Contact
Traci Payne at 651-797-7801 or Traci.Payne@NHLC.org to register or with questions about upcoming baptism classes.
Regular Baptism Schedule
Next Pre-baptism classes will be held: Sunday February 12, 2012 12:15-1:15pm, Arden Hills Room N216
What is Baptism?
It was a vivid and powerful moment when Jesus was baptized; the Spirit descended like a luminescent dove from heaven, and God declared that Jesus was his Son. From that moment on, Jesus' public ministry began. Something powerful happens when someone is baptized. This is one of the conclusions to be drawn from the spectacular events that accompany Jesus' baptism. Even though our baptisms are not punctuated by such amazing manifestations, we know that something momentous has been done by God in our baptism. It shouldn't surprise us, then, that among Jesus' last words is a command to include baptism in the making of disciples. "Go and make disciples," Jesus said, "baptizing them into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." These words reveal that baptism is really about being a disciple. Being a disciple implies that there's learning that brings personal transformation. Learning for Jesus' disciples wasn't academic activity in a class room but being changed through Jesus' personal influence. For us, too, it means developing our personal relationship with Jesus and others. As a result, we look increasingly like our teacher and master, Jesus, and we become part of hs effort to transform our environment and touch other lives.
Don't Misunderstand Baptism
Baptism is not merely the politically-thing to do or the maintenance of a cultural tradition. It is for people who consider themselves ready to be disciples. It is for children of parents who intend to make disciples of their children. Baptism isn't a magical rite. It is theologicaly doubtful whether baptism, of itself, will save anybody who does not continue living in a meaningful faith, connected to Jesus. Consider that just as there are ways to repudiate your biological family and change your name, or to forfeit your rights as a citizen of one's country, it is also possible to lose what one has gained in baptism. Maybe this is why the man who baptized Jesus publicly rebuked others who were coming to be baptized, because he perceived their hearts were not right with God, and they had no intention of living a transformed life.
Jesus' Watermark
When we hold good stationery up to the light we see the exquisite watermark which identifies its quality and maker. In the same way, when the world holds us up to the light, it is God's desire that the mark of the cross becomes visible. Baptism establishes our identity. It leaves the mark of Jesus on us. In a public way we identify with Jesus' death and resurrection. It solidifies our relationship to Jesus, whether it is at the beginning of our life journey or when we're older. Just as all the Israelites were taken through the Red Sea in their great deliverance from Egypt, God desires that all Christians go through the waters of baptism as part of their journey.
The Jesus Culture
Baptism is our bonding to the family of God and to family values that may be very different than the values of the society that surround us. Indeed, the word disciple is the root of the word "discipline." Discipline is a lifestyle that continually strengthens and confirms one's values and identity. It includes behaviors such as community worship and participation in Holy Communion, use of the Bible, small group involvement, and using one's gifts in witness and service. All Christians in this way bring their lives into alignment with Jesus' Word, will, and way of life. These minimum visible proofs of inner reality are what the church looks for in those wanting to be baptized.
Two Basic Viewpoints on the Meaning of Baptism
One viewpoint is that baptism is a sacramental act. It is not merely a symbol of washing, but it does, in fact, wash us spiritually. The other is that it is essentially the public testimony that a believer makes after giving his or her life to Jesus in response to the Gospel. In the first viewpoint, the important factor is that it is not the one being baptized but God who works a miracle. In the second viewpoint, it is the one being baptized, his or her understandings, promises, commitment, and verbal confession. This second viewpoint also implies that baptism is for someone who is of sufficient age and has the rational skills to make this confession.
Is There an Age Lmit?
In the Old Testament, boys were circumcised at eight days of age. Obviously a boy of that age cannot talk or make decisions, and is only aware of himself as an extension of his mother. It wasn't and isn't possible for an infant to make a creedal confession or recite the Ten Commandments. But at eight days old, boys were circumcised-the physical mark of the Old Covenant, a covenant in which God made beautiful promises to the Hebrews and their descendants. Every parent wanted their children to stand under the covenant blessings and pass them on to the next generation. So parents made the decision to circumcise their sons, and their faith availed for their child until he was able to personally confirm his covenant faith.
Baptism and the New Covenant
So it is with those who hold to the sacramental conviction regarding Christian baptism. Christian parents who desire their children to be under the blessings of the New Covenant in Jesus Christ bring them to be baptized. They make the decision for the child that he or she become a participator in the blessings of the New Covenant through baptism.