The
following was written by Hugh O'Brien, our previous Minister.
BAPTISM
Presenting Your Child for
Baptism
The
Baptism of your child is
an important event for you and your family, as it is for the Christian
family to which your child will belong more fully. This web page seeks
to explain the background to, and importance of, the sacrament of Baptism
and to answer frequently asked questions.
As one of the two sacraments of the church Baptism is a symbol of God’s grace and forgiveness. It is an outward sign which corresponds to its inward meaning. The sprinkled water carries with it the meaning of cleansing and it directs that promise to the child who is baptised. Baptism is also a sign of our fellowship with Jesus, acknowledging that your child has a place in the Jesus’ heart and in His Church. It is our prayer that, in time, your child will him/herself choose to follow Christ and to profess the faith in which they were baptised.
Why Baptism?
Jesus himself
was baptised by John in the River Jordan, and when he gave the Church its
commission he did so in the following words: "All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.""
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
It is clear from this that the Church has been given an instruction to baptise, but why children? Some churches confine baptism to adults, to those who can understand what they are doing. The early Church did not. The Promise of Peter is "to you and your children" (Acts 2:39) .
Which Children?
The gift of baptism implies growth and grace and therefore, in the case of
the Baptism of a child, parents or guardians are asked to give a clear
commitment to raise their child in the Christian faith, within the life and
worship of the Church. This obviously requires belief and faith on the part
of at least one of the parents.
Baptism is not a private family event, but a church family event. The Church of Scotland sets-out rules about whom a minister can baptise. Children can be baptised:
if one or both parents have themselves been baptised and are members of the congregation or who intend to become members of the congregation (being enrolled in the next available membership preparation meetings),
one or both parents are recognised as adherents of the congregation in regular attendance.
Ministers can also Baptise children when another close family member is a member of our congregation and is able to take the vows of baptism on behalf of the parents. This would be relevant and valid only where the child to be baptised lives near to the other family member who can shepherd them in the faith and keep the vows about them being brought-up within the life and witness of the Church in due course (meaning, in practical terms, that both the relative and the child both live within this parish).
The Minister would be happy to discuss any of the above with any parent or guardian wishing baptism for their children.
An alternative if Baptism is not the right thing for your child yet:
If you don't think Baptism is right for your family at present an alternative to baptism is a service of blessing and thanksgiving for your new baby and the minister would be happy to discuss this with you as well.
More information:
For a Church of Scotland perspective on any of the above please go to the
central church website by
clicking here.
The Beginning of a Journey
Baptism, if it is to mean anything at all, should be seen as the beginning
for a journey for the child. A child should not be baptised just
because "the grandparents say it's the thing to do", nor for any
superstitious reason. In asking for Baptism parents are saying "We
believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and we want to dedicate out
child to him and promise to bring him/her up with the active life of
Christ's Church on earth (represented by your local church).
Presenting Yourself for Baptism
Thinking about "Adult" or "Believers" Baptism in an adult way
Why would you wish to be Baptised as an adult.
BECAUSE:
you have come to faith in Jesus Christ and have given your life to him
you were not baptised as a child
you wish to be part of Christ's body on
earth, the Church
The
theology and symbolism of baptism is rich and varied. The liturgy of baptism
reflects this fact. Here are
some key themes:
Whether or not you feel that that your baptism as a child was meaningful to you as an adult, it was a valid Baptism and the Church believes in "one Baptism". No Church of Scotland minister will therefore knowingly re-baptise anyone. Should this be an issue for you speak to your minister.
The Body of Christ:
Baptism is the way in which the adult seeker becomes a member of the
worldwide Church, the body of Christ, though most denominations (including
the Church of Scotland) have a set form of church membership in addition to
(but not without) Baptism. Baptism involves everyone present at the service,
as well as the wider Church. The whole congregation pledges its support at
the presentation of the Candidate, it shares with them in professing their
faith, and it welcomes the newly baptised into the “fellowship of faith”,
whether adult or child.
At
baptism, there is a sense in which we begin our Christian life - our new
life in God through Christ. Baptism is therefore an outward sign of the
inner work of God in the individual. As with any ‘life beginning’ the
next steps are growth and development.
You as an adult candidate need to be supported in our growth in
discipleship and faith. The Church is here for you.
The Act of Baptism
Baptism is a Sacrament of the Church (the only other being Holy Communion). In the Church of Scotland we sprinkle the candidate (child or adult) with water from the font. The Church of Scotland like most mainstream Christian denominations does not practice Baptism by immersion.
Baptism is seen as calling from darkness to light. The symbolism of
‘turning’ from an old way of life to a new one is prevalent in baptism
liturgy. The candidate signals their intention to live a different way of
life, going in a new direction with God.
Baptism is also a symbolic ‘cleansing’ from sin with the water. The imagery
of ‘washing away’ sin and guilt is a theme found throughout the Bible (e.g
)It is an obvious image which has a clear resonance in everyday activity.
Echoing the death and resurrection of Christ, there is a strong theme of
dying to the old self and rising to new life, which becomes all the more
pointed if the candidate is fully immersed and is ‘buried’ in the water,
only to rise up out of it again.
The
journey
One of the primary themes of
baptism is that of our journey in Christ. At baptism we begin this journey,
joining with our fellow pilgrims on the way, including those who have gone
before and those who will follow on. We become part of the Universal
Church of Christ and are called to play our part for him in our day.
What next
Speak to the minister! If you live within Meldrum & Bourtie Parish you can speak with the minister after worship on Sunday, or contact the Session Clerk by e-mail
