THE AME CHURCH’S DOCTRINE ON BAPTISM
Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others who are not baptized, but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. Baptism is one of two sacraments observed in the African Methodist Episcopal Church; Holy Communion is the other.
The sacrament of Baptism is an essential part of our initiation into Christ’s church. New members who profess their faith for the first time are baptized as a symbol of the remission of their sins and their commitment to Christian discipleship. The African Methodist Episcopal Church supports one baptism, so that those baptized in other Christian traditions are not re-baptized when they become African Methodist Episcopal.
Because we believe that persons of all ages are recipients of God’s redeeming love, we encourage and support the baptism of infants and children, as well as youth and adults. Upon the baptism of children, the parents and the church family commit themselves to teach children the foundations of the Christian faith by word and example.
Purpose of Baptism
Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Through baptism, believers are able to lead a new life in Christ through the life giving power of the Holy Spirit. Baptism brings believers into union with Christ and with the corporate body of believers (the Church).
Candidates for Baptism: Youth and Young Children
The baptism of young children is to be retained in the church (AME Book of Discipline, Section II. Articles of Religion, p. 17). We hold that all children are members of the Kingdom of God by virtue of the unconditional benefits of atonement. They, therefore, are entitled to baptism. We regard all children who have been baptized as being in visible covenant relation to God and as preparatory members under the special care and supervision of the church, and they shall be so reported.
Parents or guardians who present children for baptism are expected to use all diligence in bringing them up in conformity with the Word of God. It shall be the responsibility of the minister to exhort all parents/guardians to dedicate their children to the Lord in baptism as early as convenient. Prior to baptism, the minister shall also instruct the parents/ guardians regarding the vows they are to keep according to this Sacrament. (AME Book of Discipline, Section I.B. Admission into the Church, p. 65)
Conducting the Sacrament of Baptism
The sacrament of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or sprinkling or pouring water on the candidate’s head while pronouncing the invocation of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
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