Baptism is one of my favorite topics. I love that you're thinking through all this. I was baptized at age 13. Honestly, it meant nothing to me then. I just stood up with my brother and did it. Now it does mean something to me. But I needed years to grow into it, grow into my faith, and figure out the significance of baptism, for me...what it symbolizes in my life in Christ. "For me" being key. Because I think it's different for everyone, and everyone comes to that call at a different time (if at all). We belong to the UMC now, where you can be baptized as an infant. Still, I chose to not get my son baptized as a baby. I wanted him to remember his baptism, and to choose it himself. He's planning to do it toward the end of this year, right before his 16th birthday. I'm not saying this is the right way. I don't think there is a right way. It's just been our way. I think infant baptism is wonderful, too. Or teen or adult or old age. No matter when you're baptized, I think rituals around remembrance of one's baptism can have a lot of meaning for folks. Most of us will belong to traditions that discourage re-baptism, but an annual church celebration to remember our baptisms almost serves the same purpose, providing an opportunity for each person to reflect on what baptism means to them at this point in their lives. At least that's what it's done for me. And over time, through reflection and annual remembrance, something that once meant nothing to me has come to mean a lot.
Baptism is one of my favorite topics. I love that you're thinking through all this. I was baptized at age 13. Honestly, it meant nothing to me then. I just stood up with my brother and did it. Now it does mean something to me. But I needed years to grow into it, grow into my faith, and figure out the significance of baptism, for me...what it symbolizes in my life in Christ. "For me" being key. Because I think it's different for everyone, and everyone comes to that call at a different time (if at all). We belong to the UMC now, where you can be baptized as an infant. Still, I chose to not get my son baptized as a baby. I wanted him to remember his baptism, and to choose it himself. He's planning to do it toward the end of this year, right before his 16th birthday. I'm not saying this is the right way. I don't think there is a right way. It's just been our way. I think infant baptism is wonderful, too. Or teen or adult or old age. No matter when you're baptized, I think rituals around remembrance of one's baptism can have a lot of meaning for folks. Most of us will belong to traditions that discourage re-baptism, but an annual church celebration to remember our baptisms almost serves the same purpose, providing an opportunity for each person to reflect on what baptism means to them at this point in their lives. At least that's what it's done for me. And over time, through reflection and annual remembrance, something that once meant nothing to me has come to mean a lot.
And sorry to write a book on here, but your posts always get me to thinking.
Isn’t it interesting how we grow away from our traditions. Glad you’re tackling baptism the way you do