What We Believe
from www.elca.org
Christ the King is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and, as such, educates about Baptism and performs Baptisms in a way that aligns with our faith.
“In Holy Baptism, God liberates us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Born children of a fallen humanity, in the baptismal waters we become God’s reborn children and inherit eternal life. By water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the Church, which is Christ’s body. As we live with him and with his people, we grow in faith, love and obedience to God’s will.
God’s act, Jesus’ command
In the beginning of the ELCA baptismal service, we acknowledge first that Baptism is God’s act, God’s initiative and God’s gift. It connects us to Jesus, the Church, and eternal life. That is fundamental to ELCA Lutherans’ baptismal theology.
Lutherans baptize in response to Jesus directing his disciples to, “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). We believe that this Great Commission is the motivator for Christian Baptism.
The Church and infant baptism
ELCA Lutherans believe that Baptism is the Church’s entry rite. Baptism brings us into the Church, Christ’s living body on earth. As the First Century churches baptized whole families, including infants, so do Lutherans. In fact, usually ELCA Lutherans bring their infants to the baptismal font within the first months—even weeks—of a child’s life.
Sacramental baptism—Word and water
Baptism is one of the two sacraments that mark Lutheran theology and practice, the other being The Eucharist (or Holy Communion). We believe both to have been instituted by Jesus.
Martin Luther defined sacraments as actions whose outward signs point to God’s command and promise. They contain two things: 1) the Word of God that makes the action or elements a sacrament; and 2) an outward sign—which in Baptism is the primordial element, the ‘stuff’ of life, water.
Forgiveness of sin and salvation
Luther’s Large Catechism (IV, 83) instructs that Baptism “overcomes and takes away sin.” Sin is washed away and the old self shattered. Newness comes not by the breath of God, as at creation, but by the death of Christ.
What We Do
Our Faith Stepping Stones Program
At CtK, we believe that a person’s faith development begins at birth and that, for children, their primary faith developers are their parents. The Christian education of children should include time invested in Sunday school classes and other church-sponsored events, but there is nothing that can replace the family’s role in a child’s faith journey.
In order to help equip parents and students to be strong families of faith, we encourage all families to participate in our Faith Stepping Stones program, which is a series of classes, beginning at Baptism and continuing through high school graduation, that equips and calls parents to grow a home where simple faith practices are deepened and caring communication happens every night. Through this process, parents and children develop nightly faith practices that includes blessing, prayer, scripture reading, sharing of Highs & Lows, faith dialogue, and a nightly "I'm sorry" before turning out the lights on the day. This "every night in every home" ritual blesses the child, gifts the family, and calls parents to their promise while incubating faith.
Faith Stepping Stones and Baptism
At Christ the King we offer the Baptism Faith Stepping Stone course of three classes once every quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer). We ask that parents seeking to have their child baptized at CtK attend one full course (three classes), where you’ll have the chance to meet other parents who, just like you, are beginning the very same journey with their little ones. You’ll build community and deepen your faith all while strengthening your commitment to God and your families. After the classroom component of the course is finished, families will join with the congregation of Christ the King for Baptism on our pre-scheduled Baptism Sunday Celebration day, an incredibly meaningful day as we welcome new life into the body of Christ—the church.
