Water that divides

In any group of Christians, one topic that is sure to cause debate and / or confusion is baptism. One of the many questions that arise is should we baptise infants or not? The catechism doesn't answer that question, but the important thing to note is that what it teaches on baptism holds true however you answer that question.

Q44. What is baptism?A. Baptism is the washing with water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; it signifies and seal our adoption into Christ, our cleansing from sin, and our commitment to belong to the Lord and to his church.

Here's a few things to note:

Baptism is a simple image: Washing your hands with soap and water is the front line in the fight against corna-virus. This simple task is effective in washing germs away as well as the dirt you can see from gardening. Having washed your hands you can prepare and eat food with confidence. It's the same with baptism - it shows us our sin is washed away and when the doubt rise we can remember- I've been baptised, I've been washed. That's something Martin Luther used to say to himself! So remember your baptism.

Baptism is not a meaningless image: When someone is baptised - as an infant or adult - God is at work. Baptism does speak of our faith and commitment, but there is more too it than that. As the catechism says when someone is baptised their adoption, cleansing and commitment is sealed. God is at work in the moment, through the sacrament. It is a true means of grace. We look to him, and he reaches down to us. He takes hold of us. We are in his strong, relentless grip of grace.