Baptism

What is baptism?

Baptism is a sign and seal of God’s covenant of grace with us and our children. Baptism is the visible word of God that we are cleansed in Christ’s blood, buried with him unto death, that we might rise with him and walk in newness of life. In the Reformed Church, baptism is always performed in the context of a congregation of God’s people. The congregation commits itself to the spiritual nurture of the infant, child, or adult being baptized. Baptism is the mark of corporate as well as individual faith. The journey of faith that begins in individual baptism continues in the church community.

What happens during baptism?

In baptism God promises by grace alone

to forgive our sins;
to adopt us into the Body of Christ, the church;
to send the Holy Spirit daily to renew and cleanse us;
and to resurrect us to eternal life.

Through baptism Christ calls us to new obedience,

to love and trust God completely;
to forsake the evil of the world;
and to live a new and holy life.

How does the Reformed Church practice baptism?

The Reformed Church baptizes infants as well as older children and adults. Recognizing the symbolic cleansing and refreshing characteristics of water, the Reformed Church in America affirms sprinkling, immersion, and pouring as methods of baptism.