Fathers Must See Their Babies Baptized
The Responsibility and Place of Baptism in the Worship of the Presbyterian Church
Howdy!
Today’s lesson comes to us from the Directory of Public Worship on the question of Baptism. When we went over this question in our time in the Larger Catechism the conversation was much more about the theology of infant baptism. The directory’s concern is less about the why’s of when and how, and more focused on the what’s and when’s of the doctrine. Remember, the main goal of the DPW is to regulate and formalize practices so that Christians attending Presbyterian churches can be comforted that worship is not an “every-man-for-himself” phenomenon. The sign on the door should tell you what is happening inside. It is unfortunate that even in Reformed circles there has been a complete and total breakdown of conformity when it comes to what we do on the Lord’s day, and even in regard to the Sacraments. As we walk through the arriving conversation about Baptism part of our hope is that we would see the wisdom of the ancients and ask ourselves some hard questions about whether “new and fresh” is what the Bible would have us to be and to do, especially when it comes to the signs of the covenant.
Here’s the opening word:
BAPTISM, as it is not unnecessarily to be delayed, so it is not to be administered in any case by any private person, but by a minister of Christ, called to be the steward of the mysteries of God.
Nor is it to be administered in private places, or privately, but in the place of publick worship, and in the face of the congregation, where the people may most conveniently see and hear; and not in the places where fonts, in the time of Popery, were unfitly and superstitiously placed.
The child to be baptized after notice given to the minister the day before, is to be presented by the father, or (in case of his necessary absence) by some Christian friend in his place, professing his earnest desire that the child may be baptized.
The opening sentence is just a repeat of what the Westminster Confession of Faith says, “Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance . . .”. Delaying Baptism for lawful reasons like health of the child, weather, or other providential hindrances is certainly not in view here. However, when we read unnecessarily the DPW and the WCF have in mind things like “just not getting around to it”, “not seeing the need”, or “we want to wait until we are ready”. Part of what the directory wants to do is to on one hand demystify the sacrament as well as encourage parents to offer their little ones up to the blessings of the covenant family.
Something I do at Bethany is that we ordinarily have the baptism in the order of service when the Children’s Lesson usually is. Part of this is convenience, but my reasoning for it is that the young ones are used to coming down at that time, and as the DPW notes, it’s important for all to see what is happening, and consider how much more so that is true of the kids who as much as anyone need to be reminded of their own baptism and what that means. This is also part of the purpose of the baptismal being as close to the center of the sanctuary as it can be. Due to the way our building is shaped if you are sitting in the far wing, or even up front on the left-side there is much in the way to block your view. The public nature of baptism is trifold. First, it’s a testimony to the devil and the world that the child/person belongs to God. Second, it is an opportunity as much for the adults as it is for the young people to remember their own baptism. Lastly, and this might seem strange, but it’s important, there needs to be congregational oversight to make sure that the minister is doing the rite correctly and that the baptism is conducted with glory betide.
Another aspect of the opening paragraphs of the DPW’s presentation of baptism in a Reformed and Presbyterian church is who is bringing the child to be baptized. As shouldn’t be of much surprise since the DPW is biblical, the husband, the father, is the primary mover towards the baptism of children. Ephesians 6:4 gives much weight to the dad’s responsibility to raise his youngin’s up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. A father who refuses, either out of just plain negligence or laziness, to bring his son or daughter to the waters of baptism is not starting off on a great foot when it comes to fulfilling their calling by Jesus Christ in the gospel. If men want to be heads of household (and they should be) their first duty is to see that the sign of the covenant is placed on their offspring. To disregard this brings up much more serious questions surrounding spiritual life that should involve the elders shepherding and inquiring more deeply as to why the wait is stretching on months and months after the birth of the child.
The reason why this matters is because baptism matters. Nothing we do in the Christian life outside of our own confession of faith is of more importance than obeying God’s commands when it comes to worship, and the sacraments that form a central part. Moses’s wife Zipporah in Exodus 4 has to take the knife upon herself because Moses has failed to circumcise his boys. It’s a shameful moment in what was not a highlight chapter of his life. He acted in fear when God was calling him to go back to Egypt, and here he hasn’t done the basic requirements of the law. We are going to be talking some more on this next Wednesday in our What’s That Word feature, though it does have relevance here for the reason, as the DPW notes, if the father for whatever reason will not perform his responsibility then it is in keeping with Biblical and confessional truth for someone to bring the child to receive what is his or hers by God’s grace.
In closing, these questions are intensely personal because they deal with the type of thing that marks out a gospel church from one just going through the motions, concerned with other more worldly concerns. Baptism is not a bare event where we are recognizing the birth alone. Baptism is an eternal action which real-life consequences for the forsaking. We place the sign by faith for it witnesses to an already existing truth affecting the days which the child shall have on this earth, and not just for their benefit, but for the benefit of the church universal, and the church to come in following generations in the hope of the gospel.
Last word:
https://opc.org/GA/refuse_bapt.html
Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Benjamin Glaser
Pastor, Bethany ARP Church