An Ecumenical Understanding of Baptism

The following information concerning baptism was taken, for the most part from the document, Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry, prepared by the Would Council of Churches in cooperation with theologians from all the mainline denominations plus the Roman Catholic Church, including United Methodist theologians. This document is a statement of what is agreed upon by these theologians and constitutes an important guideline for churches as they struggle with the meaning of baptism, eucharist, and ministry.

     Christian baptism is rooted in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, in his death and in his resurrection. It is incorporation into Christ, and entry into the New Covenant between God and God's people. It is a gift of God given in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It was commanded by the risen Lord of his disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). It was a practice attested to by most of the New Testament works. And it is a practice churches continue today as a rite of commitment to the Lord who bestows his grace upon his people.

     The Meaning of Baptism. Baptism is the sign of new life through Jesus Christ. It unites the one baptized with Christ and with God's people. The New Testament scriptures and the liturgy of the Church unfold the meaning of baptism in various images which express the riches of Christ and the gifts of his salvation. These images are sometimes linked with the symbolic uses of water in the Old Testament. Baptism is participation in Christ's death and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12); a washing away of sin (I Cor. 6:11); a new birth (John 3:5); an enlightenment by Christ (Eph. 5:14); a reclothing in Christ (Gal 3:27); a renewal by the Spirit (Titus 3:5); the experience of salvation from the flood (I Peter 3:20-21); an exodus from bondage (I Cor. 10:1-2) and a liberation into a new humanity in which barriers of division whether of sex or race or social status are transcended (Gal. 3:27-28; I Cor. 12:13). The images are many but the reality is one.
     Administered in obedience to our Lord, baptism is a sign and seal of our common discipleship. through it we are brought into union with Christ, with each other and with the Church of every time and place. Our common baptism, which unites us to Christ in faith is, thus, a basic bond of unity. We are one people and are called to confess and serve one Lord in each place and in all the world. The union with Christ which we share through baptism has important implications for Christian unity. "There is...one baptism, one God and Father of us all..." (Eph. 4:4-6). When baptismal unity is realized in one holy, catholic, apostolic Church, a genuine Christian witness can be made to the healing and reconciling love of God. Therefore, our one baptism into Christ constitutes a call to the churches to overcome their divisions and visibly manifest their fellowship.

      Baptism and Faith. Baptism is both God's gift as well as our human response to that gift. It looks toward growth into a measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). Faith for salvation and personal commitment is acknowledged by all churches as necessary for responsible membership in the Body of Christ.
      Baptism is not just a momentary experience, but a life-long growth into Christ. It is a life of being transformed (II Cor. 3:18). It is a life of living for Christ, for the Church, and for the sake of the world which Christ loves, while waiting for the time when God will be all in all (Rom. 8:18-24; I Cor. 15:22-28).
      Those who are baptized share in a ministry wherein they witness together to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Liberator of all humans. This ministry calls Christians to live holy lives while striving for the realization of God's will in all of life (Rom. 6:9ff; Gal 3:27-28; I Peter 2:21-4:6).

      Baptismal Practice -- Baptism of Believers and Infants: In the course of history, the practice of baptism has developed in a variety of forms. Some churches baptize infants brought by parents or others who are ready, in and with the Church, to bring up the children in the Christian faith. Other practice exclusively the baptism of believers who are able to make a personal confession of faith. All churches baptize believers coming from other religions or from unbelief who accept the Christian faith and participate in catechetical instruction.
      Both the baptism of believers and the baptism of infants take place in the Church as the community of faith. When one who can answer for himself or herself is baptized, a personal confession of faith will be an integral part of the baptismal service. When an infant is baptized, the personal response will be offered at a later moment in life. In both cases, the baptized person will have to grow in understanding of faith. For those baptized upon their own confession of faith, there is always the constant requirement of a continuing growth of personal response in faith. In the case of infants, personal confession is expected later, and Christian nurture is directed in eliciting of this confession. All baptism is rooted in and declares Christ's faithfulness unto death. It has its setting within the life and faith of the Church and, through the witness of the whole Church, points to the faithfulness of God, the ground of all life in faith. At every baptism the whole congregation reaffirms its faith in God and pledges itself to provide an environment of witness and service. Baptism should, therefore, always be celebrated and developed in the setting of the Christian community.
     Baptism is an unrepeatable act. Any practice which might be interpreted as "rebaptism" must be avoided.

       Baptism--Chrismation-Confirmation: In God's work of salvation, the paschal mystery of Christ's death and resurrection is inseparably linked with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Similarly, participation in Christ's death and resurrection is inseparably linked with the receiving of the Spirit. Baptism in its full meaning signifies and effects both.
      Christian baptism takes place through water and the Holy Spirit.

      Baptism and Communion: If baptism, as incorporation into the Body of Christ, points by its very nature to the eucharistic sharing of Christ's body and blood, the question arises as to how a further and separate rite can be interposed between baptism and admission to communion. Those churches which baptize children but refuse them a share in the eucharist before such a rite (such as confirmation) may wish to ponder whether they have fully appreciated and accepted the consequences of baptism.
       Baptism needs to be constantly reaffirmed. The most obvious form of such reaffirmation is the celebration of the eucharist. The renewal of baptismal vows may also take place during such occasions as the baptism of others.

Towards Mutual Recognition of Baptism:
      Churches are increasingly recognizing one another's baptism as the one baptism into Christ when Jesus Christ has been confessed as Lord by the candidate or, in the case of infant baptism, when confession has been made by the church (parents, guardians, etc.) and affirmed later by personal faith and commitment. Mutual recognition of baptism is acknowledged as an important sign and means of expressing the baptismal unity given in Christ. Whenever possible, mutual recognition should be expressed by the different churches in a community.
      In order to overcome their difference, believer baptists and those who practice infant baptism should reconsider certain aspects of their practices. The first may seek to express more visibly the fact that children are placed under the protection of God's grace. The latter must guard themselves against the practice of apparently indiscriminate baptism and take more seriously their responsibility for the nurture of baptized children to mature commitment to Christ.

The Celebration of Baptism:
      Baptism is administered with water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
      In the celebration of baptism the symbolic dimension of water should be taken seriously and not minimalized.
      As was the case in the early centuries, the gift of the Spirit in baptism may be signified in various ways; for example, by the sign of the laying on of hands, anointing or chrismation.
      Baptism is normally administered by an ordained minister, though in certain circumstances others are allowed to baptize.
      Since baptism is intimately connected with the corporate life and worship of the Church, it should normally be administered during public worship, so that members of the congregation may be reminded of their own baptism and may welcome into their fellowship those who are baptized and whom they are committed to nurture in the Christian faith. The sacrament is appropriate to great festival occasions such as Easter, Pentecost and Epiphany, as was the practice in the early Church.