Book: It takes a church to baptize

Scot McKight's book it takes a church to baptize, unpacks the issues of baptism that have divided Protestant Christianity.  McKnight a lecturer at a Baptist Seminary, and an ordained Anglican explores how infant baptism is theological, biblical, historical and personal.   He answers many questions people have about Infant baptism in this book, It takes a church to baptize.

This book will be helpful in responding to people who struggle with Infant Baptism.

About the book

The issue of baptism has troubled Protestants for centuries. Should infants be baptized before their faith is conscious, or does God command the baptism of babies whose parents have been baptized?

Popular New Testament scholar Scot McKnight makes a biblical case for infant baptism, exploring its history, meaning, and practice and showing that infant baptism is the most historic Christian way of forming children into the faith. He explains that the church's practice of infant baptism developed straight from the Bible and argues that it must begin with the family and then extend to the church. Baptism is not just an individual profession of faith: it takes a family and a church community to nurture a child into faith over time. 

McKnight explains infant baptism for readers coming from a tradition that baptizes adults only, and he counters criticisms that fail to consider the role of families in the formation of faith. 

Editorial Reviews

"As someone who grew up Baptist and has wrestled deeply with questions about infant baptism, I wish I could have read this book years ago. McKnight has given the church an enduring gift--a book that is theologically rich, serious, and steeped in tradition yet accessible and readable. As a mother of young children and as a priest, I will put this book in the hands of many a friend and parishioner. If you are a parent deciding whether to baptize infant children, this book is essential reading."
--Tish Harrison Warren, priest in the ACNA, co-associate rector (Church of the Ascension Pittsburgh), and author of Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life

"Able, strong, wise, and biblically and theologically rich. There are a great number of confusions and misunderstandings about infant baptism that Scot thoughtfully clarifies. So even if you don't end up being convinced, you will know why people like Scot (and me) think it is a practice essential for proper Christian discipleship."
--Mark Galli, editor in chief, Christianity Today

"A cogent apology for the sacrament of infant baptism. McKnight, a New Testament scholar, writes in a comfortable and non-academic style that his readers will surely appreciate."
--Kathryn Greene-McCreight, Episcopal priest and author of Darkness Is My Only Companion: A Christian Response to Mental Illness

"McKnight provides a controversial though ultimately compelling case for infant baptism. It is not just the who and how of baptism that he tackles; the genius of this book is that McKnight elegantly explains what baptism is even about, what it means, what it does for the recipient, and why it really does take a church to baptize a child. This book could change your whole view of conversion, faith, family, children's ministry, and the church!"
--Michael F. Bird, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia

"The most compelling case for infant baptism available today. Not content to sprinkle with prooftexts, McKnight immerses his reader in the biblical, historical, and sacramental theology of this ancient Christian practice, and seals it with a testimony of how his mind was changed."
--Joel Scandrett, Robert E. Webber Center, Trinity School for Ministry

Service Order: Adult Baptism

The COMMAND TO BAPTIZE:

Jesus says: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything  have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.           Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

P:        The word of God tells us that we have all been born with sin, so we are sinners. For this reason God the Father sent Jesus to die on the cross, for all people.

When a person has been baptized and also believes in Jesus, God forgives that person’s sin. He takes him away from the devil. He makes him his friend. Then that person will live with God forever.

 

P:        Who presents this person for Baptism?

 

Witnesses: We do.

 

P:        Witnesses, since you present name  for holy baptism, continue to care for her/him. Set her a good example and remember her/him in your prayers. Encourage her/her to come to services in God’s house. Do you intend to do this? If so say “Yes, I do.”

Yes, We Do.

 

SIGN OF THE CROSS:

 

P:        I put the sign of the cross on your forehead and on your heart. From today you belong to Jesus.

 

Hear the Good News

 

Jesus says: I tell you the truth; no-one can see the kingdom of God without being born again; no-one can enter the kingdom of God without born through water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. John 3:3,5,6

 

P:        Let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us.

 

LORD’S PRAYER:

 

Our Father in Heaven:

Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come,

Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread, 

Forgive us our sins as we forgive

those who sin against us. 

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever.  Amen

 

P:        The Lord watch over you as you go out and come in,

now and forever.

 

Renunciation of the Devil

 

P: Do you renounce the devil?

 

            Yes, I renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways.

 

P:        Join with name in confessing the Christian faith

 

APOSTLES’ CREED:

                       

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.  And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilot, was crucified, dead and buried. 

He descended into hell. 

The third day he rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He will come the judge the living and the dead.

 I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian church,

the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.  Amen.

 

P: Do you want to be baptized?

 

            Yes, I do.

 

P: would you like to tell us about it.

 

Testimony

 

BAPTISM:      name

 

PRAY FOR:              name

 

All-powerful God, the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ,

we give you thanks. for freeing your sons and daughters from the power of sin

and for raising them up to a new life of grace.

Sustain them with your Holy Spirit:

the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and might,

the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord,

the spirit of joy in your presence. Amen

Name  I ask you to affirmation of Baptism

 

Vow: I promise to live

In the grace and power of my baptism.

I promise to grow in Christ

And in the knowledge of His Word.

I promise to serve Him

With all that I am,

And all that I have.

I promise to remain steadfast in His church

until the end.

I promise all these things

Trusting God to help me

With His grace and strength. Amen.

CANDLE

CERTIFICATES and Faith Box

Developed by Rev Jim Bryan

North American Association for the Catechumenate

The North American Association for the Catechumenate seeks to promote and nurture the catechumenal process in order that the whole faith community might fulfill Christ's commission to make disciples, baptizing and teaching all peoples.  

Its web site offers:

• Articles
• Bible Studies
• Catechumenate with Children and Youth
• Congregation to Catechumenal Community
• Faith and Font
• History and Theology
• Lectionary and Preaching
• Newsletters
• Information about similar Organizations
• Post Baptism: Mystagogy and Vocation
• Practical Help
• Presentations at Annual Gatherings
• Training: Designs, Implementation, Previous Training Events
• Video Resources
• Workshop Presentations
• Worship Resources
• An open forum to encourage interaction between those leading the catechumatal process.
• Information on their annual event

Visit the North American Association for the Catechumenate 

Discussion starter: All age baptism or infant baptism?

The term infant baptism...or the chant we baptise infants is a frequent statement by many in the Lutheran Church....
The statement is a good reminder that God welcomes even the youngest person, that everyone needs God's saving and that baptism is not primarily about what we do...but is what God is doing!!!
The statement is also used to distinguish ourselves from those churches and their theology who do not baptise infants.....

But is there a problem in using the term infant baptism???

The problem is, some see the term as exclusive rather than inclusive.   For some it implies that those who are baptised as infants are more important than those who are baptised later in life and for others they think that the the baptism of infants is something different than baptising older people ....but this is not the case, check out Galatians 3:26-29 and Ephesians 4:4-5

So wouldn't be better to use the term...we baptise people of all ages!!!


What do you think?


For resources and discussion on baptism http://lutheranmission.blogspot.com.au/2008/07/why-baptise-people-of-all-ages.html

Books and Resources by Pastor Mike Newman (most free...all helpful)

Mike Newman is a pastor with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Currently his calling is with the Texas District, in the area of ministry and mission for what they call area C.

He has written a number of books, some of which he offers free as a download.

On this site you will find the following resources.
Satan's Lies: overcoming the Devil's attempts to stunt your spiritual growth
Steps Forward: this weaves the ups and downs of life into stories of an ordinary family. Each chapter guides the reader to a healthy dependence on God’s strength and faithfulness.

The following are available for free download.
Harrison Town: Stories of a family that help refresh your heart and soul with God's grace.
God in the dance: making sense of baptism and Holy Communion in the Lutheran Church.
Jesus and the afterlife: Biblical answers to what happens when we die and what will heaven be like.
Who believes what: Information about various Christian denominations and other religions
A case for Christianity: Discover facts about the Bible’s accuracy and formation; dig into the history of Christianity; find out who Jesus really is.

To review and obtain these resources visit: http://www.abcpassages.org

Paper: A brief articulation of the Lutheran view of baptism

John Frasier has transferred his Christian affiliation from the Baptists to the Lutherans.

He was motivated by his belief that Lutheran distinctives were far more faithful to scripture than Baptists, see http://chaosandoldnight.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/why-i-became-a-lutheran/

As part of the journey he researched and wrote a paper...he says short, but at 50 pages it is detailed yet still reasonably easy to understand...that explains the Lutheran view of Baptism and why it is biblical...to view it visit http://chaosandoldnight.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/lutheran_view_of_baptism.pdf

Why baptise people of all ages, including infants?

One of aspect that people notice about Lutheran churches is that we baptise people of ages, including infants. Some Christians question whether this is appropriate and at times many Lutheran Christians struggle to explain why it is appropriate biblically. There are a number of places you can turn for such help:



Luther's small and large catechism, section on baptism.



Australian Lutheran College offers a publication online: The teaching and practice of baptism

This document provides answers to the questions

• What is baptism?


• What does God do for us in baptism?


• What makes baptism valid?


• Who can be baptised?


• Does the pastor have the final decision about who may be baptised?


• What are the requirements to be a baptismal sponsor?


• Why does the church baptise infants?


• What is the relationship between baptism and faith?


• Do Christians receive the Holy Spirit in baptism?


• What is the relationship between baptism and conversion?


• What is the connection between baptism and mission?


• What is the function of the Creed and the Lord's prayer in the baptismal rite?


• What ritual components can be added to emphasise the theology of baptism?


• What ritual components could be added to emphasise the celebratory character of baptism?
  What are the essential components of the rite?


• What is an appropriate form of the renunciation and confession for young children who can speak for themselves?


• The location and use of the baptismal font.


• How should preparation and instruction for baptism occur?


• What preparation should occur with regard to infants and small children?


• What preparation should occur in the case of adults?


• How can congregations care for the baptised-immediate and long term?


• How can the church help people remember and commemorate their baptism, and live as baptised people?

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod offers a short biblical response why they baptise infants at http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuTopic_topicID=53&cuItem_itemID=16061



Lutheran Church Missouri Synod offers a large section on Baptism...responding to many questions including why baptise infants?, History of infant baptism, etc..at http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2590



Lutheran Renewal movement offers two publications. God's activity of Grace by Dr Morris Vaagenes and 'What about baptism?' by Larry Christenson visit http://www.lutheranrenewal.org/ and click on resources

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offers this short article relating to baptism http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/New-or-Returning-to-Church/Dig-Deeper/Baptism-Lutheran-view.aspx


Luther Academy offers a book by David Scaer responding to many of the questions and issues that people have regarding baptism http://www.lutheracademy.com/baptism.htm



If you have any other resources either your own or those that you know of that you would like to share please feel free to email them to me