The Sacrament of Baptism is a joyous event in which we celebrate God’s love and grace. The Session joins the members and staff of our church in gladly responding to your request to know more about the Sacrament of Baptism. This booklet is written to provide you with some answers about this sacrament. (To print the complete booklet or to print an application for baptism, see the Quick Link.)
WHAT IS A SACRAMENT?
In Christianity, a sacrament is an action that reveals God’s grace and enables us to recognize the reality of God’s presence and activity in our midst. A sacrament includes verbal and tangible symbols through which God’s love in Christ is made known to us. While God’s word is written in the Bible and proclaimed in sermons, God’s word is also visible in the sacraments. Sacraments employ our senses—seeing, touching, feeling, hearing, tasting—uniting our physical world with our spiritual world. As we participate in the sacraments, we rejoice in God’s mercy, forgiveness, and love; reaffirming our belief in God’s promise of life made fresh and new. A wonderful way of describing a sacrament is to say that it is “a visible sign of an invisible grace.”
The Presbyterian Church recognizes and celebrates two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which is sometimes called “Holy Communion” or “The Eucharist.”
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
“Baptism is the sign and seal of incorporation into Jesus Christ.” (Book of Order, W-2.3001) In baptism we recognize and accept the grace of God that already exists in a person’s life. Baptism allows us to see that person as God’s child, to know the gift of God’s grace, and to celebrate God’s presence in human life, cleansed of sin, and given a new life in Jesus Christ.
The Book of Order, a part of the Constitution of The Presbyterian Church (USA), provides understandings and directions for our life together. It links Baptism to the resurrection of Jesus Christ: “In Baptism we participate in Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Baptism we die to what separates us from God and are raised to newness of life in Christ. Baptism points us back to the grace of God expressed in Jesus Christ, who died for us and who was raised for us. Baptism points us forward to that same Christ who will fulfill God’s purpose in God’s promised future.” (W-2.3002)
Presbyterians also believe that when a person receives the Sacrament of Baptism that person is welcomed into the family of believers. The person now belongs to a community of sisters and brothers around the world, a family composed of all people who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, and who, therefore, may call themselves by the family name “Christian.” “This body of Christ is one, and Baptism is the bond of unity in Christ. As they are united with Christ through faith, Baptism unites the people of God with each other and with the church of every time and place. Barriers of race, gender, status, and age are to be transcended. Barriers of nationality, history, and practice are to be overcome.” (W-2.3005) “Baptism gives the church identity and commissions the church for ministry to the world.” (W-2.3006)
Presbyterians believe that the Sacrament of Baptism may be received only once. Furthermore, Presbyterians recognize as fully valid the baptism of all Christian denominations.
While we believe that Baptism is received only once, “the efficacy of Baptism is not tied to the moment it is administered, for Baptism signifies the beginning of life in Christ, not its completion. God’s grace works steadily, calling to repentance and newness of life.” (W-2.3007)
WHO MAY BE BAPTIZED?
Presbyterians baptize adults, children and infants. There is no age requirement. The baptism of children and infants “witnesses to the truth that God’s love claims people before they are able to respond in faith.” (W2.3008b) As to adult baptism, no one is required to have the Bible memorized, or pass a test about Christian theology and church history. No one is required to be a perfect human being, with perfect faith and no doubts or faults. The Sacrament of Baptism is God’s way of coming to imperfect human beings and working the miracle of renewal in their lives.
When the sacrament of Baptism is celebrated, vows and promises are made by adults on their own behalf or by parents/guardians on behalf of infants and children. These vows and commitments are clearly stated in The Book of Order. Those desiring Baptism must
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profess their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior,
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renounce evil and affirm their reliance on God’s grace,
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declare their intention to participate actively and responsibly in the worship and mission of the church,
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and, in the case of infant or child baptism, declare their intention to provide for the Christian nurture of their child. (W-3.3603)
After taking these vows, the newly baptized or their parents must attempt to live them faithfully in their lives. This would include an active relationship in a particular community of faith. One should normally be baptized in the church in which one expects to live out his or her baptismal vows.
In infant or child baptism, at least one parent or guardian must be an active member of this congregation. Exceptions to this rule may be made in specific circumstances; however, at least one parent or guardian must be an active member of a Christian church. (W-2.3014) (For example, parents who are now active members in a church in California may wish to have their child baptized at our church so that grandparents can witness the celebration of the sacrament.) An active member is one who participates in the life and ministry of the church and supports the work of the church with time, talents, and financial resources. These requirements are not put in place to make it difficult to baptize a child, but rather to maintain the integrity of the sacrament and ensure the fulfillment of the vows taken by the parents and the church.
WHEN MAY BAPTISM OCCUR?
In the Presbyterian Church Baptism is celebrated during the corporate worship service. Corporate worship is the center of our lives where church members join their voices, thoughts, and expressions in a unison act of praise of God. Moreover, because the Sacrament of Baptism is an act of the whole community of faith, the congregation also makes promises at the time of baptism on behalf of that particular congregation, as well as the Church Universal. While other denominations allow “Godparents,” who take similar vows, in the Presbyterian tradition the whole congregation functions in that role. The church family does this by:
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professing its faith,
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voicing support for the baptized,
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expressing its willingness to take responsibility for nurture of those baptized. (W-3.303)
During the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism all who are present are invited to remember their own Baptismal vows and to renew their own faith.
WHY IS WATER USED IN BAPTISM?
Water is a necessary element for life. Without water, human beings cannot survive. Water also cleanses and refreshes the physical body. Presbyterians affirm that the water of Baptism is a sign of God’s cleansing power, symbolically washing away the sin of the past and providing for a new and fresh beginning. We believe that human beings are born with the propensity to sin. The cleansing that takes place in Baptism symbolizes and affirms our secure relationship with God, and it provides the strength we will need to seek repentance and reaffirm our relationship with God. The symbolic waters of Baptism break the chains which otherwise would enslave us to sin and leave us free to live lives in which God’s mercy, forgiveness, and the promise of renewal are always available.
WHAT STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN IN PREPARATION FOR BAPTISM?
For parents/guardians desiring to have their child(ren) baptized. The first step is to be an active member of the congregation. When you discern that it is time for your child(ren) to be baptized, complete the form, “Request for the Celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism” included with this booklet. Return the form to the church office. Your request is then forwarded to the Worship and Music Committee. That committee reviews it and makes a recommendation to the Session (our ruling body) which has the responsibility of approving all Baptisms.
If you would like to suggest a date for the Baptism, you may call the church secretary to determine available dates. Consultation with the pastor is necessary to determine the final date. The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church allows you to choose both the date and the service as long as no other special congregational activities are scheduled for that time. Pews may be reserved for family and friends by telling the church secretary the number of pews needed. Sometimes there may be more than one Baptism celebrated at the same service.
After the Baptism is approved by the Session, the officiating pastor will meet with the family. Home visits can be arranged. During that meeting, you will have an opportunity to discuss any other questions about Baptism which you might have.
For adults desiring to be baptized. First, speak with a pastor who will talk with you more about the significance of being baptized. You are also urged to participate in the worship life of the church and then attend a new members class. This class is an opportunity for all who are considering uniting with our church to learn more about what it means not only to be a member of The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, but a Christian in today’s world. After this brief period of instruction, you will make your profession of faith and the Session will authorize your baptism. You will then schedule the date of your baptism with the pastor.
ON THE DAY OF THE BAPTISM
The celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism takes place after the sermon. During the celebration of the sacrament you (and other members of your immediate family, if you so desire) will be invited to join the pastor and an elder around the baptismal font. You will be asked to respond to the vows, renounce evil, profess your faith with the congregation, and there will be a prayer. An adult being baptized may be asked to kneel, if they are able. The pastor normally holds the child being baptized. The Christian names (given names, not the surname) will be pronounced. The pastor will take water from the font and place it on the head of the one being baptized, using the words of the ancient Triune formula, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Another prayer is offered, and the newly baptized is introduced to the church as a member of the family of faith.
A word about pictures: While Baptism is an event to be remembered, it is celebrated during a worship service. Taking pictures during the service is distracting to many and therefore taking pictures during the service is not permitted. The pastor who celebrates the sacrament will be happy to join you and your family at the baptismal font after the service to take pictures. You are permitted to videotape the service from the balcony. Please ask the officiating pastor for guidelines concerning this possibility.
IN CONCLUSION
We hope that this booklet answered most of the questions you may have about the Sacrament of Baptism. If you have additional questions, or would like to think more deeply about any aspect of the Sacrament, please call a pastor, who will be glad to set an appointment to speak with you.
Baptized children are welcome to participate in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper if their parents believe that they have appropriate understanding (given their age) and if the child appreciates that this is a special activity in the life of the church. As the child grows, he/she will be invited to join the Confirmation Class that usually meets during the first year of high school. This will provide opportunities and experiences for those children so that they may then confirm the baptismal vows their parents took on their behalf. Upon confirmation, these young people become full active members of the church.
Please know that we welcome you and your family to worship with us and participate in our educational, fellowship, and service activities even before you or they are baptized. We look forward to the day when you and/or your child become a baptized member of the family of faith.
Jesus said:
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing 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 remember, I am with you always,
to the end of the age.
(Matthew 28:18-20)