Is Baptism the Same Thing as Christening?

You would be surprised how often I address this question as a pastor.  Sometimes Christians use the words baptism and christening interchangeably.  On other occasions, people have asked, "isn't infant baptism simply a dedication of the child with real baptism coming later, when they can decide for themselves?"  Yet, baptisms, especially of children, are some of the most holy and special moments in our worship services.  Perhaps it is worth spending some time reflecting on the meaning of baptism for our spiritual lives today.

I begin by answering the question that is the title of this article:  is infant baptism the same thing as "christening" or "dedication"?  The answer is no.  Christening is  a service of giving a child a Christian name (so it is possible to do a  baptism and a Christening at the same time) and dedication is when parents dedicate/offer a child to God and to the care of a church congregation.  In each case what is emphasized is the act of the parents in presenting the child. 

In Baptism, we as United Methodists, emphasize the action of God.  That is why we call baptism a sacrament.  That said, while a parent schedules the baptism and presents the child for baptism, in the act of pouring the water, it is God who acts to claim and bless the child.  We believe that it is God reaching out, before the child can say or do anything.  In the Methodist tradition we call this Prevenient Grace, or the grace that goes before us.  So, when we baptize a child, it is "real" baptism because God is the main actor. 

What exactly is God doing in baptism, though.  The first thing is that God is giving us His love and grace that, as we said above, exists before we say or do anything.  In the scriptures this is often how God acts.  God reached out to restore Israel (even after they had messed things up) before they asked.  In Jesus, God came offering a new covenant of grace, before people responded one way or the other.  Baptism, then, is God's way of saying to us, "I want to be in relationship with YOU."  The waters of baptism mark an individual as one claimed by God and therefore in relationship with God.  In baptism we don't believe in a God that is sitting back waiting for us to get it right before reaching out to us in grace, from the forefront God is there seeking us and claiming us.  It is all dependant on God, not on our actions or decisions. 

This said, in baptism God also brings us into a relationship with others who are living in relationship and covenant with God, the Church.  Baptism is not merely joining the church, it is becoming a part of God's covenant community across the world.  This is God's action and gift to us, other people to help us learn and grow. 

Why then, specifically, are infants baptized.  The scriptures are very clear that to Jesus, children were not to be left out of the Kingdom of God just because they were kids and hadn't made a decision for themselves, yet.  (Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17)  In fact, Jesus scolded those who tried to keep them away.  God's love and grace is not dependant on our ability to respond.  This inclusion of children in God's covenant community was also a part of the Hebrew scriptures (Deuteronomy 29:10-15).  Further, the early church also baptized children (Acts 2:38-41).  Thus, we come from a long tradition of baptizing children in the name of Jesus Christ.

If baptism is all about God, then, what is the role of the individual?  From our perspective, we must live up to our end of the covenant and choose to be a disciple of Jesus Christ for ourselves (this is about our action, though).  This is why we have a confirmation process for those who have been baptized (or those who will be baptized prior to confirmation) to learn and make a decision for him/herself.  But our decision one way or another, does not negate God's original love and grace towards us and even if we don't choose God, God still chooses to be in relationship with us.  God does not walk away from the promises made in baptism.

This is why, then, that we as United Methodists (along with other mainline Christian denominations) do not re-baptize.  If baptism were simply about our decision to choose God, or not, that would be one thing, but baptism is about God's promises to us (to love us, to claim us, to help us grow).  If there is one thing that we proclaim about God loud and clear it is that God is always faithful!  The act of re-baptizing would be a way of saying God has fallen short of God's promises.

There are times, however, when an individual would like to reaffirm his/her side of the covenant with God.  As Methodists we celebrate a renewal of our baptismal/confirmation vows, but not a completely new baptism.  In fact here at Memorial we do a renewal of our baptism service each year in January in the morning worship services.  Individuals can also reaffirm their commitment any other time of the year, as they are so led, just give me a call.  What is important to remember as it relates to baptism, though, is that while we as humans may fail on our end of the covenant, God does not fall short. 

To close, baptism is about God's work and action towards us...not our response to God.  Certainly we have a responsibility on our end of the covenant, but our success or failure does not alter God's love towards us.  That said, baptism can never be invalidated because it was God's action in the first place...not ours.  Further, baptism is not age dependant.  God loves us and claims us from the moment our lives begin, we cannot live outside of God's love.

Baptism is the beginning of a journey then, a journey that begins and ends with God's grace!

You are the hands and feet of Christ!

Rev. Brett