Does getting my child baptised get them into heaven?
The short answer is no, and not having them baptised does not keep them from heaven. Baptism is not a magical salvation or insurance for heaven. Jesus gift is salvation for eternity and he invites us to choose him as our Lord. For parents, we get the joy of choosing baptism for our children and then make a vow to help them understand this choice, until they can choose if they wish to confirm this when they are old enough to decide - this is what we call confirmation.
What is baptism about?
Baptism is one of the most precious of sacraments. Baptism seeks out and affirms our faith in the Holy Trinity as given to the Apostles by Christ 2000 years ago. The Early Church also made it very clear that baptism is no mere ceremony. In the Anglican Church we understand this to be a ‘covenant’ we enter with God between the parents, the church and their child. Baptism is where God works in his people to add a new member to Christ’s Body. In Baptism, faith is not created, it is confirmed. Baptising our children does not convert their hearts and minds to Christ. While children are born again into Christ’s body, it is to be the parents and churches hope, that they seek a personal conversion, by God’s grace and “confirm” they wish at some stage to follow Jesus.
What is a parents responsibility?
When parents baptise their child, it is their faith in making baptismal vows, to do everything in their power to help their child understand what faith in Jesus is, that is of importance as it is them, along with the church they attend, who enter a covenant for the child. It then becomes the journey of how they as role models reveal how to live for Jesus, that allows their child to understand and to choose if they wish to confirm these vows.
What if I’m new to Christianity or haven’t attended in a while?
Some parents may come at times however with little (or no) understanding of why to make these vows as Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), or how to educate their children to ask spiritually mature questions. They may not understand why attending worship is a significant priority and part of the baptismal requirement. As you will see, this is why we commit to walking with you and to help you learn how to do this.
About our church.
St Thomas has a strong history of Christian education to ensure those who come to celebrate Christian sacraments, do so with a firm understanding and faithfulness to uphold the vows contained in these ceremonies. The sacrament of baptism at St Thomas church, is grounded in the scriptural understanding that Jesus calls everyone who wishes to follow him to be baptised. Parents coming to baptise their children are to do so by first living as faithful disciples of Jesus, and show they want to help their children do likewise.
As we take quite seriously the baptismal vows that state a family will raise their child within the community of faith, and that the church members themselves vow (in the baptism ceremony) to commit themselves to supporting and encouraging baptism families, it is our priority to help you as a family to learn and be fully informed so you can choose for yourselves if you are prepared to uphold baptismal vows.
What we offer.
Even if aren’t sure, yet are willing to learn and attend church services, we will help walk the journey with you and lead you to experience God in a deeper way. Once you are ready, we will arrange a time suitable so you can authentically make these vows. This is what “being” the church looks like and it is why being a member of the church is a priority for receiving the baptismal sacrament for a child, or adult. We believe this offers you the best chance to understand what following Jesus requires as a family, and you will find it worth your time.
What does this mean for me if I don’t want to attend church?
This does mean baptisms are only offered for those attending, or who have begun attending, church services. Please note, this also applies to anyone who has previously had other children baptised at St Thomas. If parents have not kept to (or do not want to keep) these vows, grown in their spiritual walk, or participated in church life as a family, our priority (for reasons stated) must be to ensure you can authentically make these vows and uphold them within the rhythm of family life, before we agree to baptise your child.
What if I just can’t honestly commit to the baptismal vows?
That’s completely ok – it’s better to be honest and not make vows in church you can’t (or do not wish to) uphold. If people prefer not to have the baptism service, an alternative is a “blessing of their child”. This does not require having godparents or attending church. This can be done just with family and friends at their home or elsewhere. This is a good option for those who feel they do not wish to “impose any beliefs” on their child and want to let their child decide if they wish to participate in the Christian faith later in life.
What if I wanted a private baptism?
In regard to private baptisms, these are only for very special circumstances and we have a few requirements around why (and when) we offer this as an option.
Baptisms are a wonderful celebration and we look forward to every family who brings their child to be baptised and participate in the life of our church. If you wish to go on this journey as part of Christ’s body here at St Thomas Anglican Church, please contact our office.
