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Further Thoughts on Baptism
The early church followed the tradition of infant baptism. Parents made a promise to raise their children in a Christian home and teach them 'the way' of Christ. Later, when children reached the age of reason (early teens), the child could choose to confirm their baptism. This is still the practice of most Christian churches today.
While an infant cannot make the promise to follow Christ, in the early church a stand-in, or Godfather, was chosen by the family. The Godfather would take the vows for the child and would assume responsibility, along with the parents, for the child's growth in the faith. During the Reformation, it was considered more appropriate for the entire church-family, rather than one individual, to take vows to support the child in their Christian walk. In the Presbyterian Church, while sometimes families choose honorary Godparents, it is understood that we are all the 'corporate Godfathers and Godmothers' with responsibility to assist parents in the care and nurturing of all our children.
Another interesting note - when children were baptized they were blessed seven times because it was understood that there were seven gifts of the spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of God.
May grace abound and may we continue in our baptism as we are blessed with the gifts of the Spirit!
In faith,
Pastor Tim
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