Does admitting children to the Lord’s Supper square with the Reformed Confessions?
This subject certainly will be part of the debate and discussion that we must have. The Heidelberg Catechism, Q/A 81 and 82 and Belgic Confession of Faith, art. 35 are the portions that most directly address this practice. Professor Lyle Bierma of Calvin Theological Seminary admits that at first glance, these portions of the confessions appear to prohibit the entrance of children to the Lord’s Table. But he goes on to say that if we study them more carefully and consider their intent, we must admit that the confessions were concerned about something other than admitting children to the Lord’s Table. They were concerned not so much about children but about fencing the table against the ungodly and unrepentant who were mature enough to believe but willfully refused to do so. In addition, At the same time, the confessions suggest that both of the sacraments are a sign and seal of the promises of God (that is, receiving the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit), to the whole
