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Romans 9:11-21 (Amplified Bible)

11And the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out God's purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls [them],

12It was said to her that the elder [son] should serve the younger [son].

13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (held in relative disregard in comparison with My feeling for Jacob).

14What shall we conclude then? Is there injustice upon God's part? Certainly not!

15For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion (pity) on whom I will have compassion.

16So then [God's gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God's mercy. [It depends not on one's own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God's having mercy on him.]

17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, I have raised you up for this very purpose of displaying My power in [dealing with] you, so that My name may be proclaimed the whole world over.

18So then He has mercy on whomever He wills (chooses) and He hardens (makes stubborn and unyielding the heart of) whomever He wills.

19You will say to me, Why then does He still find fault and blame us [for sinning]? For who can resist and withstand His will?

20But who are you, a mere man, to criticize and contradict and answer back to God? Will what is formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me thus?

21Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same mass (lump) one vessel for beauty and distinction and honorable use, and another for menial or ignoble and dishonorable use?

I've read and understand the arguments for the "age of accountability."

I don't believe in baptismal regeneration.

I try not to be emotionally humanistic.

And I have come to decide that for me and my family, the reformed doctrines most closely reveal the truth of the Holy Scriptures.

But with saying all of this.... this subject a lot like the subject of baptism isn't black and white and it's always going cause heated debate in the body.

As a reformed believer, I have to believe that God chooses who are the elect. So the way I approach it is that I pray earnestly for my own children, asking God to effectually work in their hearts, but also accepting that His will, will be done. And I pray earnestly for others; during infant baptisms, during confirmation and when ever the Spirit leads me to pray.

What I try to keep in mind when it comes to issues like baptism, age of accountability, ordained woman ministers and such is not necessarily the individual significance but how my doctrinal decisions on tough issues pertains to the whole of scripture and to the life of the church. Sometimes on tough issues like these, we have to really rely on the "whole counsel of God" to help us in our final analysis.

Y.B.I.C,

Dave.

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. - Galatians 2:16