Baptisms are a key part of the Christian faith. These ceremonial events act as a renewal for churchgoers since they are “cleansed” of their sins during this ritual. Baptism is the Christian spiritual rite of pouring water on a person’s head or immersing them in water. This is done in the hope of purification or renewal for acceptance into the Christian church. This ceremony can be held for people of all ages, ranging from babies to adults, and has a long history of being utilized by members of the Christian faith. One notable baptism as recorded by the Bible occurred when John the Baptist conducted a baptism for Jesus Christ. John, in his role as a Baptist, preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 3:13-17).
There are multiple steps when undertaking a baptism ceremony. Baptism begins with the Sign of the Cross being traced on the forehead. This represents that the mystery of the cross is at the heart of the Christian faith. Another step includes the submerging in water or the pouring of water onto the person being baptized. This reminds the person being baptized that when someone dies, they do so with Jesus Christ as their chosen savior. They also die to conquer sin, with the goal of rising with Jesus Christ to enter a new life.
The words of the Baptism are also spoken during such ceremonies, which states “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” These words are spoken as the water is poured on the person being baptized, or as they are being immersed in water. This text is used to reveal that God in the Trinity is both the source of life and a baptized person’s life’s goal.
The baptized person is then anointed with sacred oil which represents the Holy Spirit which resides within them. The anointing also acts as a sign for that person to live and love as Jesus Christ lived and loved.
Before any of these steps can take place, you’ll want to take action with your pastor to ensure that a successful baptism will occur. First, check to see that your pastor has a baptism certificate. You need to guarantee that your pastor has the experience, and training required to conduct a successful baptism. Once you’ve checked on these credentials, it would be best to schedule a chat with your pastor about the baptism.
First, confirm how your church handles a baptism Though the steps are the same, each house of worship handles the overall experience differently. For example, one church might host baptisms on special weeks, while other churches will host a baptism whenever it is needed. It is best to discuss such matters when planning a baptism with your pastor.
Secondly, check with your pastor to see if there are any special supplies that might need to be purchased for the ceremony. Will you need to purchase the baptismal candle, or is this something which the church provides? In the case of an infant baptismal, would it work to utilize a ceremonial stroller from a place like www.strollerbuzz.com/bob-stroller-comparison/ for the purposes of the ceremony? Some of these questions might sound silly, but it helps to get answers from your pastor, so the baptism goes off without a hitch.
Also, confirm with your pastor the number of people who can attend the event. Though this is a ceremony that you want to share with all your loved ones, sometimes a baptism must be kept small and somewhat private for a few reasons. First, and foremost, the size of the church can determine the number of people who can attend. Secondly, the health of your attendees must be taken into consideration, in this COVID-19 world which we are currently living in. Getting this confirmed with your pastor can save a lot of headaches when planning for a baptism.