What About Baptism
Baptism is one of only two sacraments recognized by our reformed Presbyterian tradition…one of the two actions Jesus specifically commanded us to do in the Gospel of Matthew 28: 19-20.
At baptism, we remember, celebrate and respond to God’s covenant of love and care for us. Through this sacramental act, and through the vows made by parents and the congregation, God’s presence becomes more real and understandable. We become engaged to be instruments in the child’s growth in Christ. Baptism signifies union with Christ and the church, incorporating the child into the life of the faith community.
Baptism is a gift from God, a sign that he has already, through Christ, redeemed us. God loves and embraces us even before we can understand or have faith, and despite who we are. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, we are infants in the faith, called to grow and mature into full stature with Christ.
Baptism is a public act, and takes place as part of the regular service of worship.
At baptism, we remember, celebrate and respond to God’s covenant of love and care for us. Through this sacramental act, and through the vows made by parents and the congregation, God’s presence becomes more real and understandable. We become engaged to be instruments in the child’s growth in Christ. Baptism signifies union with Christ and the church, incorporating the child into the life of the faith community.
Baptism is a gift from God, a sign that he has already, through Christ, redeemed us. God loves and embraces us even before we can understand or have faith, and despite who we are. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, we are infants in the faith, called to grow and mature into full stature with Christ.
Baptism is a public act, and takes place as part of the regular service of worship.
The Parents, the Congregation, and Vows:Vows taken by parents at baptism reflect their knowledge that their child is a gift of God…a grateful response. Parents commit to helping their child know God’s love and thus the requirement that at least one parent be a professing member of the Christian church makes sense. Usually membership is within the church in which the baby is baptized. As baptism is a reception of the baby into the fellowship of a church community, that fellowship is enacted through the ongoing prayers of the congregation and encouragement of the child to support their growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
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Living Faitha statement of Christian belief by the Presbyterian Church in Canada, says this about baptism:
Baptism is a sign and seal of our union with Christ and with his church. Through it we share in the death and resurrection of Christ and are commissioned to his service. In Baptism, water is administered in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The water signifies the washing away of sin, the start of new life in Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit. By the power of the Holy Spirit, God acts through Baptism. It is the sacrament not of what we do, but of what God has done for us in Christ. God’s grace and our response to it are not tied to the moment of Baptism, but continue and deepen throughout life. It is a sacrament meant for those who profess their faith and for their children. Together we are a family of God. Baptism is also an act of discipleship that requires commitment and looks towards growth in Christ. Those baptized in infancy are called in later years to make personal profession of Christ. What is born may die. What is grafted may wither. Congregations and those baptized must strive to nurture life in Christ. Baptism assures that we belong to God. In life and in death our greatest comfort is that we belong to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ. |
Steps toward baptism:A request comes to the Minister from parents of an infant or from an adult desiring to be baptized. The minister informs Session and the request is celebrated!
Approval is granted from Session for the Sacrament of Baptism, guided by the following three options:
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