baptisminf

What does baptism mean?

Baptism is a sign of God’s forgiveness of humankind in which we share together. Baptism is a sign of being linked so closely with Jesus Christ that his life is at work in us. Baptism is also a sign that, because we are united with Christ, we are part of the Christian community.

Why baptise children?

We read the promise of Peter being “to you and your children”. We read in the bible of the whole family being baptised. We know that Jesus welcomed little children and we cannot believe that he does not make a place for them through this sacrament to share fully in the life of his church. We believe that you and your children need this assurance and were meant to have it.

At the same time we recognise that there are Christian believers who, in good faith, do not wish their children to be baptised until those children have come to faith themselves. This is a perfectly valid option for Christian believers. There is no question of children having to be baptised before they can be involved in the life and worship of the church family. At the same time, the promises of God are there to be accepted in baptism, at whatever age.

Which children?

The church baptises children when at least one parent is a member or adherent of the church, or where the child is under Christian guardianship. The church believes that those it baptises should have the promise of a Christian upbringing so that they can be expected in due course to take for themselves the promises made on their behalf and to profess the faith in which they were baptised.

Baptism marks the beginning of a process. It is not finished the day your child is baptised, but continues until your child (at whatever age), comes to faith and takes Jesus Christ as her or his own Lord and Saviour. This means that having your child baptised lays important obligations upon the parents and upon the church. We trust, too, that God also takes his part.

If you are not as yet a member of the church and wish your child to be baptised, we are in no way saying that your child cannot be baptised. We think you are doing the best you can for your child by thinking about baptism. But what about yourself? Do you think a personal faith in Jesus Christ might be right for you?

The Minister is happy to discuss with you anything to do with trusting Jesus and following him closely in life. In fact, if you would even like to hear the basic claims of Jesus Christ (and Christianity) for yourself, this can easily be arranged. Then you can make up your own mind.

The Parents’ responsibility

It is because of this continued learning by your child about God’s goodness and loving forgiveness we ask you to profess your faith again as your child is brought for baptism. At baptism you offer to God the new life of the child he has given you, and you promise to bring your family up in the Christian faith. You are to be the channel of God’s grace to your child, your love and correction a small picture of God’s own love and correction. It is through your faith that his or her faith will grow; as you pray with him, that prayer will have meaning for him; as you worship with her, that she will worship too; as you speak of Christianity, that he will begin to understand it. At baptism the promise of God’s help for you is renewed and you are assured again that Jesus is with you by his Spirit to help you in all your responsibilities.

The Congregation’s responsibilities

The congregation too has its responsibility. As a sign of this, baptism normally takes place during public worship in front of the congregation. As a sign of these responsibilities, the members stand with you during your child’s baptism, for they have professed the same faith. Within the church family, in Sunday School and Bible Class and by other means, the congregation will help to provide for your child’s Christian growth. We hope that you will take these opportunities, and that since you are members not just of one congregation, but of Christ’s church, you will make full use of them wherever you may settle in years to come.

God’s work

Baptism is not a guarantee the child will thrive, nor is it a charm to shield the child from danger. It is not essential to salvation, as if a child who were not baptised were condemned by God. But it is the way God has chosen to strengthen us in Christian living, to encourage parents and children in faith. It is Christ’s sacrament. The church administers it in his name. This is what gives it such value for us. It says to us that God loves this child, that Jesus’ love enfolds this child. This child belongs within the Christian family. It declares God’s intention, and ours, that our children should grow to be adult Christian believers, knowing God’s way to live and receiving help for their whole lives. Baptism carries the promise that Jesus’ blessing is upon our children as it was upon the children of Jerusalem in the gospel story.

The Baptismal service

The baptism takes place during public worship. This will normally be towards the end of a Sunday morning service, but it may be possible for alternative arrangements to be made. Normally the father, who sits through the service, comes down to join his wife and child during the singing of the baptismal hymn. The child is then baptised by the minister, who shows the church family its new member!

Since baptism is a church celebration, we would be very pleased if you agreed to have a simple but special time for tea and cake after the service. We can arrange for members of the congregation to bake cakes so that we can all get together for a short time to enjoy one another’s company. Some people do have their own get-together, and if you are planning your own celebration we hope family and friends would be happy

Baptism of a child (infant baptism)

stkentigern.org.uk