Historical Origins And Development Of The Renewal Of The Baptismal Covenant

Baptism was understood as a pledge, vow, covenant, or contract early in the history of the Christian church. The very term sacrament meant an oath in Roman culture. When children of Christian parents were baptized, whether as part of the households mentioned in the New Testament or as children born into families that had been Christian for generations, this pledge was made by the parents and baptismal sponsors. The sacrament of confirmation became separated from baptism in the West. When Protestant Reformers denied sacramental status to confirmation but retained it as catechetical device, it gradually developed into a ceremony by which, after instruction, adolescent children of Christian parents took ownership of the vows made for them at baptism. Early Baptism and Promises Baptism, which represents God's gift in grace, represents also a believer's deep commitment, an act of faith. The sixteenth century theologian Richard Hooker said,"The solemnest vow that we ever made to obey Chr…