Baptism
Water sustains life for humans, animals, and plants. We clean with warm water and relax in cool water. We find peace listening to the roar of the ocean or taking a stroll in the rain.
Water is also important to our life in the church.
In the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, "we are initiated into Christ's holy church, … incorporated into God's mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit," the Introduction to the Baptismal Covenant says. "All this is God's gift, offered to us without price."
In the United Methodist Church, we baptize infants as a way of expressing one of our fundamental beliefs about God: our Creator wants a relationship with us before we ever even know it. In the sacrament, the water becomes the outward sign of the inward gift of God’s grace, love and forgiveness. Through the vows taken by parents, godparents and the church, we affirm the responsibilities all of us have for raising our children in a supportive community of faith. (Of course, we don’t ONLY baptize infants – you can be baptized at any age!)
Baptism is the start of a lifelong journey, and our congregation offers many opportunities for you and your children to grow in faith together: Sunday School, youth groups, music programs, small group studies, service projects and more. We are happy to connect with your family during this time of deepening faith and gratitude for new life.
If you’d like to read more about The United Methodist Church’s beliefs on baptism, click here.
Baptismal Vows
Since the earliest times, the vows of Christian baptism have consisted first of the renunciation of all that is evil and then the profession of faith and loyalty to Christ. Parents or other sponsors reaffirm these vows for themselves while taking the responsibilities of sponsorship. Candidates for confirmation profess for themselves the solemn vows that were made at their baptism.
During Baptism, Pastor Jesse will address parents or other sponsors with the following questions:
On behalf of the whole Church, I ask you: Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?
Will you nurture these children (persons) that by your teaching and example they may be guided to accept God's grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly, and to lead a Christian life?
You can find the full United Methodist Church’s Baptismal Covenant here.
Following a baptism, we will enter into the celebration of Holy Communion, in which the union of the new members with the body of Christ is most fully expressed. In The United Methodist Church we celebrate an open table in which all are invited to receive the sacrament. Because of this, we do not perform private baptisms except under extraordinary circumstances.
Having your child Baptized at Marlton UMC
If you’d like even more information on baptism at Marlton UMC or in The United Methodist Church, here is a free booklet titled “The Meaning of Baptism” just for you and your family. You can download the PDF here.
Or click on the button below to fill out the form.
