baptism and infants

Good day to you, sisters and brothers in Christ....
My computer is now out of the shop and I am grateful! I feel as though I have had my right arm reattached. So, I am committed to blogging on a regular basis. I am creating a new habit. They say it takes 21 days to learn a new habit. Thanks for your patience!! :-)

When I preached on baptism recently, like always, I left out a lot of information....I intend to use my blog to cover what I don't get covered in my Sunday sermon....I thought I would name my blog....TBC....to be continued.....what do you think?

When I gave my sermon on baptism, I did not make very clear, something that is extremely important. The question was asked....what happens to infants that are not baptized? I quoted Bishop Willimon who talks about promiscuous baptism. That is, baptism that is done without thought of why this is really a sacred event. From my perspective, I am less concerned about promiscuous baptism because I believe God's grace is at work whether we're serious or not, whether we get it or not, whether we whatever or not. God is God and God is faithful to do God's work and to be active in the life of the person we have entrusted to Divine care. Bishop Willimon, for me, treads on making baptism formulaic and mostly under our control.

Back to the topic at hand. I love wild rabbit chases. You see some great scenery in the process! :-) I am more concerned about superstitious baptisms. What do I mean? I have had people say to me, "Jeff, I must get my baby baptized before he/she leaves the hospital because I am afraid that something might happen and my child will go to hell." Because I am a pastor, pastoral concerns at hand become my highest priority. I will go to the hospital and baptize if the parent or parents request. But, I am also quick to say....your child is in the care of God always. God is faithful to take care of the little ones. Baptized or not. Simply because they belong to God, they are in the loving care of a loving God.

Some of you may be thinking that I don't really think baptism matters all that much. I absolutely do. But not as an act of superstition. Only as an act of grace! It is a naming, a claiming of what God already believes about every infant or child. They are precious, they are persons created in the image of God, have within them, sacred worth. Baptism is our way, as Christians, to celebrate that, and to invite God's Spirit to do in and through their lives what God desires to do.

So...to the point....if a baby or infant is not baptized...and dies...what happens...they enjoy the presence of the One who said..."Let the little children come unto me...for to such as these....belongs the Kingdom of God."

You are a blessing!!