Apostolic Friends Forum - Mentally Challenged: What about salvation?

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Mentally Challenged: What about salvation?

Serious question here, folks...

Got a lady who, for all practical purposes, has such a dimished capacity mentally that I'm not sure she would ever really understand the concepts of Baptism in Jesus Name or receiving the Holy Ghost. Yet, in her defense, there are those in her family that want to see her baptized.

Odd? Perhaps. But they know that we, as a movement, believe that one must be baptized in Jesus Name. However, as I stated before, she has no concept to equate with such an action.

While I know where I, personally, stand this leaves me to answer the requests of this family. My question is this...

* While I know what I believe I wonder what others think about the mentally ill and their need to obey the plan of salvation as spelled out in Acts 2:38?

* Have any of you heard of those who believe that the severely mentally handicapped are lost without obedience to God's Word?

* How do we reconcile a lack of obedience to Acts 2:38 and the
subsequent belief that one (even in that condition) can be saved without it?

Again, I know my answers but I want to know the perception of others so as to help me address the concerns of this family.

Any takers?

Haven't we heard about an age of accountability? Maybe some haven't reached this age nor may ever reach this age.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jekyll (Post 358580)

Haven't we heard about an age of accountability? Maybe some haven't reached this age nor may ever reach this age.

In the case of the mentally challenged, however, wouldn't it be a 'stage of accountability' instead of an 'age'?

Here is the crux of the dilemma... some will see our view of that as being inconsistent on our New Birth convictions.

This is one of those things where God is the Judge. Physically, you can have a 21 year old who only operates, mentally, as a 2 year old.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steadfast (Post 358576)

Does this mentally challenged person believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

I hate to fall back on the terms "One Steppers" and "Three Steppers" but maybe such broad categories are helpful in untangling this, though I don't profess to have the definitive answers.

If faith saves us, as the "One Steppers" would say, then the only real issue is one of accountability. Given the condition of the individual then we are most probably dealing with someone who is "under grace." That is, the have the same judgment as an innocent child.

If baptism in water in Jesus' name itself effects some act of grace by remitting sins as a "Three Stepper" would say, then the baptism of this person would bring her into the same grace.

Of course most would probably want to add that her faith and obedience in the act of baptism and not just the water is what remits sin. Then we are back to the question of the individual's capacity to reason and to have faith. And so, she is in the condition that is often referred to as "under grace." She has the innocence of a small child.

Now, carrying through with the baptism in spite of the imponderables may also be beneficial in other ways. Showing her the same respect that is given to other members of the congegation may open doors among unsaved family members and others in the community. Seeing "grace" being conferred by a local church and pastor to an innocent person may open them to the idea that the same grace is available to them.

If God can save Amway salesmen, God can save this mentally challenged person.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OP_Carl (Post 358602)

If God can save Amway salesmen, God can save this mentally challenged person.

Where you been hiding bro?

I don't believe a severly mentally handicapped person is lost for disobedience, if they don't understand how can they disobey? But I also believe God could open her mind for her family's obedience, and fill her with the Holy Ghost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cneasttx (Post 358605)

Jesus made the dumb (mute) to speak . . .