Baptism represents a death and burial.
By G. A. ROBERTS, President of the Inter-American Division
When death enters the home, all is subdued and quiet. Such a spirit should characterize the place where the baptismal services are held. All voices should be hushed, and confusion avoided. When the candidate is lowered into the water, it should be done very slowly, in the same way that you would lower the casket into the grave.
It is most shocking to see the way some ministers plunge candidates into the water. Such a procedure does not add to the solemnity of the occasion, but takes away the sacredness of the act. A baptismal service may be made impressive and instructive, and should be conducted in such a way that it will contain a deep spiritual appeal to the unconverted, whether the service be conducted out of doors in a running stream, or in a building where prepared facilities are provided.
The public examination of candidates should be of a general nature, the purpose being twofold: First, that those to be baptized may publicly declare and affirm their belief and faith in the Lord Jesus as their Saviour from sin, and their belief in the fundamental doctrines of the remnant people; secondly, for the benefit of the congregation who are about to adopt the candidates as members of the church family. The public examination need be of a general nature only, and for the reasons mentioned, because no one should be brought to the hour of the baptismal service who has not before given satisfactory assurance of his conversion, and evidence that he is living the truth. .
Nothing should detract from the solemnity and dignity of the occasion. To this end, woolen or other suitable baptismal robes, of nonclinging material, weighted at the bottom, should be supplied. If the service is performed in a church, as is most customary now, arrangements should be made so that the candidates do not appear in sight of the congregation until they are stepping into the water. And after they are baptized, they should rise from the water to step behind a curtain immediately as they ascend the steps. A suitable number of deacons and deaconesses should always be in the dressing rooms and on the platform to assist the candidates with loving ministry in every necessary way.
The minister should take his place in the pool first. Then the candidates should be directed into the water by a deacon or a deaconess. The music should be previously arranged for of course. Choir or congregational singing, well directed, may intersperse the service where more than one person is baptized. The minister should assist the candidate down the steps, and place him in such a position that when he is raised from the water, his face will be away from, rather than directly toward, the congregation. An ample supply of small towels should be within reach of the minister, with which he may remove surplus water from the candidate's face.
The words of commitment to the water may vary. A suitable form is as follows: My dear brother ___ , upon your profession at faith in the Lord Jesus, I now baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." These, or other suitable committal words, are spoken by the minister as he lifts his hand for reverent silence.
When the last candidate has been baptized, it is very fitting that the minister should gesture the congregation to rise, and from the water pronounce the benediction.
This service, while requiring order and a certain amount of form, should not be performed as a task or duty, in a hurried, officious way, but should be marked by reverence of demeanor, kindness, and gentle tenderness. No quick, sudden moves or thrusts should be made. This ordinance should never be administered in a cold, businesslike manner, but in a reverent, loving way.
Candidates may be voted into the membership of the church, subject to the baptism of the hour, or they may be voted into church membership on the succeeding Sabbath. The right hand of fellowship should be publicly extended by the minister, and in a small church by the entire membership.
Outdoor Baptismal Services
By V. G. ANDERSON, President, Oregon Conference
We all recognize, of course, that in baptism a person is being buried with Christ. A burial, or funeral service, is naturally a very solemn occasion. A baptism is really a beautiful scene to witness, if the minister carefully lowers his candidate into the water, the water thus gradually covering the entire person. This method neither excites the candidate nor makes the scene abrupt. A minister's steady, measured movements may invite a quiet reverence and eliminate the chance of splashing the water as the candidate is lowered. The minister should take time to be dignified. Every movement should be unhurried if he is to make this service as impressive as it should be.
The singing is also very important. Much care should be taken in the selection of songs suited to the occasion. It is often difficult to sing out of doors without an instrument, and those who lead out should by all means practice together beforehand. At the water's edge, these selected few should stand close together, so that the singing may be the most harmonious. The song leader should have a clear understanding with the minister as to just when to start each hymn, thus lessening the possibility of awkward pauses while waiting for the minister to adjust the candidate. It would be better to have the minister wait for the conclusion of a stanza, than for the singers to wait for the minister. However, the ideal way is for each stanza of the hymns to be ended just as the minister raises his hand for the baptismal words. Great care should be taken that children shall not play near the water's edge, for this will detract from the spirit of the service. This can be avoided by having someone appointed to take care of the matter.
As I think of the important items involved in making this service what it should be, that it may impress others with the sacredness of the step and cause them to decide for Christ,
I would list the following:
1. The Scripture reading and prayer at the water's edge, will, if planned aright, do much to eliminate confusion and bring a spirit of reverence and quietness into the service. The minister's voice should be clear and strong enough for all to hear the words spoken; otherwise there will be restlessness on the part of those who do not hear.
2. Songs that denote the experience of the baptismal candidates—that of having our sins washed away, and of giving our lives to Christ, just as we are—should be carefully selected.
3. There should be careful arrangement of the singers at the water's edge. and a clear understanding between the song leader and the minister as to when to begin each stanza of the hymns sung.
4. The minister's actions should be such as to signify that he is carrying on a sacred work. This is one of the most sacred services a minister ever conducts. I think of the ministering of the priests before the altar, and with what carefulness they must have worked and administered their duties. This same carefulness should be in the mind of the minister.
5. Deliberate, careful baptizing of the individual, signifying burial, has, I believe, much to do with making the scene impressive and implanting in the minds of the people the impression we wish them to receive.
6. An earnest prayer at the close—dedicating the candidates to the service of God, and praying for their steadfastness—closes the entire service with a sense of sacredness.
Never should one allow a baptismal service to become commonplace. It is one of the greatest events in the life of an individual. Baptism is the outward expression to the world of an inward work of God's grace. It is the gateway to heaven. This service, carried on rightly, will many times lead others to see its significance and influence them to surrender their lives to God at a later time.
Program and Order of Service
By W. P. ORTNER, Pastor, Peoria, Illinois
The names and experience of all candidates should be presented to the church board before the time of baptism. This makes for confidence in the pastor's work. Surely such a sacred occasion is rightfully entitled to a sacred ceremony. After a short sermon setting forth the significance of baptism as a saving ordinance, the candidates, who occupy the front pews, are asked to rise while the minister addresses them. He emphasizes the high standards of the Christian life and requests them to acknowledge publicly their intentions to adhere to these standards. This part of the ceremony may well serve as an inventory for the church.
The candidates are then received into the fellowship of the church, subject to baptism, which follows immediately in churches in which there is a baptistry. Otherwise this rite is administered the same afternoon. The time of examination of the candidates is the logical moment for their acceptance into church fellowship, as baptism constitutes the "door" to the church. It is fitting that the pastor extend the hand of fellowship to the candidates immediately following the vote of the church. The church elders may also join in this.
It is preferable that both minister and candidates wear baptismal robes. This lends sacred dignity to the service, and is sanctioned by the "Testimonies." "In every church, baptismal robes should be provided for the candidates. This should not be regarded as a needless outlay."—Volume VI, pp. 97, 98. When a church building is erected, care should be taken to have the baptistry so constructed that the candidates are not in open view by the congregation while walking to the baptistry and entering the water, or while emerging from the water and walking to the dressing rooms. This will help to make the service impressive and unoffensive. If possible, it is a good plan to have the baptistry insulated and separated entirely from the main auditorium when the doors are closed.
Deacons and deaconesses should be present to assist the candidates. The chorister leads the congregation in a brief song service, singing one stanza of such hymns as "The Cleansing Wave" and "I Will Follow Thee, My Saviour," between each immersion. Some ministers prefer to have the pianist or organist play appropriate hymns softly during the baptismal service rather than to have the congregation sing. This plan has been found to be less awkward, as it does not interfere with the minister's work.
Before leaving the water, the minister may fittingly offer a prayer, imploring God's Spirit and blessing to rest upon the candidates. A few hymns may be sung while the minister and candidates reassemble. At this time it is impressive to read a number of scriptures to the candidates in the form of a charge. Some suggestive ones are Colossians 2:6-10; 3:1-3; Ephesians 2:19-22; Acts 20:32; Jude 24:25.
Following the reading of these texts, the minister presents each candidate with a baptismal certificate. A very attractive one is the certificate in brochure form put out by Washington Missionary College Press, Takoma Park, Maryland. It contains, in addition to the form certificate, a brief summary of our distinctive beliefs. Then follows the Communicant's Covenant, which the candidate signs. The hymn, "0 Jesus, I Have Promised," followed by the benediction, fittingly concludes the service.
Preparation and Administration
By A. R. BELL, Pastor, Bellingham, Washington
Baptism is the most beautiful rite connected with the church of Christ. In its very simplicity lies its beauty. No candidate should he hurried into baptism. Baptism should follow only where the most complete preparation has preceded it. The candidates should be carefully instructed in the faith. They should be taught the real significance of the rite—not simply "buried with Christ," but in all fullness "putting on Christ" and being submerged into His life.
Candidates should be brought before the church, and their request for baptism and full church membership be made known. A statement by the minister should be made, telling how closely the candidates have been examined. (This is to forestall foolish, irrelevant, and sometimes embarrassing questions by members.) The church should then vote them in as members, subject to baptism.
As to the rite. Prayer should be offered. Then the question may be asked: "Brother_________ , have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour ?" The candidate should be instructed to reply, "I have." Then the minister may ask: "Have you covenanted together with Him to walk with Him in the pathway of His commandments?" The candidate should say, "I have."
Then the minister, with arm uplifted, says, "Upon the profession of your faith in a crucified and risen Saviour, I now baptize you into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
A candidate will not cause confusion in the water if he leaves himself entirely in the hands of the minister, closing his lips and not opening them until he feels the towel on his face. At the next Sabbath service, the candidates should receive the right hand of fellowship.