We Protestants have what seems like a paltry two sacraments compared to the seven of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions. We lift up Holy Communion and Baptism because they are the only sacraments Jesus did himself. A sacrament is, simply, a gift from God that we receive through grace and do not earn. This is why I have always maintained that making children go through Confirmation so they can receive Holy Communion is wrong; a human rite cannot control something sacred that is given to us by God. But back to Baptism. The central question for me has always been this: does a person have to be baptized with water to go to heaven? The Quakers say no, and I agree with them.
For me, infant baptism isn’t about washing away original sin. I wrote about my rejection of this man-made theology last week. I cannot believe a child would go to hell or limbo for lack of water. I tell parents that the words they and the congregation say – to support and raise this child as a follower of Jesus – are really what matters most. Second, believer’s baptism, which is practiced by evangelical (among others) Christians isn’t wrong, but it is the same as the baptism of John the Baptist. It is, technically, a work. People came to repent, and John dunked them in the Jordan River, washing their sins away. The use of baptism, which has been a practice of other religions before Christianity, was a “visible sign of an invisible grace” and could be done by anyone for anyone; you don’t need to be ordained to splash about in the font. Baptism is and was a public statement of faith, either by a grown person, a child, or parents, since babies can’t speak for themselves. That’s where the Rite of Confirmation comes in.
I was baptized at 19; my parents were not religious and chose not to have us baptized. They also never told us; I just had a hunch. I fully embraced the decision to be baptized even though I had already been confirmed (nobody asked!) because I felt that I needed as much grace in my life as I could find, and baptism connected me to the communion of saints in a tangible way. I have known many unbaptized people who believed and lived grace-filled lives, so no, the water isn’t mandatory for entrance through the Pearly Gates. It is one assurance of God’s love; it is a way for parents to solidify their commitment to do their best to bring the faith to their children. I love baptizing people, especially adults, because it is a joyful experience that makes even the most curmudgeonly among us smile. But do we have to get sprinkled, dunked or splashed by H2O to get to meet Jesus? I would say no. I might be wrong – I guess I will find out eventually. What do you think?
Prayer – Holy God, thank You for the gifts of the sacraments. Thank You for how they make us feel and the grace they impart. We cherish them. Amen.
Today’s art is “Rappahannock Baptism” by Mirinda Reynolds.