Infant Baptism at Mount Calvary in Lancaster County PA

Learn about the Biblical View of Infant Baptism at Mount Calvary

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

~ Luke 18:15-17

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The baptismal rite follows this order:

  • An explanation of baptism for the review of all who gather—why we are here and what we are doing.
  • Exorcism. Born in sin and property of the devil, baptism is where Christ becomes owner.
  • Application of the sign of the holy cross, marked as Christ’s.
  • A prayer for the child.
  • Luther’s flood prayer—the great water redemption stories of the OT.
  • The welcome of little children by Jesus as recorded in Mark’s Gospel.
  • The Lord’s Prayer with the laying on of hands.
  • The blessing for this child in everything in their life, where they go and do and where they return and rest.
  • The renunciation of the devil. (Answers spoken by the sponsors.)
  • The confession of the apostolic faith. (Answers spoken by the sponsors on behalf of the child.)
  • The desire to be baptized. (Answers spoken by the sponsors on behalf of the child.)
  • The baptism itself in the name of the Triune God with the application of water. (The pastor takes up the child in his arms.)
  • The putting on of the white garment (or the child can wear this to baptism). (If you do not have one the white garment is an option not a necessity.)
  • The presentation of the baptismal candle to the parents.
  • The blessing where God promises to strengthen them in His Word going forward.

A few notes (things requested of the parents):

  • We reserve seats in the back row if that suits you. The baptismal party can sit in that row. Let me know how many guests you may have so I can write down the number of pews to reserve.
  • A baptismal hymn or special hymn may be chosen. If one is meaningful to you or your wife, send it along.
  • The name can be sent to me when you so desire. If a baptismal banner cannot be made in time for the baptism, we will get it to you as soon as we can. (The couple that makes the banner is around 85 years of age. We put the first name on the banner.)
  • Sponsors. Individuals chosen are normally those who are Lutherans who confess the faith as taught in the Small Catechism and who witness the baptism of the child. If none are available, you may pick some (such as family members or friends) who are Trinitarian Christians who support this teaching and will pray for the child and encourage them in the faith and you as parents in raising the child in the faith. If you request sponsors in the congregation, you may do so. You also ask me to choose some. Sponsors meet with me 30 minutes prior to the baptism in my office to go through the rite of the blessing of sponsors.

Additional details:

  • Speak about crying in church for the couples who are having their first child. (We are happy that your child is in church. Please know that above all else you will notice your crying child more than we will.)
  • Speak about flash photography and staged photos after the service. (We ask that all photography done by friends or relatives during the baptism doesn’t detract from the event itself.)
  • Give parents prayer cards for use with their children. (In your box at church. Put them by the crib. Good short prayers to use.)
  • Get baptismal certificate(s) ready. (Our job.)
  • Get sponsors materials together. (They get a nice little pamphlet and a certificate.)

 

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FAQ’s

  • QUESTION: What are the teachings of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod regarding who may be a godparent for a child? Can non-LCMS individuals serve as sponsors? What responsibilities would the godparent be agreeing to?
  • ANSWER: In response to the question “Why does the church encourage the use of sponsors at Baptism?” Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (Concordia Publishing House, 1991 edition) summarizes as follows:
  • “Sponsors witness that those who receive this sacrament have been properly baptized. They also pray for them and in the case of children, help with their Christian upbringing, especially if they should lose their parents.”
  • The Catechism adds: “Only those of the same confession of faith should be sponsors.” One of the reasons for this practice is to avoid putting family members or friends who belong to churches of a different confession in a difficult or compromising situation, in which they would be asked to take vows that they may not be able to carry out in good conscience (given their own religious views and convictions).
  • The LCMS entrusts to individual pastors and congregations the responsibility of making decisions about finding ways to involve such people in the baptismal service (e.g., sometimes they are asked to serve as “witnesses” to the baptism).
  • Since decisions in this regard often depend on the specific circumstances involved, it is best to speak to the pastor himself about such matters. He would also be able to share more specific information about the form of the baptismal service used in his congregation and the precise wording of the vows that sponsors or godparents are asked to take.