Lutheran Infant Baptism

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Hey! I haven't posted here before - something new and different for me!!!

Just so you know - me and my 'future-bf' are both Salvation Army, but he was brought up as a Lutheran. He didn't 'leave' the lutheran church per se, he just moved out of home and found a church that a lot of friends went to, and stuck to it.

Anyway, we were talking the other day and I asked him if, were we to have children in the future (after marriage of course), would he want them baptised in the lutheran church. He said yes.

I have NO problem with this at all, I think it's a great idea. However, I was just wondering if someone here would be able to provide a link to somewhere or PM me with the actual text that is said (or something along those lines) during the baptism. I also would like to know what is expected from the baptism, and what the baptism proves. I just want to be informed, and search engines haven't helped me so far.

I basically want to know what we'd be getting into with getting the child baptised in lutheran church (it would be his parents church probably, with a dedication in our church as well with our friends - as his parents live 2000kms from here), and to make sure I'm fully aware of what it entails (he couldn't really give me details).

Thanks for any help!

Sasch

[Caelum]

First off, you must explain, what is Salvation Army? Where I come from its a chain of thrift stores, so im a bit intrigued.

http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/LCMS/wa_baptism.pdf
There's a link to a PDF(Acrobat Reader required) file with some info on Baptism from an LCMS perspective.

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2590
Also has tons of information.

Baptism is baptism, although variances in tradition differ, as long as it's performed by a Christian, water is used(sprinkle, pouring, immersion, doesn't matter), and "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" is said, it's done. Doesn't matter where/when/why/who/what. :) Hope the links help

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

LOL - don't worry a lot of people think that...

Salvation Army is also a church - I guess it is non-denominational - but it follows the apostles creed - it was started with people with addictions in mind - so a lot don't have communion offered (so as to not confuse the alcoholics they were helping by offering wine as communion), however ours does at easter and other important christian celebrations.

http://www.salvos.com/about.htm might help you :) Or, there's also my church link - www.nbc.org.au

And thanks for the links!!!

[Flipper]

I think the Salvation Army is an offshoot and is pretty close to the Methodist church. I'm a godmother to a child who was baptised in the Methodist Church. I've seen baptisms in both the Methodist and Lutheran churches and they seemed pretty close to the same to me.

I don't have an exact text of what is said during a service (and I don't think there is an exact text), but if you compare Methodist to Lutheran, they are pretty much the same in regards to baptism, so what you do in the Salvation Army is probably not that much different than the Lutherans.

The main expectation is that you provide a good Christian example to that child.

[JVAC]

Lutheran Beliefs about Baptism (as posted by ChiRho from the Small Catechism):


THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM
What is baptism?


Baptism is not merely water, but it is water used according to God's command and connected with God's Word.

What is this Word of God?

As recorded in Matthew 28:19, our Lord Christ said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

What gifts or benefits does Baptism bestow?

If effects forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and grants eternal salvation to all who believe, as the Word and promise of God declare.

What is this Word and promise of God?

As recorded in Mark 16:16, our Lord Christ said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned."

How can water produce such great effects?

It is not the water that produces these effects, but the Word of God connected with the water, and our faith which relies on the Word of God connected with the water. For without the Word of God the water is merely water and no Baptism. But when connected with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul wrote to Titus (3:5-8): "He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. This saying is sure."

What does such baptizing with water signify?

It signifies that the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil lusts, should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance and be put to death, and that the new man should come forth daily and rise up, cleansed and righteous, to live forever in God's presence.

Where is this written?

In Romans 6:4, St. Paul wrote: "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."


Lutheran Liturgy for Holy Baptism:

Usually we start with a brief explanation of the Sacrament, and in the case of an Infant, we ask the sponsors and/or parents if they wish to be baptized. Then after that, we go through a litany of questions and responses, ex: do you reject Satan and all his empty promises? Then after the Pastor asks the parents and sponsors if they will bring up the child in a christian manner with christian education. Then there is a Great Thanksgiving and prayers. After which, the parents, sponsors and Congregation are asked to confess the faith in which we baptize (mostly Apostle's Creed but may also be Nicene Creed). Then the Candidate is baptized into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Then a hymn.

This formatt varies depending on the day it is done, many times it is done at the Lutheran Mass and so is part of Worship and the Eucharist.

-James

[clayrichard]

Yes, The salavation army is an offshoot of Methodism, but I'm not sure how or why. They don't have many of the conservitive/liberal battles that UM's have. I know at one time they were extremely evangelistic (as were Methodist) and would put today's baptist to shame! I don't know much about them now. I know they lost some Gov. funding years back for rufusing to hire homosexuals.

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Thanks guys for all your help - we do the same thing as Salvos in our dedication services (without the water part - general consensus is leave that up to the individual when they are old enough to understand it) - and when I was a baptist, it was the same idea.

Yeah, we are offshoots of Methodism (from what I've read) - William Booth started it up as a way to minister to the 'untouchables' - ie prostitutes, alcoholics, drug addicts, homeless people - ie those who couldn't fit in 'mainstream' church.

Thanks guys!!!

Sasch

ps. Which denomination do I post in - The Salvos aren't mentioned anywhere here!!??

[Phoebe]

Are there any Lutheran Liturgy/ Hymnals online?

The LBW has the Baptism ceremony printed in it. (I think WOV also has it.)

Someone had a site that had excerpts of Lutheran songs. I think that link is posted in Liberated Lutherans somewhere.


www.elca.org (http://www.elca.org)

[Rechtgläubig]

Are there any Lutheran Liturgy/ Hymnals online?

The LBW has the Baptism ceremony printed in it. (I think WOV also has it.)

Someone had a site that had excerpts of Lutheran songs. I think that link is posted in Liberated Lutherans somewhere.


www.elca.org (http://www.elca.org/)
Hey Phoebe, this is the best I can do...

http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/

No liturgy, but lots of lyrics!
:D

[Phoebe]

Recht is here to save the day!
:kiss:- a Holy Kiss it is!

[Rechtgläubig]

:clap: Glad I could help!

::does happy dance:: :D

[JVAC]

Are there any Lutheran Liturgy/ Hymnals online?

The LBW has the Baptism ceremony printed in it. (I think WOV also has it.)

Someone had a site that had excerpts of Lutheran songs. I think that link is posted in Liberated Lutherans somewhere.


www.elca.org (http://www.elca.org)
I couldn't find any liturgy either, so I just paraphrased the good Ol' LBW.

-James

[Lotar]

Are there any Lutheran Liturgy/ Hymnals online?

The LBW has the Baptism ceremony printed in it. (I think WOV also has it.)

Someone had a site that had excerpts of Lutheran songs. I think that link is posted in Liberated Lutherans somewhere.


www.elca.org (http://www.elca.org)

:wave:

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2733

[Victrixa]

Hi Sascha! :wave:

I was a Salvationist for 9 years! I even became an officer! My husband and I had to leave the ministry due to health problems.

My passage at the Salvation Army is filled with many blessed and happy memories! I love the S.A.'s holiness preaching and teaching.

God bless you, little sister! :hug:

Caroline