The link explains it far better than I could even though I've been a United Methodist for many years.

http://www.asburyumc.ws/about_us/beliefs/baptism.htm

Reply

In the Catholic Church, part of the baptism is the promise to raise the child in the faith (or, in an adult baptism, to practice the faith). Baptism and living the faith are both essential ingredients for salvation. That's why you get those funny looks.

Reply

I am Episcopalean (conservative). In our Church, and I believe the same is true in the Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, you may ask the priest/
rector/minister for a meeting to explain the sacrament of Baptism. The act of infant Baptism is not a one-time ordinance. In the Baptismal service, the parents promise to raise their child in the Christian faith and to lead their child(ren) by their daily example. This implies active membership and participation in, if not the church where the Baptism takes place, some congretation of Christians. Also during the service, the congregation is charged with and accepts the responsibility to do all they can to see that the child grows up knowing Jesus Christ as Lord. In our Church, close friends or family members are asked to serve for life as the child's Godparents, and they too pledge their active participation in the spiritual development of their Godchild. Lifelong committment. But in the case of infant Baptism, it is implied and expected that at coming of age, usually around age 12, the child will attend Confirmation classes and then make their own decision as to whether to be Confirmed by the Bishop or presiding authority. At this time, they are acknowledging Jesus as Savior for themselves, and upon this milestone they take on the responsibil-ity for their spiritual development. No one should settle for a deer-in-the-headlights response from a minister if they are not active in a church but ask for their child to be baptized. Ask for a conference to have a thorough explanation of all that Baptism entails. It is not a ceremony to exclude anyone, but it is one of the seven holy sacraments, and, like the sacrament of marriage, not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly. Parents should understand the respon-sibilities they are taking upon themselves when they have their child baptized, and the blessings in store for those who develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in their lives. In Genesis, we read of mankind separating themselves from God. The rest of the Bible is the story of God reaching out to every living person, asking them to come back into personal relationship with Him. I wish this were my original thought... I attribute it to my rector. We killed the prophets and the saints, and he sent his own Son, and we killed Him, too. But with His last breath He asked his Father to forgive us, and by His resurrection He offers to stand beside us at the Judgement and tell His Father that we are His own. This is what Baptism is all about. Jesus doesn't want us to show up for an hour to be "sprinkled," then show up again on the doorstep of Heaven when we die. He wants to be a part of our daily lives. Just like with any friend, such a relationship needs commmitment and nourishing by ongoing contact. He had his friends write us a book to tell us how. Good reading.

Reply