Baptism & Dedication
Our two sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, have been called outward signs of an inward and invisible grace. In the administration of both of these sacraments something goes public, a mystery is disclosed, something is being communicated, and something pledged.
Jesus Christ’s institution of baptismal practice is given in Matthew 28. He joins baptism with teaching in the process of making disciples. As this is carried out in the church, baptism is administered in the name of the Triune God. That a person can be named in the name of God is an audacious act of obedience to Jesus’ command.
In the Evangelical Covenant Church we affirm infant dedication, infant baptism, believer baptism, and an affirmation of baptism in our public worship.
Infant Dedication
On the basis of interpretation of Scripture, some worshippers at BCC choose to have their infant children presented to the Lord in an act of dedication. This practice is based on the view that baptism is a sign of the individual’s own choice to follow Christ, and therefore is observed at an age when such a mature decision can be made. Seeking to have the Christian community join them in their desire to raise an infant child with the spiritual support of friends and the church, parents choose to dedicate themselves to this desire by presenting their infants in a service of public worship.
The biblical background for this practice is rooted in Simeon’s presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:25-35]. The observance of infant dedication recognizes both the care of God for children and the importance of both parents and congregation to provide for a child’s spiritual nurture— always with the view of anticipating baptism.
Infant Baptism
On the basis of interpretation of Scripture, some worshippers at BCC choose the sacrament of baptism for their infant children. This practice is based on the view that the sacraments—both baptism and Lord’s Supper— are means of grace whereby the mystery and drama of the Gospel are proclaimed. Baptism is specifically seen as a proclamation of a decision made by God from the foundation of the world to provide a way to fold everyone into the Gospel’s message and community. Baptism symbolizes an initiation into the believing community wherein the infant will grow up and one day acknowledge conversion into new life in Christ. The water is the visible sign of the invisible grace. It stands both for life and cleansing.
Some may ask how an infant can really understand what is happening in the act of baptism, and therefore, how it can really be effective. This is precisely the point. The grace proclaimed in the sacrament is prevenient, that is, long before we were even here, or thought of—even while helpless like an infant—the Lord knew our need and has already done what is necessary for our spiritual life. Baptism points to God’s decision on our behalf.
Believer Baptism
In the tradition of believer baptism, persons hear the word of God, repent, believe it, and are baptized. The practice of believer baptism does not deny the prevenient work of God in opening the human heart to the gospel; but where infant baptism has emphasized the sacrament of a means of God’s grace, believer baptism emphasizes the human decision to follow Christ. Through immersion or sprinkling, believers who are baptized make public their witness to conversion and their pledge of discipleship. A biblical example of this practice is the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch by Philip [Acts 8:38].
Baptism is always both a personal and corporate act. On a personal level, one can say that baptism is like being born anew [John 3:5; Titus 3:5] or like dying and being raised to new life in a new world [Romans 6:1-11; Colossians 2:12]. On the corporate level, baptism is an invitation and incorporation into the body of Christ [1 Corinthians 12:3, 26-27]. The sacrament of baptism is a public observance, because the community of believers provides the context both for coming to faith in Christ and for the nurturing and development of that faith through discipleship.
Affirmation of Baptism
This service gives individuals the opportunity to clearly express a personal appropriation of faith, while at the same time allowing individuals to express thanks for God’s work in their lives—the beginning of which was signified in their baptism as an infant.
Just as Jesus Christ’s death was once for all, each person’s “baptism into Christ’s death” is a once-for-all event in his or her life. This rite of affirmation is designed to provide a public witness for renewed commitment of a person who has previously been baptized.