Child or Adult Baptism?

Anyone — infants, children, or adults — may be baptized. For infants and children, parents and godparents make the baptismal promises on their behalf. Adults make their own profession of faith. See ‘Professional of Faith’ below.

Baptism is a sacrament — an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. It marks the beginning of a person’s life in Christ, symbolizing cleansing from sin, new birth, and incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church.

Whether by parents and godparents (for children) or by the individual (for adults), baptism involves:

• Renouncing sin, evil, and the devil
• Affirming belief in God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• Committing to follow Jesus as Lord

These vows are rooted in the Apostles’ Creed and repeated in every baptism liturgy.

Godparents (for children) or sponsors (for adults) commit to praying for and encouraging the baptized person’s spiritual growth. Godparents should themselves be baptized Christians.

The baptized person becomes a full member of the Church. For children, the next step is Confirmation when they are ready to affirm the baptismal vows for themselves. Ongoing discipleship — worship, prayer, and community — is encouraged for all.

A Profession of Faith is a public declaration that a person believes in and trusts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is a central part of Christian life and often a key moment in baptism (for adults) or confirmation (for those baptized as children). It expresses a personal commitment to follow Jesus and to live according to the gospel.

What Does It Include?

At its core, a profession of faith affirms:

• Belief in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

• Faith in Jesus Christ — that He is the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, who lived a sinless life, died for our sins, rose again, and reigns as Lord

• Acceptance of salvation by grace through faith, not by our own efforts (Ephesians 2:8–9)

• A desire to follow Jesus daily, turning away from sin and living in step with the Holy Spirit

Often, this is done by affirming the Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed, which summarize these truths.

Why Is It Important?

Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32)
A profession of faith is a way to joyfully and unashamedly acknowledge Jesus — not just with words, but with a life that follows Him.