Breaking Down Baptism

My son and I began to talk about baptism today and I started searching the net for information I could use in order for him to make an informed choice about taking that step. Upon doing so though, I realized I needed the same information for myself.

I was born and raised Lutheran, so I was "baptized" as an infant. As an adult, I've considered doing it again, but someone how felt like I would be spitting on my parents' decision when I was a baby. Although I am no longer a practicing Lutheran, and haven't been for well over 10 years, somehow I felt like I would still be wrong for choosing to do it again in my adult life.

Over the past few months I have been feeling led to make that public proclamation of my faith, but I still had the internal battle waging within. But this week I decided I was committed to doing it. However, today I got to research the real meaning behind it and then received confirmation on the subject this evening at church.

As I searched for information earlier to share with my son, I came across this comparison of baptism to a wedding ring. http://www.centrikidblog.com/blog/explaining-baptism-to-kids.html In simplest form it's like this: A wedding ring doesn't make a non-married person married simply by placing it on their finger, just like the act of being baptized doesn't make someone a Christian. The ring is an outward symbol of the commitment that was made between two people and baptism is the same thing. Baptism is the outward symbol of the commitment you've made to God. If a married person doesn't wear their ring one day, they are still just as married and if a Christian person doesn't get baptized they are still just as Christian.

I pondered that analogy throughout the day and then was met with the same analogy this evening at church when they discussed the reason behind being baptized. It confirmed for me that I was on the right track with the information I was seeking out. I want it not only for myself, but for my baby boy too. He's old enough and mature enough to be able to make a conscious decision about his salvation, and although this is more like the 3rd step in the process, I want him to begin knowing what his options are and why at his age verses being my age before really seeking it out.

I should never have felt guilty for wanting to recommit my life in that way, and it's not that anyone made me feel that way. But, because I didn't fully understand it, I wasn't able to make the proper decision. With time I will have even more information, that I know I will want to share with others who are unsure about that step,but I am grateful to God for not keeping me in the dark about the beauty of baptism.

I'll share more as I find it...thanks for reading!!! :D