Matthew 28:19 commands Trinitarian baptism; both infants and believers
Moravians affirm Matthew 28:19 as Jesus's command to baptize in the Trinitarian name. This passage supports the Moravian practice of administering baptism 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.'
The Moravian church practices both infant baptism (of children of believing parents, as a sign of God's grace and the child's place in the covenant community) and believer's baptism (of adult converts). Baptism is understood as an outward sign of the Holy Spirit's inward work. For Moravians, both practices reflect the desire to include all in the community of grace while honoring both infant baptism's sign-character and believers' baptism's expression of conscious commitment.
Key Distinctions
- Baptismal formula:
- name of Father, Son, Holy Spirit
- Baptism mode:
- both infant and believer baptism
- Baptism recipients:
Scripture References
Sources
- Moravian Book of Worship
- Moravian Church Handbook