Our Children are not really ours; they belong to God.
Holy Baptism
"Suffer the little children to come unto Me." -Jesus
Our Children are not really ours; they belong to God. |
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We recognize the covenant
between God, ourselves, and our children when we bring them to God in holy baptism. Some
churches do not practice infant baptism, believing that baptisms should only be
administered to persons that are of age. But Jesus specifically included little children
in the family of faith.
In the Old Testament, Jewish parents were responsible for their children's
upbringing in the faith, and symbolized this by the act of circumcision. In the new, we
symbolize our commitment to bring up our children "in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord," by baptizing them. At the time of baptism, the child cannot speak for him
or her self. The vows that the parents made are confirmed by the child at a later ritual,
when he or she comes of age.
The commitment made by the parents or sponsors in
baptism:
Beloved, do you in presenting this child for holy Baptism confess your
faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
Do you therefore accept as your bounden duty and privilege to live before
this child a life that becomes the Gospel; to exercise all godly care that he be brought
up in the Christian faith, the he be taught the Holy Scriptures, and that he learn to give
reverent attendance upon the private and public worship of God?
Will you endeavor to keep this child under the ministry and guidance of the
Church until he by the power of God shall accept for himself the gift of salvation and be
confirmed as a full and responsible member of Christ's holy Church?
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The commitment made by the community of
faith in baptism: With God's help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that this child, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal. |
