To baptize or not to baptize?

On Jan. 13 — the Baptism of Our Lord Sunday — baptismal fonts were filled, and worshipers were invited to remember their own baptism. But what does baptism mean? Why are some parents allowing children to decide, when they get older, to be baptized or not? What about families who ask for a baptism but have no ties to a church? How did baptism become a misunderstood sacrament, and is it ever right for a church to say no to a baptismal request? Presbyterians Today takes a closer look.   

EXPLORING OUR DIFFERENCES

A baptism refresher

By David Gambrell | Presbyterians Today

John Ragai

As a sacrament in the Reformed tradition, baptism is a divine and human action.

Baptism is a gracious gift of God, who claims us in love even before we can speak for ourselves. Baptism is also our grateful response, in which we devote our lives to the giver of life.

The theme of covenant is especially important in the Reformed understanding of baptism. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, we are claimed in the covenant of God’s steadfast love. Furthermore, the community of faith witnessing the baptism makes a commitment to guide and nurture this new member of the body of Christ. Baptism thus involves multiple dimensions of promise: God’s promise to us, our promise to God and our promises to one another.

 Out of this strong theme of covenant comes our understanding of baptism as the source or foundation for other commitments in Christian life and ministry, including the promises made at confirmation, ordination and marriage. Just as we rely on God’s grace in baptism, we undertake these new phases and stages in Christian vocation with God’s help.

We understand baptism to be such a serious commitment in Christian life. Baptism is so much more than a way to celebrate a new child. It is the beginning of a new way of life in Jesus Christ, marked by authentic faith, reconciling love, dedicated discipleship and humble service. It takes a community of faith to support and sustain such a way of life. Therefore, the liturgy for baptism includes the affirmation of the session; promises from parents, sponsors or mentors; and questions to the whole congregation.

Baptism is meant to be a life-changing commitment. Yet, in the mystery of our faith, all this serious business starts in the simplest way imaginable — just a little water and a few words, surrounded by the prayers of the people of God. That’s how new life in Christ begins.

The Rev. Dr. David Gambrell is the associate for worship for the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Office of Theology & Worship. 

Learn more

Go to presbyterianmission.org/story/what-presbyterians-believe-the-sacrament-of-baptism

One Presbyterian faith, but sharply different views

I feel that you never know what may bring God into a child’s life. I taught a baptism class to children whose parents were not members of the church. God’s grace is free and changes people. It’s not our place to be super picky.
— Christina Cosby, director of Christian formation, Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, N.Y.

I won’t do a baptism when an adult says they want to “get the baby done.” That’s not enough. I’ve occasionally done a baptism for grandchildren when the family has had a long connection with the church. We also do baptisms in a military community, which means we’re often making promises on the behalf of the larger church. I’ve recently said no to a member’s request for their child. Their understanding is such that I’m sure they don’t care and they will do it themselves down by the river anyway.
— Rev. Mark Peake, First Presbyterian Church, Monterey, Calif.

I used to be incredibly rigid about this kind of thing, whether to baptize or not. But I have witnessed some baptisms that I never would have approved in my early years, which changed my perspective. I believe baptism can be a great opportunity for pastoral care for those who have been alienated from the church (usually due to church’s wrongs) and may provide an entry point.
— Rev. Shelli Latham, Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, Atlanta.

Are our baptism expectations too high? Respectfully, they literally could not be lower. Belong to a church. Unless that’s not your thing. Attend worship somewhere. If you want. At least have some distant relative involved in some church. Maybe sit through two Sunday services before baptism. Set clear guidelines in the church’s bylaws and follow them. I don’t think it’s unrealistic not to baptize someone whose parents are disinterested. Such people cannot fulfill the parents’ vows, dragging the whole congregation into a breach of covenant.
— Rev. Ross Lang, Hildale Park Presbyterian, Cedar Knolls, N.J. 

I ask people who don’t attend church but want to be baptized the same question I ask people who want to get married in the church but don’t attend: “Why do you want to do it and why this church?” It opens a conversation about their faith and beliefs, or lack thereof, and allows me to talk about the obligations and expectations set up in a Christian wedding service or baptism. (You are promising God something and asking my congregation to promise something as well.) I’ve found that this is helpful without seeming combative.
— Rev. Annie Parker, Wellsburg Presbyterian Church, Wellsburg, W.Va.

I once asked the stated clerk at a presbytery I was in about this. His reply was basically: Baptism is an action we take on behalf of the worldwide church, not to a particular church. The sponsors (grandparents) and parents take vows, as does the session. Many of those baptized in a particular church will move from that church at some point. In a way, the baptism is more genuine because we rely on the Spirit to be active while we are out of sight. It challenges the church to care for those beyond the rolls, and the impression we make is a body of people, not a building, welcoming and sharing the fullness of God’s grace.
— Rev. Rob Warren, First Presbyterian Church, Mount Sterling, Ky.

In baptism, the parents (or another significant authority figure) make promises to nurture the child in the Christian faith. So does the congregation. Sometimes a child will be baptized in a different congregation than the church that the family normally attends. A congregation may make those commitments on behalf of the other congregation. But if the child is not a regular attendee at any church, and if the parents have no intention of nurturing the child in the faith, then I decline to baptize the child until the child is old enough to seek baptism for themselves.
— Rev. Joel Kelly, Calvary Presbyterian Church, Big Lick, Tenn.

Did you know?

Baptismal origins

The origins of baptism are found in the book of Leviticus, where, before and after their priestly duties, the Levite priests performed symbolic cleansings in water. The baptisms John was doing in the Jordan River were an adaptation of the mikvah, or ritual immersion bath, that had been part of Jewish life for generations and symbolized a spiritual cleansing. Jewish men took a mikvah each Sabbath in preparation for the new week. Women took a mikvah after each monthly period as a spiritual cleansing. John’s baptisms were ones of “repentance” — purifying people in preparation for the Messianic kingdom to come.

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