Baptism Policy

Baptism is one of two sacraments celebrated in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the other being the Lord’s Supper. A sacrament is a visual aid which illustrates and confirms the spiritual truths and promises contained in the gospel – a visible example of God’s invisible grace.

Below is the baptism policy for Toberdoney Presbyterian Church, agreed by the Kirk Session, along with supplementary documents. Also included is a sermon on the meaning of infant baptism.

In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ,having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Colossians 2:11-12

Infant Baptism

The most important issue surrounding the baptism of a child is the saving faith of at least one of his/her parents. We therefore require either the child’s father or mother to be someone who believes the Gospel and trusts in Christ for his/her salvation. As a sign of this saving faith we would strongly encourage the believing parent(s) to become full communicant members of Toberdoney Presbyterian Church if this is not the current state of affairs.

The father and mother of the child to be baptised must be married to each other, where possible. If the couple have not been married in Toberdoney Presbyterian Church we may ask for a copy of the marriage certificate.

New families should be in regular attendance at Toberdoney Presbyterian Church, over a period of 4-6 months, before any baptism can take place.

In fulfilment of promises made at the baptism of the child we expect families with baptised children to be in regular attendance at Toberdoney Presbyterian Church after the baptism has taken place and expect the baptised child to be encouraged to play a full part in the youth provision of Toberdoney Presbyterian Church.

Baptism of one child does not immediately guarantee baptism of subsequent children.

Before discussing baptism with the minister, parents of the child to be baptised should complete the pre-baptism questionnaire. You can download this online and paper copies are available from the minister.

If one or both parents are communicant members of another congregation this membership should be transferred to Toberdoney Presbyterian Church before any baptism can be discussed.

We are unable to baptise children who will not or are unable to grow up within our church.

For further reading, see chapter 28 of the Westminster Confession of Faith, questions 165-167 of the Larger Catechism. These are available online and paper copies are also available from the minister.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26-28

Adult Baptism

The most important issue surrounding the baptism of an individual is the saving faith of that individual. We therefore require the individual seeking baptism to be someone who believes the Gospel and trusts in Christ for his/her salvation.

Baptism should only be administered once and so we cannot baptise an adult who has previously been baptised as a child or an adult. Baptism is valid if water is used and the individual is baptised in the name of God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

Individuals should spend at least 4 months in regular attendance at Toberdoney Presbyterian Church before any baptism can take place. We expect that baptism will be followed by full communicant membership of this church.

In fulfilment of promises made at the baptism we expect baptised individuals to be in regular attendance at Toberdoney Presbyterian Church after the baptism has taken place.

We are unable to baptise adults who will not or are unable to be part of our fellowship.