Baptism
Holy Baptism
Here at Shepherd of the Grove, we understand the Sacrament of Holy Baptism as the means through which a person is made a member of the Christian Church. We baptize both infants and adults in accordance with Christ’s command to baptize and teach all nations (Matthew 28:19).
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Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word. (Luther’s Small Catechism)
We believe that Baptism is commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20) and is one of the means of grace through which God creates or strengthens the gift of faith in a person’s heart.
In most cases, if you’ve been baptized before, there is no reason to be baptized again. But if you’ve never been baptized and would like to be, please call the church office to talk to the Pastor about it!
Only the desire to be baptized and the understanding that our Lord always connects baptism and teaching. Baptism is not a “get out of hell free card” or a magic wand that makes us Christians. Baptism and living faith in Christ are what save us.
In the case of children, we baptize and then teach in Sunday School and Confirmation.
In the case of adults, we teach the Faith first and then baptize in accordance with the example of Acts 8:35-38.
While some groups insist on a specific mode or method of baptism, the Greek word βαπτίζω simply means “to wash with water.” The mode (pouring, sprinkling, immersing) is not specified, and a baptism with water in the Name of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is always valid no matter how the water was applied. Our baptismal font is best suited for “pouring” and the font will be in the center of our sanctuary to remind us that baptism into Christ is central to our faith.