I was perplexed how many times I ran across news concerning a priest who had used an incorrect word when officiating baptism services in his parish.
A few folks asked me if I had heard of it. A faithful priest had gotten into the habit of saying, “We baptize you” instead of “I baptize you” while baptizing people. In a way, he was trying to include family and friends in the service. There was no harm intended and there is confusion how many times he did this.
Parishioners are asked to review videos of their baptisms to listen to the words being used. Why does this matter and why did it become such big news?
In this priest’s church, he acts as a representative of God and says “I” on behalf of the church. Using “We” refers to the greater community, which does not have the authority to baptize. Previously, in similar incidents, the use of “We” was not considered to invalidate baptism.
What changed?
After study, his church ruled all the baptisms he performed with the word “We” are invalid. So, all those baptized with the word “We” are not members of the church and any other sacraments received would also be not valid. Research is being done so those baptized with the incorrect word are baptized with the correct word.
In the Christian faith, baptism is one of our sacraments (a sign of God’s grace) and part of the initiation into church membership. Most churches will agree with this statement.
There are different understandings of what occurs at baptism. For some churches, baptism is required for salvation and membership. For others, it is a covenant response to the saving work of Jesus Christ.
In the church I serve, “Water is administered in the name of the triune God by an authorized person.” It is important that one is baptized not just in the name of God, but as the resurrected Lord said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
Last fall, I attended a beautiful baptism service held by Orr Branch Baptist Church at the Snowbird Picnic area. The Rev. Michael Pannell led the service. There was great singing, good preaching and a baptism. It was a glorious time.
Jesus never meant for something he instituted as a blessing to become a source of conflict. Humanity always seems to make it that way.
There is the story of two brothers who had attended a river baptism service and decided they needed to baptize their animals. They dammed up the creek and headed down with their dogs, a few other small animals and an old goat. They baptized their dogs, a few chickens and it came time for the goat. They got him into the water, but couldn’t get him under.
After struggling with the stubborn old goat for a while one of the boys said, “I guess he’ll just have to be a Methodist.”
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church. He can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.