What is Baptism?
Baptism (or Christening) is a gift from God by which we can more fully be a child of God. It is also a command of Jesus, a promise of the forgiveness of sins and the means by which we are joined to the family of the Christian church. Baptism is recognized in all mainstream Christian churches, across denominations.
Baptism is a sacrament of the church. A sacrament is an outward and visible sign with an inward and spiritual meaning. The outward signs of baptism are water & the sign of the cross.
The spiritual meaning of the water is the washing away of sin. As babies haven't sinned yet, they are brought for baptism to receive the promise of future forgiveness when combined with faith in Jesus & the acceptance of his sacrifice on the cross.
The spiritual meaning of the sign of cross is being adopted into God's family through faith in Jesus Christ. While baptism is a sign & a promise of the washing away of sin, it is only Christ's death on the cross which secures actual forgiveness of sins, and that is why both water & the sign of the cross are used together in baptism.
Baptism is always done in the name of the Trinity, signified by the sign of the cross, and the words "In the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit", which are said at the same time. This is because of the great commission Jesus gave to his disciples after his resurrection "Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you." Matthew 28:19-20a
Because the sacrament of baptism joins a person to the family of the church, the person is then welcome to be involved in the other sacraments of the church (Holy Communion, Confirmation, Confession, Marriage, Ordination, & Anointing).
Baptism is not a naming ceremony for your child, nor is it an insurance policy to make sure your child gets to heaven; and it is not just children who are able to be baptised, anyone who wishes to be baptised and believes that they have not already been baptised, can approach the church for baptism.
