The questions surrounding the sacrament of baptism are many. They usually involve discussion about the amount of water involved and the age at which to get someone wet!
At the Wharfedale Vineyard we acknowledge that different people have different convictions. The biblical direction on this issue is not clear cut and therefore we are happy to do any of the following:
- Christening of infants - this involves a small amount of water sprinkled on a baby's head and is accompanied by the promises of parents, god-parents and the community of faith to raise the child in the family of the church.
- Dedicating infants and children - this involves praying for the child and the commitment of parents, god-parents and the community of faith to raise the child in the faith of Christ with the expectation that they will one day make an adult decision to demonstrate their faith by baptism.
- Baptising children and adults - where individuals have made an independent decision to follow Jesus and have not previously been baptised we can baptise them with full immersion (all the way under the water) or by christening (sprinkling water).
Usually, but not necessarily, these occasions take place at main events when a large number of the church family are around to support you and witness the occasion. However, you may wish to do something more privately and at a different time. If so, you may feel free to call on the pastoral staff of the church for assistance and advice.
There follows an explanation of some of the background for these different practices.
The Baptism of children (the Paedobaptist viewpoint)
Some people understand the bible to include the children of “Christian” parents in the New Covenant, and therefore (as with circumcision under the Old Covenant) they believe that their children should rightly receive baptism - as the sign of that New Covenant.
They believe baptism means the same thing whether it is received as a child or as an adult, although there are obvious differences, principally:
- an adult understands the process as they go through it, an infant does not
- an adult is baptised having already committed their life to Christ, an infant hasn’t yet - although assuming a baptised infant does not grow up to reject Christ, they will grow up to fully realise the significance of their baptism.
The Dedication of children (the Baptist viewpoint)
Some people understand the bible to teach that baptism must come after repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and that children too young to have such a faith shouldn’t be baptised. People who hold this view often prefer to “dedicate” their children. Dedication is the parents’:
- expressing gratitude for God’s gift of a child
- publicly affirming that they will bring their child up in the ways of the Lord
- giving their child back to the Lord (dedicating to Him) for His purposes
- asking His blessing upon their child.
Parents who dedicate their children anticipate they will grow up to know and love Jesus, and when they’re old enough will make their own commitment, and then get baptised.
Paedobaptists and Baptists - which viewpoint is right?
At the Vineyard we believe both the Paedobaptist and Baptist viewpoints can be well argued from the Bible and, if we’re objective and impartial, we would have to say that the Bible is not clear enough on this issue for us to be absolutely categoric about which view is ‘right’.
Had the Lord wanted to make sure we got it ‘right’, and the timing of baptism meant as much to Him as it does to some of us, he would surely have made it clearer. [It should be noted at this point, however, that this church does believe that when the Bible is clear on an issue we need to hold on tight to it. Many of the major tenets of the faith are summarised, for example, in the traditional Christian creeds, and are expanded in the Vineyard Statement of Faith (available on the Resources Table).]
Unity in Diversity
Unfortunately, people down the ages have tended to hold strongly to their understanding of the ‘right’ viewpoint regarding baptism, very often believing that their viewpoint is clearly scriptural and that, by definition, the opposing view cannot be defended by the Bible. Invariably that is because they have not studied the alternative view well enough or objectively enough to understand it.
Often people of differing views have treated each other with an alarming lack of love and respect. In the 16th century, for instance, people felt so strongly about it that they killed each other, very often by drowning, just to make their point. Out of the argument arose new denominations convinced that they had the truth.
The hostility among Christians is probably not what Paul had in mind when he wrote: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4.3-6)
As Christian we should live in unity, peace and love - even if that does not mean in complete agreement about everything. When we get to heaven we will probably find out which view was ‘right’ but in the meantime we must take Augustine’s advice:
“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, diversity; in all things, charity.”
If you would like to discuss any of the issues in this article or would like to celebrate the birth of a child, please contact the church office.
