Baptism is an outward expression of an inward grace. It is one of two sacraments we practice at Morning Star Church. In our practice there are three forms of baptism.

Form 1 - Infant Baptism

Because we believe that Baptism is a means of experiencing God's grace, we practice infant baptism as a covenant initiated by God between the baby's parents and the church. John Wesley taught about three forms of grace, prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace. Prevenient grace is easiest to see when we look back on our lives and recognize all the places where God was at work even before we knew God was present. This prevenient grace is what we sight when we baptize an infant. It is an adoption into the family of God initiated by God even though the child is unaware of God's presence. The commitment made at this time is between God the parents and the church. The church vows to provide an environment where the child can grow to understand fully the grace of God through Jesus Christ. The parent vows to bring the child into the environment and lead them on their spiritual journey toward this saving (justifying) grace.

When a person comes to an understanding of what Christ has done in order for us to come into a full relationship with God, they receive the justifying grace that John Wesley taught about. This is the grace that is offered to all who will receive God's forgiveness of sin and enter into a life of following Jesus. The Bible tells us that in order to receive this justifying grace we must “confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord” and “believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead” (Romans 10:9). When a person receives this grace we believe the next step on their journey is to be baptized.

Form 2 - Adult Baptism

If the person receiving this grace was not baptized as an infant we refer to this as a first time profession of faith. In this case the person is baptized for the first time indicating that they have received for themselves the justifying grace that enters them into a full relationship with Christ.

Form 3 - Reaffirmation of Baptism

If the person receiving this grace was baptized as an infant we refer to this baptism as an reaffirmation of baptism. In this case the person is baptized reaffirming that the grace their parents and church pointed them toward has now been received in full for themselves.

If you are ready to take this next step on your spiritual journey please fill out this form and we will get back to you asap. https://mscwired.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1476/responses/new