How do we know for sure that the mentally disabled don’t need to be baptized?
Question:
Hello,
I have a question.
How do we know for sure that the mentally disabled don’t need to be baptized? Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about them being baptized nor not being. A lot of people use the Scriptures and of the disciples not letting the children come to see him, and he rebukes them and tells them to let them come to me for the kingdoms is theirs, but it never speaks of disabled people. Now he also says of the blind man that he is blind not for anyone’s sin but to show the works of God, but again never speaks of baptism.
And as far as more scripture there are none that speak really positive about people with disabilities, in fact, they are often on the streets with beggars and the like. Also in the Old Testament, God didn’t want anyone with any kind of deformity to serve or do anything in the temple. He wanted unblemished things.
So if these people are so pure and innocent why are they basically banned from serving and helping God and treated as outcasts? People threw them out on the street. They never singled them out as individuals needing special care or treatment.
I am worried because everyone says they're innocent and that may be, but children grow and need to be baptized and without clear direction how do we know for sure? I don’t want my daughter not making it to heaven because I just blew off baptism because everyone else said she didn’t need to be?
Thank you!
Answer:
May I ask you to consider: Why do you think it is your position to decide whether your daughter is baptized or not? Is it not her decision? No one is forced to be baptized for their own good. People are always urged to give their life to Christ. "And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, 'Be saved from this perverse generation!' So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:40-41). No one prevents your daughter from deciding to put on Christ. But if your daughter is not able to hear the words of God and make her own decision to believe and express a desire to be baptized, then she is like every other child (regardless of what her actual physical age is). "Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it" (Deuteronomy 1:39). This was true of the promised land and I believe it remains true of the land of heaven.
I know many physically and mentally handicapped people who freely chose to become Christians. They are welcomed and they are an important part of the kingdom.
Jesus spoke to many disabled people, and he cured them. The blind man did not remain blind. But at that time he lived under the Old Law. You and I don't know if he later was baptized or not. I would assume that if he lived to the time the church started that he would have eagerly accepted baptism. The command of baptism is generally given to all people (Matthew 28:19-20) -- people with handicaps are still people and are still commanded to be baptized.
It is easy to forget, but the apostle Paul had a thorn in his flesh that he had to live with (II Corinthians 12:7). He also hints that he had trouble seeing (Galatians 4:15; 6:11). But Paul did not let his physical problems stop him. "I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself" (Galatians 4:12-14).
Then there was Moses who had difficulty speaking. "Then Moses said to the LORD, 'Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue'" (Exodus 4:10).
These are two that are actually mentioned. It would be a mistake to assume others did not serve God because of personal hindrances. Rather, these two show that people gave their all.
Handicapped people were not to be mistreated. "You shall not curse a deaf man, nor place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall revere your God; I am the LORD" (Leviticus 19:14). "'Cursed is he who misleads a blind person on the road.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen'" (Deuteronomy 28:18). Now, did some people violate God's law? Yes, but that doesn't mean all handicapped people were outcasts.
It is true that God required the priests who served in the tabernacle to be without defects. It is the same reason that what was offered to God were to be without defect. People don't value defects as much as things without defects. You pay more for a brand-new car than one that has been in an accident. God wanted Israel to realize that He deserves their best, both in what they offered and in those who served God. "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to Aaron, saying, 'No man of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect shall approach to offer the food of his God. For no one who has a defect shall approach: a blind man, or a lame man, or he who has a disfigured face, or any deformed limb, or a man who has a broken foot or broken hand, or a hunchback or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye or eczema or scabs or crushed testicles. No man among the descendants of Aaron the priest who has a defect is to come near to offer the LORD'S offerings by fire; since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the food of his God. He may eat the food of his God, both of the most holy and of the holy, only he shall not go in to the veil or come near the altar because he has a defect, so that he will not profane My sanctuaries. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them'" " (Leviticus 21:16-23). Notice no one was forbidden from worshipping or forbidden from partaking of the offerings, they were only forbidden from offering the sacrifices to God. The priests were representing Israel in their offerings to God. The lack of defect was to symbolize approaching God without sin. Later, Jesus Christ becomes our High Priest -- he who was without defect and without sin.
