I receive phone calls every now and then from people in our community who want to have their baby baptized. I ask them, "Are you attending a church. "Well, no" comes the reply. I say to them. "The Presbyterian Church has a requirement about baptism of infants - one of the parents (or guardians) must be an active, participating member of a Christian church." They reply, "I'm not active in a church." (I know that. Otherwise they would call their own pastor.
I can feel a slight agitation at the other end of the phone line as I explain how we understand baptism. I tell them, "The congregation takes a vow that they will provide a place where your child may be nourished and brought up in the Lord so that your child may some day make its own decision about faith in Jesus Christ.
"You take a vow to raise your child in this, or some other church, so that your child has the knowledge - from your example as their parent and from being with other Christians - of what it is to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
"Baptism isn't magic. It's not something you do to make sure the kid stays out of hell. Baptism is an act of the gathered Christian community. Your child becomes a baptized member of the church - Jesus' sister or brother - part of God's family.
Most people say, "Yes, I understand what you're saying." A few say, "Then we're going to start attending your church." We have several people who are members of this congregation because of such a phone call.
Others say, "We're not interested in being active in a church." And I have to reply, "Then I cannot baptize your baby."
Once in a while someone becomes angry. I always feel sorry for them. They refuse to understand what baptism is about.
Baptism is much more than a sentimental act of dumping a little water on the kid's head. God acts in baptism. Parents and church make a covenant promise to each other with God as a witness. And God makes a covenant promise to this church and to that child and to those parents. In baptism God washes away that child's past, however short it may be, and prepares that child and strengthens that child for its future, however long it may be. In baptism the Spirit is given. The mark of God is placed upon the child, and it is no longer the same child it was before. This is now God's child. In baptism we set a person apart. They are no longer what they were.
When I was in college I went on a Roman Catholic retreat. A priest asked us, "At baptism you were given a name, what is it?" Several people came up with their saint's name. He said, "No, that's not the name you're given. The name you're given is Christian." Baptism gives people a new name and a new relationship with God.
Jesus began his ministry with baptism. He was set apart for special responsibility, and God's seal of approval was placed on him. Just so, you are set apart because you are baptized. God's seal of approval has been placed on you.
- Norman L. Dalton, pastor
Our Church Policy...
Infant baptism in a Presbyterian Church
Christian parents have the right to present their infant children for baptism as a sign and seal of God's promise to them as heirs of the covenant. In presenting a child for baptism parents affirm in public their duty to bring up the child to love and serve God. The congregation, too, promises to surround the child with their love and concern in Christ, that the child may continue in the community of the church, confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and live in God's eternal Kingdom.
Baptism of infants is not to be practiced out of fear for the condition of the soul of an unbaptized child. The aim and goal of baptism includes the personal confession of faith and commitment to be the Lord's. Baptism of infants places special responsibilities on parents and congregations for education and witness in the life of the church.
Who may present children for baptism
The parents or those persons rightly exercising parental authority, if members of Community Presbyterian Church, may present infants for baptism.
Christian parents or guardians who are not members of Community Presbyterian Church may be granted permission by the session to present infants for baptism provided they are members in good standing in some other congregation of believers, and provided they live close enough to it to continue in an active relationship to it.
Responsibilities of parents
The parents shall meet with the minister or other representatives of the session before the baptism. The significance of what God is doing in baptism will be discussed, and the obligation for the Christian nurture of their child will be explained.
Baptism takes place as part of a regular worship service on Sunday morning. Parents will be asked to affirm their faith in Jesus Christ and to state their intention to raise their child as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Ordinarily, arrangements for a baptism should be made at least two months in advance of the proposed date for baptism.
- Community Presbyterian Church of Deerfield Beach Session Policy