If you’re reading this, you probably realize that Holy Baptism is the Christian rite of initiation. We become Christians – members of the Church – in this holy sacrament. There was a time when Baptism was almost obligatory: nearly every nominal Christian family had their children baptized, even if they had no plans to be active in the congregation in which the baptisms took place. Baptism was widely regarded as entry into polite “Christian” society; it was the “thing to do” for responsible parents.

Things have changed in recent years. Belonging to a church is no longer a prerequisite for respectability. Many people in today’s society prefer not to have any religious affiliation, and their non-affiliation no longer prevents them from joining clubs, entering their children into exclusive schools, or finding employment. While some may decry these changes, in a sense, these developments are positive from a Christian standpoint. When Baptism was an obligatory civil rite of passage, the value of the sacrament was devalued and its true meaning misinterpreted. Baptism is not a once and done event. It does not signify entry into “normal life.” Baptism is not insurance against the fiery depths of hell.

St. Paul sees Baptism as participation in Christ’s death and resurrection. He says in Romans 6: “… all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death … we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so too we might walk in newness of life.”

Notice that Paul understands that baptism signifies dying to sin, death, and the devil, that is, sharing in Christ’s death and receiving the benefits of it. However, Paul doesn’t say that we instantly rise with Christ as we emerge from baptismal waters. Rather, we walk in newness of life. That means that, while sin, death, and the devil are held at bay, the struggle is not complete. Later in the chapter, Paul says, “do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.” In other words, life after baptism is the struggle of remembering that we have died to sin and death and looking beyond this life to the triumph of resurrection. Thus, life after baptism is one that is best lived in close community with the one whose death we share – it is life lived in the Church. That’s why, when infants are baptized, their parents and sponsors promise to “faithfully bring them to the services of God’s house, and teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, … to provide for their instruction in the Christian faith,” etc., namely to raise them in the Church!

This October we have four baptisms scheduled! While some may complain that baptisms simply extend the length of worship, I say that Baptisms are a thrilling event in the life of our congregation. Many congregations these days go years with a single infant baptism; it’s quite possible that we’ll celebrate six before the end of the year. Baptisms signify growth of the congregation, and the reveal that we’re responding to Jesus’ great commission to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit …” (Matthew 28:19). Since most parents no longer feel obliged to have their children baptized these days, it’s important for us to be welcoming and supportive of those who are up to the challenge of raising children in the Church. Two of our October baptisms will take place at the 9:00 service and two at 10:30. Please join us to celebrate these joyous occasions, as four young people become “fellow members of the body of Christ, children of the same heavenly Father, and workers with us in the kingdom of God.”

In Jesus’ name,

Pastor Robert M. Mountenay