is through obedience we are molded
into the image of the Pattern Son and acceptable through Him.
Even though Yahweh swore that those 20
years and over would not enter the Promised Land because of their constant
murmuring and rebellion, He ensured the younger generation that they would be
under His loving protection: "But
your little ones, which you said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and
they shall know the land which you have despised." (Numbers 14:31)
Moses repeated the covenant to
This new generation had been protected and
guided by Yahweh throughout the 40 years wandering in the wilderness. The new
generation is reminded: "And I have
led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you,
and your shoe is not waxen old upon your foot." (Deut. 29:5) Their
clothes did not get old, and their shoes did not wear out. He continues to
protect His "little ones" even today.
Immersion for the Mature
The question arises concerning those who
have not reached the age of 20, should they not be baptized when they profess
to believe in Yahweh and want to be baptized, sometimes along with their
family?
It has been our experience that often
children are susceptible to mere emotions of the moment and desire to be a part
of the activities only for fear of being "left out."
The Bible clearly records that only those
who were mature adults were immersed, but some groups force into the reading of
"household" the inclusion of children.
The example of Stephanus (1Cor. 1:16) is later explained by the statement that the house of Stephanus had "addicted themselves to the ministry of
the saints" (1Cor. 16:15). The Greek text indicates that they were mature,
evidently over 20 years of age, serving the saints as deacons.
If
there is but one believer in the house, Yahweh promises His protection upon
that house, and the underage children are acceptable to Him:
"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the
unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean;
but now are they holy." (1Cor.
7:14) The NIV Bible note explains, "Some believe that such children are
called holy because they are included with their parents in the new covenant in
[Messiah] just as the children of Abraham were included in the covenant with
their father (and so were circumcised)."
An Israelite was born into the family and
circumcision was a sign that he was a son of the Covenant through Abraham. The
Old Testament is an account of Israelites who were born into the family as
babes and grew up in the religion of Israel.
Conversion Requires A Mature Mind
Immersion is a decision arrived at only by
the mature who are determined to walk in the footsteps of Yahshua, the Head of
the body, the rest of their lives. It is not a light matter, but a lifelong
commitment from which there is no turning back, Luke 9:62, Hebrews 6:4-6,
10:26-31.
While we do not baptize babies or children,
we do dedicate them to Yahweh in prayer, petitioning Him to watch over these
not yet of age. Dedication of the young is certainly appropriate as we read in
1Samuel chapter one. Those too young for baptism into Yahshua’s Name should be
dedicated to Yahweh to be under His care and protection until maturity when
they can decide to be baptized. It is only through Yahshua that we receive the
blessings promised to Abraham as well as eternal life, Galatians 3:29, to
become a child of the King.
If you have not already taken the step, what
hinders you to be baptized? (Write for our mini-study, Why Be Baptized Into the
Name of Yahshua?)
© 2007 Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua
2963 County Road 233, Kingdom City, Missouri 65262
View us online at: www.YAIY.org
Call Toll Free:
Main Line:
|
||
|