Baptism is ...

Water is a powerful symbol of renewal, rebirth, cleansing, and covenant. Presbyterians use water to baptize adults on their profession of faith, as well as the children of church members. Many Presbyterians are baptized as infants as a sign of God’s love and in recognition of their unconditional inclusion into the church. Baptism into the community of faith takes place publicly, during a worship service. Sometimes arrangements are made to hold a special, public worship service in a space other than the sanctuary, such as a lake-shore or river bank. Whether by using a traditional Baptismal Font for sprinkling water on the head, or through full immersion at an outdoor body of water, baptisms are only done once. Should someone wish to reaffirm their baptism, a special anointing service is used that celebrates God’s grace and love. As there is one body, there is one Baptism. (Eph. 4:4-6) The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recognizes all Baptisms with water in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit administered by other Christian churches.