An explanation of the meanings of baptism.

You've been baptized. But do you understand what it means? Baptism is the doorway into membership in the church. It's a public declaration of the washing away of our sin and the beginning of our new life in Christ. But the sacrament that is meant to unite us is often a spring of division instead. All Christians use water to baptize. All invoke the triune name. Beyond that, there's little consensus. Talk about baptism and you're immediately plunged into arguments. Whom should we baptize? What does baptism do? Why even do it at all? Peter Leithart reunifies a church divided by baptism. He recovers the baptismal imagination of the Bible, explaining how baptism works according to Scripture. Then, in conversation with Christian tradition, he shows why baptism is something worth recovering and worth agreeing on.

In Baptism: Three Views, editor David F. Wright has provided a forum for thoughtful proponents of three principal evangelical views on baptism to state their case, respond to the others, and then provide a summary response and statement. Sinclair Ferguson sets out the case for infant baptism, Bruce Ware presents the case for believers' baptism, and Anthony Lane argues for a mixed practice.

"This child has been reborn in Baptism. This is now a child of God." So begins this beautiful, illustrated book for memories and reflections of a day your child will honor for the rest of his or her life. Includes: *Presentation Pages *The Calling of the Baptized *Space for Family and Friends to Write *Prayers and Scripture *Responsibilities of Family and Friends *The Baptism of Our Lord *Jesus's Blessing for Little Children Let's Remember Your Baptism: Readings, Memories, and Records of a Special Day is a beautiful keepsake to help a child remember and reflect on their baptismal covenant.

An ideal book to read with children to wonder and learn about baptism, with illustrations that reflect the diversity of God’s people. Grounded in the Episcopal liturgical tradition, it is an accessible and inviting introduction to baptism for children and families of many Christian traditions. While learning what occurs during a baptism service, the reader (both child and parent) will be guided through the sacramental and communal aspects of the celebration. Beautifully illustrated in full color, a dedication page encourages personalization of the book, making it a perfect baptism gift. A family section offers questions and suggests ways to go deeper in conversation about baptism, making it a resource that families will use again and again with their children.

The issue of baptism has troubled Protestants for centuries. Should infants be baptized before their faith is conscious, or does God command the baptism of babies whose parents have been baptized? Popular New Testament scholar Scot McKnight makes a biblical case for infant baptism, exploring its history, meaning, and practice and showing that infant baptism is the most historic Christian way of forming children into the faith. He explains that the church's practice of infant baptism developed straight from the Bible and argues that it must begin with the family and then extend to the church. Baptism is not just an individual profession of faith: it takes a family and a church community to nurture a child into faith over time. McKnight explains infant baptism for readers coming from a tradition that baptizes adults only, and he counters criticisms that fail to consider the role of families in the formation of faith. The book includes a foreword by Todd Hunter and an afterword by Gerald McDermott.

This is the perfect resource for congregations, and parents, to use as they prepare for a child's Baptism. Pastors will want to give a copy of this book to every family having a child Baptized, and parents will want this book in order to more fully understand the gift of Holy Baptism. Inside is useful information such as the Scripture's teaching about Baptism, a look at the Baptism service, and everyday activities that can be done with a child to help him/her after the Baptism.

Join author Joel Stepanek on an eye-opening journey through the often unrecognized grace and power that is yours because of your Baptism. Find out what actually happens in the water of Baptism, how Baptism helps free you from sin, how you are trans-formed from the inside out, how you are anointed for mission, and how you are prepared for your ultimate destination—heaven.

The fourth edition of the bestselling booklet Together at Baptism includes texts from the new English translation of TheOrder of Baptism of Children, which must be used by parishes in the United States beginning on April 12, 2020, but may be used as early as February 2, 2020. Author Robert M. Hamma helps parents understand the sacrament with brief commentaries that provide insight not only on the celebration of Baptism but also on handing on the Catholic faith to their children in the midst of everyday life. Together at Baptism offers parish staff a practical, concise tool to help prepare parents and godparents for the Baptism of a child. It offers both spiritual support and important information about the sacrament. The booklet contains twenty-six brief commentaries by Robert M. Hamma on the essential elements and liturgical texts of TheOrder of Baptism of Children. Parents will learn about their role as first witnesses to the faith, the essential support of godparents, the distinctively Catholic understanding of the sacrament, and the joys and challenges of lifelong commitment to the faith. The familiar and popular features of earlier editions of Together at Baptism remain in place, but have been updated to meet the realities of today’s Catholic families, including shifting family structures, the influences of digital distractions on family life, and the need for basic education about the faith. The words of the baptismal celebration and the three-fold immersion in or pouring on of holy water are the same, but many of the greetings, prayers, and instructions of the liturgy have subtle, important changes shifting the tone to the more formal language of the newest edition of the Roman Missal. These changes affect such elements as: the greeting for the Rite of Receiving the Child; text of the Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith by parents and godparents; the post-baptismal Explanatory Rites—the Anointing after Baptism, Clothing with the White Garment, Handing on of a Lighted Candle, and the Ephphatha (be opened prayer); and the formulas for the Prayer of the Faithful. The booklet also contains all the Lectionary readings assigned for the celebration of Baptism, the alternate prayer texts provided by The Order of Baptism of Children, and a selection sheet for parents invited to choose readings, prayers, and other texts for the liturgy.

An illustrated activity book for 8-11 year olds. Water connects all physical and spiritual life. Besides being essential for life, water is the visible sign of Baptism, which calls us to serve others in the world. Having clean water for all God’s children is an act of justice, love, respect and a core value of what it means to be a Christian. This illustrated workbook taps into multiple learning levels and offers a variety of ways for children to interact with this core value of our faith, making a direct connection for young people between their faith and daily life. It can be used in an educational or devotional setting at home, church, or school. Activities also connect clean water and the Millennium Development Goals.