|
 THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
When a new baby is born into a home it brings with it both excitement and a
desire on the part of the parents to seek the best for the child. Very often
among their first thoughts is a concern to have the baby baptised.
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
On
occasions baptism is surrounded with misunderstanding and even superstition. It
is obvious too, in many cases that parents, in spite of counselling, have scant
understanding of what the vows mean and entail. This is evidenced by the fact
that many of them fail to attend church regularly after the baptism has taken
place.
This pamphlet will not deal with all the problems, nor will it claim to deal
with the subject fully, but it is hoped it will clear up some misunderstandings
and explain in some measure where the Presbyterian Church stands, particularly
in relation to Infant Baptism. It will also let you see the standards which the
Kirk Session in Markethill hold and seek to apply in relation to those seeking
Baptism for their child.
Children are not baptised to give them a name, nor is baptism a kind of charm
which protects the child from misfortune and makes it thrive. Baptism does not
make the child a Christian and it is wrong to think that unbaptised children, in
the sad event of death, are in any spiritual danger.
Baptism can be thought of as God’s visual aid which helps us both see and
understand the special place that the children of Christian parents have in
God’s eyes. It is the outward sign of what God must do in the life of the child
if it is to become a Christian. At the Baptismal Service we pray ‘that when the
child comes to years of wisdom and understanding they will accept Christ as
their Saviour and serve Him as Lord.’
We
have just made reference to ‘the children of Christian parents’. Our church
holds that one, or both parents, must be able to make profession of faith as a
Christian if the child is to be baptised. In the Old Testament God made a
promise to Abraham, the father of the old Israel- “To be your God and the God
of your descendants after you” (Genesis 17:7). That promise is renewed in
the New Testament. It is given to the new Israel, the Church-“If you belong
to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”
(Galatians 3:29). God has made it clear in the Bible that He wants believing
adults to pass on the promises which they have to their children.
PARENT’S VOWS
We
now look at the vows taken and promises made at the baptism of a child…..
The
parents are asked the following questions:-
This sacrament lays solemn duties on you as parents, to make confession of your
faith before God, and to promise to bring up your child in that faith.
1. Do you believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: do you confess Jesus
Christ as your Saviour and Lord?
2. Do you promise, by the Grace of God and by prayer and example, to bring up
your child in the worship and teaching of the Church that he/she may come to
confess with you that Jesus Christ is Saviour and Lord?
WHAT DO THEY MEAN?
In taking the first vow you are publicly professing your faith as a Christian.
You have realized your sinfulness in God’s sight and your inability to do
anything to help or save yourself from the consequences of your sin and you are
trusting in what Christ did on the cross for your Salvation.
If this is the case you will want to attend Church to meet the People of God.
You will also want to develop your own private devotional life so that you will
grow and mature in the Christian Faith.
In the second vow you promise to ensure that the child is nurtured in the
Christian Faith. At home you will teach your child to pray and read the Bible
and by the life you live help him/her to understand more clearly what God’s love
is like and what He expects of us. You will not only send your child to Sunday
School but will accompany him/her to Church. After all why should your child
continue to go to Church as he/she grows up if by your own attitude and example
that Church is not for grown-ups?
CONGREGATION’S VOW
A third vow is taken at the baptism of a child. It is the congregation’s
promise-
Do you promise, by the Grace of God, so to live in the faith of the Gospel, and
in love for one another, that this child and all others among you, may grow up
to love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Baptism is a joyful and personal experience for the parents but it is more;
through baptism the child is received into the fellowship of the Church and the
congregation has responsibility so far as the children growing within it is
concerned.
GENERAL COMMENT
In the Presbyterian tradition, the Kirk Session has responsibility for the
Spiritual oversight of all who make these promises. They will expect to see the
reality of the parents’ profession of faith as Christians finding expression in
regular Church attendance and in an interest in the life and work of the
congregation. The Kirk Session has the right to refuse or defer baptism if these
conditions are not fulfilled.
This pamphlet opened by acknowledging that parents invariably desire or wish the
best for their child. They can only give the best to their child if they first
seek the best for themselves through a living faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour
and an acknowledgement of Him as Lord of every aspect of their lives.
You may find some of the following books helpful. As your minister I would be
delighted to guide you in your choice.
Basic Christianity John Stott
Becoming a Christian John Stott
Journey into Life Norman Warren
Baptism, Its Purpose, Practice and Power Michael Green
|
