We’re glad to hear you desire Holy Baptism! Before considering Holy Baptism in practice,
The Scriptures teach that a person is saved by God’s grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone. They also tell us that such “faith comes by hearing” (Rom 10:17). Jesus Himself commands Baptism and tells us that Baptism is water used together with the Word of God (Matt 28:19- 20). Because of this, we believe that Baptism is the miraculous means through which God the Holy Spirit creates and strengthens the gift of faith in a person’s heart (see Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Gal 3:26-27; Rom 6:1-4; Col 2:11-12; 1 Cor. 12:13).
Although we do not claim to understand fully how this happens, we believe that when an infant is baptized, God creates faith in the heart of that infant. We believe this because the Bible says that infants can believe (Matt 18:6) and that new birth (regeneration) happens in Baptism (John 3:5-7; Titus 3:5-6). The infant’s faith cannot yet, of course, be verbally expressed or articulated by the child, yet it is real and present all the same (see, e.g., Acts 2:38-39; Luke 1:15; 2 Tim 3:15). The faith of the infant, like the faith of adults, also needs to be fed and nurtured by God’s Word (Matt 28:18-20), or it will die.
Baptism is the entrance into the Church and particularly the fellowship at St. John Sherman Center. Usually, the family is regularly attending Grace to hear and receive God’s saving Word of forgiveness in Jesus Christ. After this, the pastor will meet with both parents and instruct them on what we believe about Holy Baptism, review the baptismal service, discuss the need for sponsors, and talk about how Holy Baptism is sustained in the home and in the church. After this, we schedule a service time for the baptism. If you’re interested, please contact Pastor Gillespie.
p.s. Holy Baptism is a free gift of God. No charge!