Baptism
Baptism is one of two sacraments recognized in our tradition. A sacrament is an act within the church that we see as a visible sign of God’s (often invisible) grace in our lives. We consider baptism as a gift to us from God, a sign and a seal of our common discipleship following Jesus Christ. In that way, baptism brings us into membership within the universal Christian church. But there are other meanings as well. The act of baptism can be seen as a washing away of our sins so that we can judged as worthy to be part of God’s kingdom. And in some ways, baptism is a death to sin and a rebirth in a new way of life.
To us, sacraments are acts that we are instructed to follow in the words of Scripture. In the case of baptism, we see this instruction from Jesus when he commissions his disciples at the end of his ministry in this way:
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:16 – 20, NRSV, emphasis added).
To us, sacraments are acts that we are instructed to follow in the words of Scripture. In the case of baptism, we see this instruction from Jesus when he commissions his disciples at the end of his ministry in this way:
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:16 – 20, NRSV, emphasis added).
In our tradition, we are baptized only once during our lives. We may be baptized as infants, children, or adults. We recognize the Christian baptism of any tradition, so new members in our church need not be re-baptized. If you don’t know if you’ve ever been baptized before (say, as an infant), we can adjust the ceremony to take that doubt into consideration.
Generally, there are three major parts to a baptism ceremony. First, candidates are examined or questioned to determine whether they are freely willing and able to declare their faith in Jesus Christ. Next comes the actual act of baptism, which in our tradition means that the candidates are sprinkled with water by an authorized minister, who says “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Finally, those present offer prayers of thanksgiving and blessing for the person baptized. Since these are public declarations of Christian faith, baptism ceremonies generally take place during regular Sunday worship services, but other arrangements can be made.
When infants or young children are baptized, the parents of those children step forward to speak for their children, promising to raise their children as Christians through their life examples and their teaching. These are important promises, made with real intention and the support of the entire church membership, which is declared during the baptism ceremony.
Let’s take a look at the questions that are asked of candidates for baptism in our tradition:
Generally, there are three major parts to a baptism ceremony. First, candidates are examined or questioned to determine whether they are freely willing and able to declare their faith in Jesus Christ. Next comes the actual act of baptism, which in our tradition means that the candidates are sprinkled with water by an authorized minister, who says “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Finally, those present offer prayers of thanksgiving and blessing for the person baptized. Since these are public declarations of Christian faith, baptism ceremonies generally take place during regular Sunday worship services, but other arrangements can be made.
When infants or young children are baptized, the parents of those children step forward to speak for their children, promising to raise their children as Christians through their life examples and their teaching. These are important promises, made with real intention and the support of the entire church membership, which is declared during the baptism ceremony.
Let’s take a look at the questions that are asked of candidates for baptism in our tradition:
Adults and older Children:
Do you desire to be baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?
Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?
Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?
Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in the Christian faith and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, celebrating Christ’s presence and furthering Christ’s mission in all the world?
Do you believe in God?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?
Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?
Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in the Christian faith and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, celebrating Christ’s presence and furthering Christ’s mission in all the world?
Do you believe in God?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
Infants and Young Children:
For infants and young children, parents (or legal guardians) are asked the same important questions:
Do you desire to have your child baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?
Will you encourage this child to renounce the powers of evil and to receive the freedom of new life in Christ?
Will you teach this child that he (she) may be led to profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciples, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?
Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow with this child in the Christian faith, to help this child to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, by celebrating Christ’s presence, by furthering Christ’s mission in all the world, and by offering the nurture of the Christian church so that she (he) may affirm her (his) baptism?
Do you desire to have your child baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?
Will you encourage this child to renounce the powers of evil and to receive the freedom of new life in Christ?
Will you teach this child that he (she) may be led to profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciples, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?
Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow with this child in the Christian faith, to help this child to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, by celebrating Christ’s presence, by furthering Christ’s mission in all the world, and by offering the nurture of the Christian church so that she (he) may affirm her (his) baptism?
If you’d like to explore the possibilities of baptism in the Christian faith, feel free to contact the pastor for more information. For more information about baptism in our tradition, visit the United Church of Christ website by clicking here.