Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Jane's Baptism


On Sunday, March 20th, it was Jane's actual birthday and it worked out that we had her baptized that day!

I know for many protestants infant baptism seems strange, but for the vast majority of church history it was the practice and belief of the Christian church.

We are members of a Presbyterian church (PCA) and believe that baptism is the continuation of circumcision.

What I mean is that it is the sign and seal of a child being a part of the Christian community, just like circumcision was the sign of being a part of the Jewish community.

Circumcision didn't mean you were saved. It meant you were part of God's people and received the blessings of being a part of that community (being able to worship in the temple, receive God's teachings etc.)

In the same way baptism doesn't mean you are saved, it means you are part of the church and receive the blessings of being a part of that community and being raised by Christian parents.

Just as in a marriage ceremony, there are vows that we take.

Here is an example of one:

"Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before her a godly example, that you will pray with her and for her, that you will teach her the doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all the means of God's appointment, to bring her up int he nurture and admonition of the Lord?"

The congregation also vows to help us in raising Jane.

It is especially meaningful since we are so far from family.

I wasn't sure how Jane would react to the actual baptism. I thought she would squirm but she just laid in pastors arms and stared at everyone.


Alice said to Stephen "He wash her."


So glad my parents could be here for it!


Love this picture I got of Stephen and Jane.  Crazy to think that the next time he is walking down the aisle with her in white will be her wedding!






After church I took some pictures of her in her little dress.









Tiger Lily decided she wanted in on the attention too.




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