The Sinless Baby

Note: This is the sermon I prepared for March 1, 2015, however I am only now 

delivering it on March 8, 2015 [due to a Snow Sunday]. The occasion is the 

baptism of our 3rd infant over three consecutive worship services. I 

have removed the names of the participants to protect their privacy. DJ

Acts 16: 31-34

Recently I examined our church records and found the events of today to be historic! In the last 100 year period of our church history, never have we conducted three church baptismal services on consecutive Sunday’s. How this will be viewed through the long lens of history is yet to be known, but for this brief moment in time, it is good our small, rural church celebrate these youth-filled moments, and give thanks for the little blessings our faith community has received and welcomed.

The many traditions of baptism have changed over the 2,000 year history of our faith. From baptizing adults as a recruiting tool of the earliest followers of the way [following the teachings of Cousin John and the example of Jesus], to baptizing whole families in the tradition of the apostle Paul [“and everyone in his household were immediately baptized”], to waging violence against those whose practices differed from the early established church [the Anabaptists for example, whose leaders were executed for their belief in adult baptism]. The history of baptism has changed many times. Even the notion of original sin; washing away the sin of Adam, has been found to be suspect [given the well-established notion sin is not transferable from one generation to the next or for that matter, from a mother and father to their baby child.] Even the Catholic church has recognized the misconstruction of the argument for original sin and has softened their position through a papal encyclical. Only some Lutheran denominations still believe, without baptism you are doomed to the blazing fires of hell.

Today, this infant child cares little about the history of baptism. She only knows she is loved by her parents, through the manner in which she is embraced and cared for; in our service of Baptism we have declared our love, as a church, for this child. Truly she received God’s inward grace today through the symbolic sprinkling of water and the blessing she received, and that is all that matters.

I find talk about sin and eternal damnation provocative, especially as it relates to infant baptism. I believe it is both irresponsible and counter productive in building fruitful relationships for those of us who are on a journey with Jesus to find meaning in our lives and to be examples of all which is beautiful, kind and loving. Regardless of her humanity, and this world she was delivered into, to debate whether this little infant is sinful from birth, is counter intuitive to the precepts of our faith and false in the eyes of God, who I believe extends grace to all creatures on this earth. Yes, even from the moment God's creatures breath life into their lungs.

In the context of our faith, the parents of this baby, and indirectly the sponsors or godparents, and even grandparents become a surety for this child; defined as such, they take responsibility for this child’s upbringing and faith development. A guarantor of sorts, in the eyes of God. This is why infant baptism is so important as we declare our faith and promise a future for this child which is guided by the precepts of our faith. It is important we not clutter our faith with the trappings of intimidation and false teaching. God’s love for us and for this baby reach far beyond the worrisome insecurity of church leaders who wish only to feather their own nests by subscribing to worn-out and out-dated notions. My faith informs me that baptism is about 1) the holy and sacred blessing a child receives from the God of our faith, 2) the promise or surety claim of the parents and 3) the pledge of this church to maintain a ministry to its youngest members; to help them along life’s jagged path. To that end, on March 29th of this year, Palm Sunday, 2015; thousands of young people (including two of our own) will kneel before the altars in their many churches, and will make witness to these words: “O God, in the grace of Jesus Christ you have accepted these your servants through the water of baptism. Nourish them that they may serve you.” (UCC Book of Worship)

When it gets right down to it, this is what baptism is and means, as these young people, including our two confirmands, will affirm their baptism through confirmation into the faith and into their many churches.

This faith journey we are all on, and the membership you hold in this church, is not about membership to some exclusive, gated heavenly club of gold card after life privilege; no, it is rather all about the sacrifices you are asked to make in the name of the one who loves you. And for the infant we baptized, it begins today and for our two confirmands, it will be affirmed in two weeks. And for us, well, we are living examples and loving stewards, and that is all that matters.

How can you describe the grace of God we receive through baptism?

I provide this as a postscript to my sermon thoughts. I came across this quote during my reading this week, and thought it appropriate in light of the event we are celebrating, the baptism of an infant. 

“The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you." F. Buechner Indeed, this party we call life would be incomplete without the little baby we baptized today!