Last Sunday I used an illustration of a dry sponge in worship (if you missed it, you can watch it on our website now thanks to Laura and crew!). I dipped one corner of the dry hard sponge in a bowl of water and commented that it was now pliable and useful in that corner. I then totally immersed it in water to indicate how our surrendered life in Christ should be (sorry about the water on the carpet, Lee!) We are pliable and useful in the hands of our Lord when we are “baptized” in the Spirit, as well.

I thought it might be helpful to continue on the baptism theme today and take a moment to explain about baptism in the United Methodist tradition. As you know, we baptize infants, children, teens and adults; both infant baptism and “believer’s baptism.” The picture of baptism is different in each case, but both are equally valid.

In infant baptism – which is really a carryover from the Anglican Church that John Wesley was originally a part of - parents take the vow to raise the child in the Church until “by the power of God they shall accept for themselves the gift of salvation and be confirmed as a full and responsible member of Christ’s Holy Church.” At Confirmation, the child “confirms” what their parents did for them in their baptism. It is not a salvation experience, but a preparation for salvation. The focus is on God’s grace at work in their lives even before they know the name of Jesus or have the opportunity to say “Yes” to Him. (Personally, this is my story. I was baptized as an infant and never rebaptized).

If a child is not baptized as an infant, then they participate in “believer’s baptism” as a child, teen or adult and are baptized after they have made a personal decision for Jesus Christ. This can occur at the time of Confirmation (usually in the seventh grade), but can happen anytime after a person is able to understand salvation.

As United Methodist Christians, we baptize by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion; though typically by sprinkling. We baptize in the Name of The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. At First Church and some other United Methodist Churches, we also practice infant dedication where the child is dedicated to the Lord and later receives baptism.

As United Methodists, we do not practice rebaptism. After all, either you’re baptized or you’re not. As we did at the Easter Sunrise Service, we do practice “affirmation of baptism.” That morning Kirk and I made the sign of the cross on each person’s forehead in water and offered a blessing or prayer. We can do that for any person so desiring, and personally, I’m not opposed to reaffirming a person’s baptism by immersion either. I love to baptize – it’s a beautiful symbol of God’s grace and activity in out lives. If you have further questions about baptism or other spiritual issues, Kirk's and my door are always open – that’s what we’re here for!

Blessings! See you Sunday!

Yours in Christ,
Mark