It is a rule in our churches that the baptism of children of members of the congregation takes place “as soon as possible” (Church Order Art. 56). We don’t wait a few weeks hoping that grandpa or grandma will be feeling a bit better, or that the uncle and aunt from Australia can be there for the occasion. We also do not set aside a few separate “Baptism Sundays” each year for which we “save up” the infants to be baptized. No, baptism is performed “as soon as feasible”. In that regard we distinguish ourselves from other churches.

Why is that? Is baptism such an important thing? Even without baptism, our children belong to God’s covenant, don’t they? They don’t need to depend on their baptism for their salvation, do they? Isn’t that a Roman Catholic idea?

Ought to…⤒🔗

It is quite true: baptism is no more than “a sign and seal” of God’s covenant. An infant who might die before being baptized is not lost for that reason. Let no one make an “idol” out of his or her baptism; you are not automatically saved when you are baptized!

And yet, baptism is important.

In Genesis 17 the LORD institutes circumcision. The LORD promises to Abraham, “I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you” (Gen. 17:7). In turn I want you to honour that covenant by circumcising every male among you. “And it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you” (Gen. 17:9-11). Then the LORD adds that we may not underestimate it or be indifferent about it, for the person “who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant” (Gen. 17:14). Circumcision is not a matter of ‘we may’ but of ‘we must!

The same applies to baptism. After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit when the apostle Peter has finished his sermon about Christ, the bystanders ask, “What shall we do?” to which he replies, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you” (Acts 2:38). Be baptized! Again, that’s a demand. Everyone has to let him/herself be baptized.

The Heidelberg Catechism therefore does not ask, “May infants be baptized?” but “Should infants, too, be baptized?” (Question 74).

The Belgic Confession states the same in Art. 34, “We believe that these children ought to be baptized.” And at the baptism itself the first question asked of the parents is whether they confess that their children ought to be baptized.

Am I mistaken if I have the impression that in our experience it’s more often a matter of “we may” rather than “we ought to”?

The moment←⤒🔗

Scripture also has something to say about the moment when newborn infants are to be circumcised: on the eighth day (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3). Leviticus 12 explains what that date entailed. When an Israelite woman gave birth to a son, she would be unclean for seven plus thirty-three days. For the first seven days she was “infectiously” unclean: whatever she would touch would become unclean as well. For the next thirty-three days she would continue to be unclean, however this would now only affect herself: she was not allowed to touch anything holy, yet she would no longer affect others with her uncleanness.

During the first seven days therefore a mother would also “contaminate” her newborn son, who would be unclean for that time. Only on the eighth day would her son be clean and could he be circumcised. But then it had to happen right away, on the first day after his uncleanness; a clear indication for the rule of “as soon as feasible” in our church order.

By rights this “as soon as feasible” should be rather obvious. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant and thus belongs to it. When you are included in that covenant you should also receive the sign of it as soon as possible. Consider the example of Abraham: when he received the command to circumcise, he did not delay but obeyed the same day (Gen. 17:23).

We see the same thing happening in Acts 2: where after Peter’s call for repentance and baptism, this also takes place on that same day (Acts 2:41). A bridal couple also does not buy their wedding rings a few weeks after their wedding day! The first question to the parents at the baptismal font is then also whether they confess that their children ought to be baptized, not whether they ought to become baptized. This is a formulation to which we need to pay careful attention! And isn’t this what parents want: not a child to-be-baptized, but a baptized child?! When it is a compulsory matter, not having many relatives present on such a Sunday is not such a big deal.

The congregation←⤒🔗

That last sentence is not just an offhanded comment. The presence of family and relatives certainly carries much value. But do not allow the entourage associated with the event to become a hindrance to administering baptism as soon as is feasible. On such a Sunday we often only look at the baby, the parents and their family. However, it is not for nothing that the baptism is administered in the church! Through baptism a child is received “into the church of God” (BC Art. 34). Moreover, as witness of the baptism, the congregation is called to provide the baptized infant with such care as is needed for him or her to live up to that baptism. Through the administration of holy baptism the Holy Spirit wants to strengthen faith in all of us (HC, QA 65). On a baptism Sunday not only the parents and relatives are to be congratulated and wished the strength and wisdom of the Spirit, but this goes for the entire congregation!

This is an element that is often overlooked. Everything is focused on the “rights” of the family who is baptising. But the congregation too has a “right” that baptism is administered “as soon as feasible”. Is this alive among us?

Baptism visitation←⤒🔗

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the administration of baptism should take place on either the first or second Sunday after the birth. When the maternity caregiver considers the mother to be able to take up her tasks again, then it should be possible for baptism to be administered as well.

For a consistory to ensure that there will be no hindrance to a timely baptism, it will be good for the minister or the ward elder to make a baptism visit before the first Sunday.

This article was translated by Wim Kanis.