James's Baptism

On the weekend of February 16th, our families came to visit to celebrate James's baptism. 

We went to the zoo to get the weekend started. 

 There were so many peacocks, and they were gorgeous!

 Here are some precious pictures I took of James a few days before the baptism. 

Our preacher encourages us to read What Christian Parents Should Know About Infant Baptism by John P. Sartelle. My mom told me it was one of my grandfather's (George Gillespie) favorite books. My parents have a hundred copies at their house.  It is only 28 pages long.

In the summary of the book, John P. Sartelle says, "The Bible teaches that the sign of salvation is to be applied to the children of believing parents. In the Old Testament, circumcision was the sign. In the New Testament, baptism is the sign. The baptism of our children symbolizes the reality that they are set apart in the sight of God. In the baptism, parents covenant to raise their children by the directions of their Lord. Such a baptism calls a child from his earliest days to confess Christ as his Savior."

This baptism does not actually mean James is saved. It does mean that Nick and I will do everything we can to make sure he knows his Heavenly Father and the need for our Savior. He is a covenant child of God, and how wonderful it is that he is a child of a God that fulfills his promises.

Words of Institution from the bulletin:
"For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto Him. And I will establish my covenant between Me and you and your seed after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto you and to your seed after you. Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household (Acts 2:39; Genesis 17:7; Acts 16:31). All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20).

James was perfect during the baptism. He didn't make a sound. Millie was quiet too, even though she lay down on the floor for a minute. We had a few friends and family over for lunch after the service.

I love you precious boy. 

And I pray this verse for you:

"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13: 20 - 21