An Infant Baptism

This morning I experienced an infant baptism at the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP)Church in Annapolis. The pastor's explanatory remarks were helpful as I wondered how contemporary EPers deal with their 400 yr history and tradition of infant baptism. I've been aware that while contemporary Anabaptists take credit for spawning the entire notion of believer's baptism, over the years, the practice has become widely accepted into many mainstream fellowships across the denominational spectrum as the Christian church continues to mature over the centuries

In reality, the baptism was a baby confirmation. Recognizing that baptism doesn't save the child's soul, Pastor O'Neil likenend it to a symbol or a sign of what is yet to come. Furthermore, he suggested it was like a courtship and an engagement period of a promise that has been made while a marriage has not yet been realized. In this morning's ceremony, parents were given a serious reminder and solemn charge and promised to bring up and train their son in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and having done so, could expect that one day God would 'invade' this child's life and bring him to Himself. It was a 2 party contract: as much about parental training as the Grace of God saving the baby's soul.

Whatever notions we hold about salvation --- being on the Calvinistic end-- it 'being all about the grace of God' or man's effort in 'working out our salvation', this morning the balance felt healthy. Man's effort and cooperation is needed in partnership with the grace of God.

Isn't it kind of ironic? Today many Anabaptists dedicate their babies soon after birth and dedicated believers within the 'high church' traditions have moderated their beliefs surrounding infant babptism.