'Raise Your Hand if You Want to Ask Jesus Into Your Heart'
Addressing the Issues with Invitations of Salvation for Young Children
Inviting young children to "ask Jesus into their hearts" or raise their hands for salvation during Vacation Bible School (VBS), good news camps, or religious clubs is a common practice in many Christian settings. You’ll hear “pastors” or camp leaders say “We had a number of children who asked Jesus to come into their hearts this week”.
While these invitations are often well-intentioned, they raise several important concerns. It is crucial to examine these issues in light of scripture and ensure that our methods align with biblical teachings.
1. Lack of Scriptural Basis
The Bible does not support the concept of salvation through asking Jesus into one's heart or by simply saying a prayer.
Instead, scripture outlines a clear process for salvation that includes belief, repentance, confession, baptism, and living faithfully:
Belief: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16, NKJV).
Repentance: "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, NKJV).
Confession: "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9, NKJV).
Baptism: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38, NKJV).
Living Faithfully: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10, NKJV).
2. Comprehension of Sin
Young children often lack a full understanding of sin, which is defined as a transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4, NKJV). It is crucial to consider whether children can truly comprehend when they are sinning against God and understand the gravity of their actions.
3. Understanding Repentance
Repentance involves a heartfelt recognition of sin and a commitment to turn away from it. It is doubtful that young children possess the maturity to grasp this concept fully:
4. Confessing Jesus as Lord
Confessing Jesus as Lord is a profound declaration that requires an understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him. This understanding may be beyond the reach of young children:
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9, NKJV).
5. Understanding Baptism
Baptism is not merely a ritual but a significant act of obedience and identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It involves a level of understanding and commitment that young children may not yet possess:
"Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4, NKJV).
6. Living Faithfully
Living faithfully as a Christian requires continual growth in God's Word, prayer, and obedience. It demands a dedication to studying and meditating on scripture:
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2, NKJV).
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV).
Don’t Lead Them Astray with False Teaching
It is problematic and misleading to tell children they can simply ask Jesus into their hearts and that there is nothing they can do to lose that salvation. We must be diligent in teaching our children the biblical plan of salvation, allowing God's Word to draw them as they grow and become accountable. As they mature, they will be able to understand and respond to the gospel fully, making a sincere commitment to follow Christ.
By grounding our teaching in scripture and focusing on a comprehensive understanding of salvation, we can guide our children toward a genuine and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ.