Faith & Family
Baptism and Community
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The other day a friend of mine was in tears in my living room; her son, who had married, was refusing to baptize the new baby. The person I was talking with was distraught, for she was certain that her new grandchild was never going to be allowed into heaven. I sat there and listened as a Chaplain does, but I was actually thinking, how do I comfort and guide this person to an understanding?
Most of the older generation thinks that Baptism is like some kind of magical pass. That if the child does not receive this, they would be refused entry into heaven upon their death. Obviously, there has been some misunderstanding about what Baptism is.
First, let's return to the very root of the word 'Baptism’; it comes from Greek and means immersion or dipping in water. This is a word that denotes the act of baptizing. It is a washing of sorts, where the person is cleansed. Cleansed of what? Cleaned of sin. Sin is a complicated issue, but for simplicity’s sake, it could be either a sin of commission, something we will do that goes against God's will for us, or a sin of omission, which is when we should have taken an action to do something, like help someone, and did not. Sin is connected to our Free will given to us by God. We are in charge of what we do and are responsible for our actions. We are back with Adam and Eve, where they willfully disobeyed God's command not to eat the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil. Adam and Eve committed the first sin, or as we call it in Religion, Original sin.
Now allow me to return to Baptism. John the Baptist, who was a relative of Jesus, is mentioned when Mary, Jesus's mother, visits her kinswoman, Elizabeth, before either Jesus or John was born. There is a very beautiful moment in scripture when Elizabeth and Mary meet. (two mothers, about to give birth and change the world forever) Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says" When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear, but why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. (Luke 1:41-44).
John was born, and he would go about baptizing people in the Jordon, but he did not forgive sins. He was preparing people for the coming of Jesus, who would and could forgive sins, for He was God. John was preaching to people to mend their ways and prepare for the Lamb of God, Jesus.
What is often misunderstood is that he will baptize Jesus. Often it is brought up that Jesus did not need to be baptized; he was sinless. Why then did he have himself baptized by John? This goes to the very root of what Baptism is. He was baptized by John to show his solidarity with those being baptized; in other words, He was joining the community of human beings striving for forgiveness and to lead a better life. This is the real definition of the Church: a community of people striving to live a good life with others. Jesus wanted to show His presence and joy of being with them in this holy endeavor
There are many different ways that Baptism is administered; some receive it as babies. Some believe you must choose Baptism for yourself when you can make informed choices; others believe you must be immersed head to toe; others are sprinkled with water. The words are the same regardless of age or immersion; they are given us by Christ himself at the end of St. Matthew’s Gospel. He is just about to ascend to heaven; His last command to his disciples" Therefore go and 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).
In most Christian churches, baptism is a Sacrament. Often called the sacrament of initiation. We enter into the Church; we begin a path to holiness and grace. It is not a free pass to heaven; it is a beginning in the Christian community. It is not the golden ticket to joy and happiness; it is the start of the path that leads to heaven. Why do people think that if we are baptized, either as adults or as children, it is certain, and we are assured of heaven? No, it is a beginning; you can understand why some pastors will not baptize children if they are not going to be raised in a Christian life by their parents. Or they want to make sure that the adult person knows and understands the commitment they are making by being baptized. Even in the funeral prayers, Baptism is mentioned; it is where we begin our pilgrimage to overcoming our selfish human condition with divine grace.
Heavenly Father, in your love you have called us to know you, led us to trust you, and bound our life with yours. Surround this child with your love, protect it from evil. Fill it with the Holy Spirit and receive it into the family of your church, that it may walk with us in the way of Christ, and grow in the knowledge of your love. ( Baptismal Prayer)