“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”— Matthew 28: 19
At Trinity Lutheran Church, we believe the sacrament of baptism is a beautiful life-changing event. In baptism, we trust that God is active in cleansing us of our sins, we are claimed as children of God, and we receive the free gift of God’s grace.
Whether as an infant or an adult, we trust that in baptism, we are joined to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus!
Why Baptize?
Why do we Baptize? It is the great commission of our Lord Jesus that we would “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) Through water and the Word of God in baptism, we are liberated from sin and death by being joined to the death and resurrection of Jesus. (Romans 6:3-4) God uses baptism to bring about faith. In baptism, we are “born again of the Spirit” (John 3:5) to begin a new life freed in Christ to love God and serve others.
Age for Baptism
Since the first days of the Christian Church, infants and adults have been baptized. We believe God is the one who acts at baptism through the earthly element of water connected to God’s unshakable promise. When infants are baptized, parents make promises for their child until the child is old enough to affirm these promises for themselves at Confirmation.
Do I have to be a member?
No. Baptism is open to all who believe and wish to be baptized in the name of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, whether you are a member of Trinity or not. While congregation membership is not a requirement, we do believe a person is joined to the community of faith through baptism. In baptism, commitments are made to enter a life-long journey of faith within a congregation. We encourage families to be connected to a faith community. If you don’t have a church home, please consider Trinity as your church family.
Baptized in another faith?
We believe there is only one lifelong Christian baptism in the triune God (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). There is no need to “re-baptize” when someone comes to the Lutheran church from another Christian faith or when someone who has been baptized feels they have fallen away from the faith. Baptism is about God’s promise to you. God’s word at baptism holds firm; God never falls away from you.
Sponsors/Godparents
One or more persons of your choosing will stand with you during the baptism. Sponsors have a calling to encourage the baptized person in Christian faith. Sponsors can be any family member or friend who is a baptized Christian.
Baptized. Now What?
Baptism is not a “one and done” event. Baptism is the first milestone in a life-long journey of faith in community with other believers in the world. If you are baptizing your child, you are making promises to teach them the Christian faith, to bring them to worship, and to attend worship yourself. It’s important you work on your own spirituality to help them grow in their baptismal relationship with God.
Private Baptisms
We are very hesitant to perform private baptisms at Trinity. Baptism is entry into a community of faith, where the people of Trinity make promises to love, support, and pray for the one baptized.