The Sign of the Promise

Today was an important day in our family...Charlie was baptized this morning at our church (Rainbow Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Rainbow City). We have been members of this church since right before Charlie was born. Our search for a church home began when Alex and I were just dating. We visited different churches and searched through different denominations. It was a difficult search, but thankfully we found a wonderful church home where we can grow individually, as a couple, and as a family.

My parents were able to join us for the worship service this morning for Charlie's baptism. We took some pictures of our family this morning before we left for church. (We are standing in front of a hydrangia plant that was 'transplanted' as a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Patterson's home -- former church family and dear friends -- right before they moved -- it is still thriving here and has grown as our little home has grown!)



Because I have done the Presbyterian thing and have gotten 'sprinkled' and then did the Baptist thing and got 'dunked,' I obviously did much research and prayer on this one!! Our pastor, Lea, did a wonderful job explaining that there is a big difference between 'believer's baptism' and 'infant baptism.' Unfortunately, we didn't get that part on tape. However, I wanted to include in this post several different statements regarding infant baptism to help increase understanding of its 'divinely intended benefits':

• The promise of the covenant is clearly given in the new dispensation to the children in the covenant family. "The promise is unto you and unto your children" (Acts 2:39). If the child has received the promise, the child is also to receive the sign of the promise.
• In infant baptism, the parents exercise faith and claim the covenant promise for their child. Therefore, the sign of that promise is rightly administered to the child.
• New Testament believing parents present your child in obedience to the command of God that the sign of the covenant promise of grace be administered to the children of the parents living within that covenant relationship.
• What a blessing for the baby whose parents admit early that this child does need the cleansing grace of Jesus Christ! They will train him accordingly and that is a great blessing for the baby indeed!
• The argument is sometimes given that the infant is too young to understand what is transpiring, and so receives no blessing from the service. Thank the Lord that understanding is not always a prerequisite to the experience of His blessing!
• Challenge to the parents: Since your child has received the promise, encourage, URGE your child to respond to that promise.

I really enjoyed reading these and other statements from "Your Baby's Baptism" by Dr. W. Wilson Benton, Jr., and it has really helped me to further understand what this is all about.

My dad was able to video part of the baptism, so even though the angle is not perfect and it is a little fuzzy -- you can still be a part of the celebration with us via this website! The man standing to my left is Ben Connally, the elder representative from the church. He also was the very first person to welcome us to the church on our first visit (FYI -- he is an Auburn grad!!). We were very thankful to him for standing with us, and of course very thankful to our pastor Lea for his leadership!

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him..." Psalm 127:3