Trinity Episcopal church

Watertown

BAPTISM

“Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”  Romans 6.4

Most Americans, if they have ever been to a baptism, would probably describe it as a relatively orderly affair.  The usual images that are conjured up involve long white silk gowns and lots of extended family members slightly miffed at having been dragged away from their usual Sunday morning routine of coffee, waffles and the paper. 

 By and large baptisms are usually orderly occasions.  But the imagery the Church has been given about baptism is ANYTHING BUT prim and proper.  Baptism, according to the bible, is downright messy.  Baptism evokes images of graves, of a death to sin, a voluntary giving up of the status quo in order to be plunged into the living water of the River of life that is God.  God calls us to something new.  Baptism is the way we get on that path.

There are some important decisions to be made that have very little to do with family customs and outdoor parties.

 Will you turn away from other influences, habits, distractions, and re-orient your life around Jesus?  Will you, in his name, dedicate your life to his service and the service of others?  Do you really believe that Jesus can save you from yourself?  These are some of the questions you will have to engage as you discern whether or not you want to “take the plunge”—or make this decision on behalf of your children.

 In short, baptism is ultimately a decision about Jesus. 

 It would be callous of us to assume that you can make this momentous a decision based on information from a website.  These sorts of conversations always involve a personal meeting with the clergy.  However, we can give an answer to the single most commonly asked question:  “What do I have to do to get my kid baptized?”