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Baptisms

If you have recently been blessed with a child then congratulations to you! In the church we rejoice with you at the birth of your child: it is a joy and privilege, but also a serious responsibility.

If you are considering having your child baptised then you will find some useful information on this page.

In the Church of Scotland we practise 'infant baptism', meaning that we baptise children as well as adults. Some churches only baptise adults at a time when they make a decision to follow Jesus. We baptise children as well because we want to emphasise that God first loves us. When we baptise a child we are asserting the fact that even before we are ever aware of it, God loves us. His grace and forgiveness are for all. The symbol of water sprinkled is a symbol of purification and reminds us of God's love.

When we later come to make a decision to follow Jesus this is usually tied with becoming a member of the church. For more details see the Church Membership page.

Vows taken by parents and congregation

During the baptism you, as parents or guardians, are asked two questions:

1. Do you confess your faith in God as your Creator and Father in Jesus Christ as your Lord and in the Holy Spirit as your guide and helper? (I do)

2. Do you promise, with God’s help, to teach your child(ren) the truths and duties of the Christian faith and to encourage him/her/them as he/she/they grow(s) in the life and worship of the church? (I do)

These questions and your response are important. For the most part you will be the means by which God's love will be shown to your child and these promises reflect your commitment to do that with God's help. Your child will look to you as an example, and Baptism is also a sign of your child's welcome into the church family.

We want to help you as best we can to fulfil the promises you make so the congregation also make a commitment when they answer the following question:

3. Do you, the representatives here of Christ’s church, welcome [child's name] into the family of the church and promise them your friendship, support and prayers? (We do)

Adult Baptism

If you were not baptised as a child then we would be delighted to see you take the step to be baptised as an adult. Sometimes parents do this as they bring their own children to be baptised. An adult baptism is usually immediately followed by the public profession of faith that proceeds a full welcome into the church as one of its members.

Again, there are two questions put to you, the first before the baptism and the second after the baptism.

1. Do you, in the presence of this congregation, turn away from sin and ask for God’s forgiveness; seeking a deepening faith in which you will honour God and love other people as yourself? (I do)

2. Do you promise, with God’s help, to serve the Lord and to continue to be a part of the family of the Church for the rest of your life? (I do)

For more details please contact Peter Johnston. 

Will something bad happen to my baby if they are not baptised?

God loves your baby whether or not they are baptised. While we take special joy in welcoming a child into the fellowship of the church family some parents decide to leave baptism until their child can make the decision themselves.

Do I have to be a member of the church to have my child baptised?

Because Baptism is a Sacrament of the church and the vows specifically ask questions of faith then it only makes sense if at least one of you profess belief and faith in God. The Church of Scotland requires that at least one parent / guardian be baptised and a member of the church. Occasional exceptions are made in St Andrew's if, for instance, a grandparent is a committed member of the congregation. Please talk to the minister, Peter Johnston, about this for more information.

We don't want to become church members, but still want to have our child baptised. What can we do?

In this case it would probably be better to wait until such a time when, through the growth of your own faith, you are ready to profess your faith in God and his Son, Jesus. St Andrew's runs frequent Enquirer's Groups for those wanting to know more about church membership.

However, we recognise the importance of welcoming and thanking God for your child and the minister would be happy to have you bring your child forward in the Sunday morning service where he will say a prayer of thanks and ask for God's blessing upon your child. Please contact Peter for more details. 

I was baptised as a child, but don't remember it and would like to be baptised again, can I do so?

No. Baptism is a Sacrament of the church which is done once only.

I was baptised in a different church, does that count?

The Church of Scotland recognises the baptism of all the main church denominations (e.g. Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, etc.).