Baptism is the way people are welcomed into the Church (that’s the worldwide community of Christians, not just Methodism) and marks the beginning of a journey of faith [hyperlink to MWOL?].
Along with Holy Communion [LINK: relevant section], Baptism is one of two sacraments recognised by the Methodist Church. Sacraments are practices – initiated by Jesus in the Bible – that the Church celebrates as an outward sign of something God is already doing in a person.
While water is always used in Baptism, this can be through a pouring of water on the head (as is common in the Baptism of children) or through full immersion, where the person being baptised is lowered into a body of water and then brought up again (more common in adult baptisms).
Either way, the water acts as a powerful sign of that which separates us from God being washed away, so we can enter the new life that Jesus offers through his death and resurrection.
Can my child be baptised in a Methodist Church?
Yes! While some Christian denominations do not baptise infants, the Methodist Church has always done so – rooted in a belief that God is already reaching out to, and at work in, children long before they are able to respond to God personally.
Baptism is primarily a gift and act of God, more than it is an act of humans. In Methodism, infant baptism is a witness to the truth that God’s grace (the active, unearned, redeeming love of God) comes before, not after, our response to it. [link to prevenient grace]
In the baptism service, parents make promises that they will nurture the child in the faith and life of the Christian community.
Parents wishing to have their children baptised should approach their local Methodist minister. The minister will be able to explain what's involved. This may involve, in some cases, parents being willing to undertake a number of sessions to learn about the Christian faith and the meaning of Baptism.
Can I be baptised as an adult in a Methodist Church?
Yes! While Methodists celebrate infant baptisms, people of any age can be baptized.
If you want to explore Baptism as a step in your journey of faith, contact your local minister.
Can I be baptised more than once?
Some people who were baptised as children, but did not subsequently have an active faith of their own, experience a spiritual renewal later in life. They may then desire – as in baptism – to publicly make promises to God and be formally welcomed into Christian community.
The Methodist Church believes that the sacrament of Baptism is unrepeatable – that a person’s actions or beliefs following their Baptism can do nothing to invalidate the work of God in that rite. As such, if you were baptised as a child but have only discovered an active faith later in life, you cannot be baptised again.
However, there are other meaningful ways in which believers can make a public display of faith – principally through Confirmation and Reception into Membership. Confirmation is a public declaration of the promises you made – or were made on their behalf – at your baptism.
For those who have been baptised previously, Reaffirmation of Baptismal Faith is also possible. Reaffirmation of Baptismal Faith may involve water – as in Baptism – but should not be confused with Baptism itself, which cannot be repeated.
Do I need to be baptised to be saved?
In Methodism, Baptism is an important and joyous part of the journey of faith, but it is not in itself the means of salvation. There is diversity of thought within Methodism on the particulars of how we are saved, and indeed – what we are saved from and for.
But while Methodists believe grace is offered freely and – as infant Baptism is a demonstration of – precedes personal faith, there is an expectation that we must respond to that grace through faith in Jesus for that redeeming work to be fully realised.
Baptism is not separate from God’s work of redeeming and saving people and creation, but nor is it a one-and-done ticket to the coming Kingdom of Heaven. Ultimately, nothing is needed for salvation except the grace of God [LINK: grace section].
However, Baptism is a means of grace and being baptised is an expression of obedience to Jesus who commanded his followers to make disciples by baptising people.
What is the difference between Baptism, christening and dedication/thanksgiving?
You may sometimes hear baptisms involving children referred to as christenings. This is not a separate practice in the Church, but simply another name for Baptism – usually linked to the historical practice of the giving of a ‘Christian’ name during a Baptism service.
Sometimes people use christening to refer to the worship service in which the sacrament of Baptism is celebrated. In Methodism, Baptism is the more common term.
A thanksgiving or dedication service is different: Some parents believe, on reflection, that a service of Baptism is not the most appropriate service for them and their child. They may think it is too weighty in terms of their own faith, or that the promises involved go beyond what they can say with integrity.
Some parents may be adopting a child who has already been baptised.
Some may have a child who was baptized in emergency circumstances in hospital or at home.
Other parents, who may themselves be committed Christians, feel strongly (because Baptism is so meaningful) that they want their child to be able to ask for Baptism, if and when they are ready to respond for themselves.
All nevertheless want to thank God publicly now for the safe arrival of their child and express their love for that child. This can be done at a service called an Act of Thanksgiving after the Birth or Adoption of a Child.
If you are not sure whether Baptism or an Act of Thanksgiving would be more appropriate for you and your child, talk it through with your minister, who will be able to advise.