Baptism is a sacrament. In a sacrament, God uses common elements - in this case, water - as means or vehicles of divine grace. Baptism is administered by the church as the Body of Christ. It is the act of God through the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
The United Methodist Church strongly advocates the baptism of infants within the faith community: “Because the redeeming love of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, extends to all persons & because Jesus explicitly included the children in his kingdom, the pastor of each charge shall earnestly exhort all Christian parents or guardians to present their children to the Lord in Baptism at an early age” (1992 Book of Discipline, par. 221).
We affirm that while thanksgiving to God and dedication of parents to the task of Christian child-raising are aspects of infant baptism, the sacrament is primarily a gift of divine grace. Neither parents nor infants are the chief actors; baptism is an act of God in and through the Church. The body of the Church enters into a covenant with all those baptized into the faith.
Adults who are not baptized and feel a calling to do so are encouraged and embraced! Baptism often coincides with joining a church, but anytime is a great time for a baptism!
Acworth UMC baptizes using water partially from the Jordan Rive
r.
Baptism is most commonly done by the pastor gently laying a hand dipped in the water on the person's head.
The United Methodist Church strongly advocates the baptism of infants within the faith community: “Because the redeeming love of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, extends to all persons & because Jesus explicitly included the children in his kingdom, the pastor of each charge shall earnestly exhort all Christian parents or guardians to present their children to the Lord in Baptism at an early age” (1992 Book of Discipline, par. 221).
We affirm that while thanksgiving to God and dedication of parents to the task of Christian child-raising are aspects of infant baptism, the sacrament is primarily a gift of divine grace. Neither parents nor infants are the chief actors; baptism is an act of God in and through the Church. The body of the Church enters into a covenant with all those baptized into the faith.
Adults who are not baptized and feel a calling to do so are encouraged and embraced! Baptism often coincides with joining a church, but anytime is a great time for a baptism!
Acworth UMC baptizes using water partially from the Jordan Rive
r.
Baptism is most commonly done by the pastor gently laying a hand dipped in the water on the person's head.
