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Questions & Answers about Baptism
Why do we baptize?
In the United Methodist Church we baptize for two reasons:
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First and foremost we baptize to celebrate and acknowledge God's creation
of us and claim on us.
Secondly, we baptize to intentionally orient ourselves to living a
life which shows our awareness of God's ownership of us. |
Do I need to be rebaptized?
We believe baptism is a one-time event celebrating and marking what
God has already done in one's life. We do celebrate a renewal of
baptism vows as part of the life of the Christian community.
Why do we use water?
As we are born from the water of the womb, so in baptism we are born
into Christian life. Water symbolizes nourishment and growth. As rain must
water the fields to bear crops, the waters of baptism begin a lifelong
process of growth toward God. Water also symbolizes death, our dying
to the old and being born anew.
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as
Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might
walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4
How is adult baptism different from infant baptism?
In infant baptism, parents or sponsors make a commitment to
raise the child as a follower of Christ in the Community of Faith.
In adult baptism, adults make the commitment on their own behalf,
repenting their previous lives and turning their face toward God.
"...then I will welcome you and I will be your father, and you shall
be my sons and daughters,' says the Lord."
2 Cor 6:17, 18
Does Catalina Practice Private Baptisms?
No. We believe the journey of faith is not walked alone.
We rely on others to uphold us, encourage us, guide us and care for us,
as we grow in faith. At baptism the community of faith accepts the
responsibility of supporting and building up each other.
Why do we baptize infants?
Because the redeeming love of God extends to all persons and because
Jesus explicitly included the children in his kingdom, we recognize God's
love especially in those unable to speak for themselves and take very seriously
our responsibility as a community of faith to train them in the Word of
God and in the fellowship of the church in preparation for the time when
they do make profession of faith.
What are the requirements to be baptized?
When we are baptized, we are stating we will respond to God's
presence in our lives by fulfilling our Christian responsibilities, by
obeying Christ's instruction to open ourselves to be part of God's blessing
for others, and by living lives of humility, love and service to all.
Baptism is an event in which the community takes responsibility for each
other; therefore it is very important to be active in the community, developing
relationships which will sustain and nourish lives of faith. Regular
participation in the life of the church, including worship, is expected.
For infants, at least one parent or guardian must be an active member of
Catalina.
What is expected after baptism?
Because we believe in the transforming power of God and therefore believe
baptism marks a new life, it is expected that the new life is as a Christ
follower. Regular worship, prayer, soul exploration through a small
group or classes, and giving of energies and resources for the advancement
of God's kingdom are but a partial list of the ways this is acted out.
Perhaps most important is an attitude of humility and service. These
are especially important for parents of baptized infants who have made
vows to guide their child by teaching and example into a life of graceful
living.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 28:19
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