|
More Baptismal Thoughts
In recent weeks, I have shared how in the early church people who went through a three-year preparation period for baptism were called catecumens (from the Greek word for 'echo' as they were to be an echo of Christ). The early church practiced infant baptism as the family made a commitment to raise the child in a Christian home - later the child could 'confirm' their baptism.
At one time, Presbyterians referred to the confirmation process as 'communicant's class'; children could be received at Communion/The Lord's Supper only after they had been confirmed. In recent years, we have welcomed everyone to the Table, including children when their parents believe that they have a proper understanding of communion. Nancy Exline offers a periodic 'communion workshop' to instruct our children; the next workshop is scheduled for September 30.
Presbyterians do not believe that a person must be baptized to go to heaven. Baptism is a sign of the new covenant that God has made with us in Christ. As the Israelites were delivered from the pursuit of Pharoah's army and passed through the waters to the promised land, so Baptism celebrates God's deliverance of us from death, through the waters of our baptism.
In faith,
Pastor Tim
|
