Valid baptism is an act of faith

The Rev. James Taylor, senior pastor, Lawrence Heights Christian Church, 2321 Peterson Road:

Baptism is only for those old enough to believe (Mark 16:16) that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

While infant baptism is popular, there is no New Testament record of any infants being baptized. In fact, infant baptism didn’t begin until the third century, a long time after the last word of Scripture was written. Every teaching relative to infant baptism is to be found outside of the Bible.

Baptism is valid only as an act of faith. Baptism is for those who are capable of understanding its significance (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38).

Baptism is by immersion. Baptism symbolizes the death, burial and the resurrection of Christ, representing our death to sin, burial with Christ and resurrection into new life with him (Romans 6:1-7). For the first 1,300 years of Christianity, the church practiced immersion. It was not until 1311, at the Council of Ravenna, that sprinkling was declared “as good as immersion.”

Baptism is for the remission of sins and the reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

The act of baptism does not save; Christ does (Ephesians 2:8-9). Baptism is demonstration of our acceptance of Christ as savior and Lord (Romans 6:1-5). Baptism is the point in time when we can be confident of God’s forgiveness (1 Peter 3:21). In the New Testament, baptism was performed as soon as someone surrendered to (was able to believe in) Christ (Acts 8:36; Acts 16:33).

– Send e-mail to James Taylor at j.t@lawrence-heights.org.

Baptized receive God’s promise

The Rev. Nancy Thellman, interim associate pastor, Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt.:

It’s ironic that the original baptism takes up only a few lines in the New Testament but whole books are written on the subject to make sure we Christians get our ideas about the baptism just right. Fortunately, God cares more about us than our ideology!

Nevertheless, when the baptism question arises for you and your child, it’s helpful to understand these basics.

For some churches, it’ll only do to wait until a child reaches an age of understanding – that time when they are ready to claim the faith for themselves and make a personal commitment to Christ. In this case, the question “when should I baptize my child?” is moot because it is the child and God who make the decision, not you! This is called “believer’s baptism.”

For others, baptism can take place even before the child is aware of God or faith or church. This “infant baptism” holds the belief that God’s saving grace is ours even before we can understand it. And so the infant is baptized into the family of God with the promise that both parents and congregation will nurture the child in faith.

Either way, baptism is sacred. It’s not about pleasing the grandparents or dusting off the old baptismal gown. It’s about receiving God’s promises and making faithful commitments. Thought about in this way, the real question becomes, “Am I ready for my child to be baptized?”

– Send e-mail to Nancy Thellman at nancythellman@sunflower.com.