Focus on Shifting from Infant to Adult Baptism

"Baptism has once again become the focus of doctrinal discussion in the international field." A report to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland says.

The report addressed the Kirk’s Ecumenical Relations Committee’s reflection on the meaning of baptism. The Kirk has been following the belief and practice of baptism based on the Joint Commission on Doctrine signed by the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church since the 1980's. Both churches have been in substantial agreement on this aspect.

However, looking upon the change in the faith of UK Christians, the Committee sees the need to reflect the doctrine and it welcomes "the potentially fruitful exploration on the sacrament of baptism" with the Roman Catholic Church. It requests the Assembly to commend the Joint Commission on Doctrine and pass it to presbyteries for study.

In Western Christian countries, baptism is a very common practice. Most people were baptised since their infancy. This kind of practice is an advantage to a certain extent that everyone will probably identify themselves as Christians.

However, according to the report, the Kirks reveal a poor situation. Some people believe implicitly in Jesus Christ but would not confess themselves 'Christian'.

"People feel free of the social pressure to be a member of any church that would have been felt in the past. The equating of Christianity with an ethical system has led to many feeling they do not need to be baptised or to be a member of a specific community to live good, moral lives. In an individualist age, others have come to believe they do not need an intermediary between them,” it explains.

Some parents present their children - and sometimes themselves - for baptism "for reasons of convenience or superstition" the report adds. Nevertheless, without further education on the meaning of this ritual and the development of the commitment to dedicate to faith, such a baptism will just be a superficial identification of Christians. The holiness of baptising a life in pursuance of God tends to be overlooked.

"People have lost touch with the Church. Often it is grandparents who bring children to church.”

Now, at the beginning of the 21st century, many traditional churches, like the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church find themselves addressing similar issues in response to changes in society.

After reviewing the history of baptism, the Kirk states that "baptism is no longer seen to be based almost exclusively on the assumption of infant baptism" nowadays. Instead, "by proposing baptism of faith-professing adults as the norm" the Church's Panel on Doctrine offered a doctrine "that draws from the dominant practice of the early church."

In the conclusion of the report, a discussion on reaching a common baptismal liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Scotland is suggested.