BAPTISMS

Baptism at Trinity

To inquire about or schedule a baptism please contact:

Pastor Kirsten
(201) 664-5904
pk@trinityoldtappan.com

At Trinity, we delight in welcoming the newly baptized as partners with us in Christ’s life and ministry, and we thank you for considering having your Baptism here. Baptism is a sacred occasion. We promise to do all in our power not only to make your Baptism a joyous event, but also to support you in your life in Christ.

What is Baptism?

Baptism is a sacrament by which God welcomes new members into Christ’s Body, the Christian Church, and offers them a place in the reign of God as expressed through the Christian faith. The outward and visible sign in Baptism is water, in which an individual is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The inward and spiritual grace in Baptism is the baptized person’s union with Christ, birth into God’s household, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit.

Inquiry about Baptism

 

Verification

What happens during baptism?

In baptism God promises by grace alone

to forgive our sins;
to adopt us into the Body of Christ, the church;
to send the Holy Spirit daily to renew and cleanse us;
and to resurrect us to eternal life.

Through baptism Christ calls us to new obedience,

to love and trust God completely;
to forsake the evil of the world;
and to live a new and holy life.

Why Baptism (Video)

Who Can Be Baptized?

Anyone who seeks God and is drawn to Jesus Christ is welcome to receive the sacrament of Baptism. God’s invitation extends to people of all ages, from infants to the very aged, and from every kind of background.

Is Baptism recognized by both Catholic and Reformed Churches?

Yes. There is a “Common Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Baptism” that has grown out of 40 years of Roman Catholic and Reformed Church dialogue.  You can find that agreement on our documents page.  Click here to be directed there.

When Are Baptisms Offered?

Trinity celebrates baptisms any time of the year during Sunday morning worship.  Because Baptism is an initiation into the Christian community, and is therefore a public occasion, we will only in rare and demanding circumstances offer “private baptisms” that do not include the presence of gathered Christians beyond the immediate family.

Who Can Be Godparents?

Every candidate for Baptism is accompanied in their faith journey by a sponsor (for adults) or godparent (for children). The commitment of the sponsor or godparent is to support the candidate in the Christian faith and life. Anyone can serve in this role, including persons from other faith traditions or no faith tradition, as long as the individual is sincere in promising to support the candidate’s spiritual growth as a Christian.

How Do I Prepare for Baptism?

Candidates for Baptism, or their parents and godparents when the candidate is an infant, enter into a time of preparation before the Baptism. The preparation usually includes a conversation and prayer with Pastor Kirsten and a blessing by the Consistory.  More extensive formation can be offered, depending on the candidate’s age, background, and desire. During this time, candidates reflect prayerfully on the five promises of The Baptismal Covenant, which serve as a foundation for their commitment to the Christian faith and life.

What Are the Church Expectations After Baptism?

Because Baptism is a rite of initiation and welcome, the Church yearns for the newly baptized to have an authentic relationship with the Christian community. A mark of this relationship will be regular participation in the life of the church. At Trinity, we invite candidates for Baptism to take seriously this aspect of the Christian life and to express their sincere commitment to continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.

More Frequently Asked Questions:

For More About Baptism