Baptism is the entryway into the Christian Church
and proclaims to the world our belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The United Methodist Church recognizes two sacraments, communion and baptism. Sacraments are a way, through our faith in Christ or a parent’s faith, that we receive God’s love. This love, freely given, is called grace.
When we receive this grace through our baptism we establish a special relationship with God. This new relationship is called a covenant.
(Genesis 9, 15, Exodus 24, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 26:26-29)
God freely offers us love, forgiveness, and salvation and all we have to do to receive this gift is have faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy church, we are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and we are given new birth through water and the spirit. All this is God’s gift offered to us without price.
United Methodist Book of Worship

In baptism, the parents of a child or infant make a vow or promise to God, as do the godparents.

Will you nurture this child in Christ’s holy church, that by your teaching and example he or she may be guided to accept God’s grace for him or herself, to profess his or her faith openly, and to lead a Christian life?
United Methodist Book of Worship

The minister is the person responsible to meet with the parents before baptism and explain that the parents need to give evidence that they will fulfill this vow to God. Parents need to show their own faith commitment through regular attendance in worship and participation in the life of the church prior to the child’s baptism. Parents are expected to raise the child in the church, bringing the child to worship, Sunday school and other programs of the church. This is their promise to God.

Godparents should be selected carefully because they will help nurture the person to be baptized in the Christian faith. The role is not only an honor; it is a serious responsibility. Godparents should be members of Christ’s Church.
United Methodist Book of Discipline

In baptism the parents, godparents, or person seeking baptism publicly profess faith in Jesus Christ.

Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in unison with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?
United Methodist Book of Worship

Except in very unusual circumstances, baptism is always conducted during the public worship of the congregation where the person’s membership is to be held. Baptism is a public proclamation of faith in Christ.
The congregation is a witness to the vows of the parents or the person seeking baptism and promises to nurture the parents, child or person
“with a community of love and forgiveness.”

Baptism is traditionally performed in three different fashions. Immersion is a way of proclaiming the death and burial of the person’s old way of life of sin and the resurrection into a new life with God. Pouring signifies the Holy Spirit being poured upon the person. Sprinkling is a sign of being cleansed of our sin and becoming new people of God.

“We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins”
The Nicene Creed

A person should not be baptized more than once. To re-baptize is to say what God did in that person’s original baptism was flawed or not lasting. Although as people we may not always do what is good or right, God’s acts are always perfect and endure forever.

The United Methodist Church respects the integrity of another Christian denomination’s sacrament of baptism. Are we not all members of Christ’s Church, is it not the same God and the same Holy Spirit we acknowledge and receive in baptism?
Therefore, a second baptism because you are now attending a different church or you have grown in your faith should never be allowed. What God has done in your baptism you have finally allowed to work in your life. God was always there; you were simply slow to recognize God’s presence.

Baptism is not a magical act, which will protect your child from all harm. The United Methodist Church does not believe an un-baptized child or infant will not receive salvation if he or she might die.

It is the parent’s responsibility to contact the minister if they wish a baptism of their child. The minister will meet with the family, discuss the meaning of baptism with the parents and godparents. If they are not already doing so, the minister will encourage the parents and family to begin attending worship as a sign of faith and commitment. This gives sincere evidence they intend to fulfill their vows to raise their child in the church and to know God and Christ. This is done with the expectation and hope the child will someday confirm in faith the baptismal vows his or her parents are making on his or her behalf

Before baptism is administered, the pastor shall diligently instruct the parents regarding the meaning of this sacrament and the vows they assume. It is expected of parents who present their children for baptism that they should use all diligence in bringing them up in conformity to the word of God and in the fellowship of the Church and to encourage them to participate in preparation for their profession of faith and confirmation at the appropriate time…(parents) shall be admonished of this obligation and be earnestly exhorted to faithfulness therein. United Methodist Discipline 227.1

It shall be the duty of the pastor, parents, godparents, the officers and teachers of the church school and all members of the congregation to provide training for the children of the Church throughout their childhood that will lead to a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to an understanding of the Christian faith and to an appreciation of the privileges and obligations of baptism and professing membership. United Methodist Discipline 227.4


For more information please contact Rev. John Wetherwax, 791-4978