questions in baptism . . . Baptism

The rite of Baptism starts with several questions.  Allow me to explain the significance of these questions.

First, what name do you give your child?  The question pertains to identity.  In baptism we are giving the child an identity.  Identity is the answer to the question, who are you?  Who am I?  This is important because morality, ethics and good psychology teach us that action flows from being.  Our action comes from our understanding of who we are.  Ano ka?  Sin-o ka?  Ang imo pamatasan, ang imo pagginawi, ang imo values magahalin sa sini nga paghangop.  Sin-o ka?  Ako si Edward?  Ano ka?  Ako anak sang Dios.

As an addendum to this first point allow me also to point out the belief of the people in the bible that he or she who gives the name claims responsibility for the child.  By claiming responsibility, you also accept accountability.  If the child is to act based on his identity then they who gave the name would make sure that their child, this child of God lives up to his identity.

Second, what do you ask of God’s church?  Ano ang ginapangayo ninyo sa simbahan.  Your answer is baptism.  At this time and at this stage of the life of your child you are made to choose in his behalf.  You made a choice, a choice which this child could not yet make for himself.  There will be a lot of choices which you will make for this child – you will choose the food that he takes, the doctor who will monitor his health, the education that he gets.  You will choose the kind of environment you will allow him to grow, you will choose many things for your child and by the time he reaches his adult years, the choices you make now will have big consequences.  So make good choices.  The kind of mother you will become, the kind of father you will become, the kind of relationship you show as husband and wife, as mother and father, will have far reaching consequences to the child.  Ang inyo pagpalanggaanay, ang inyo pag-inaway, ang inyo pag-istoryahanay, ang inyo pag-atubang sang inyo mga problema, these are choices which will have effects on the child.  Again choose well.

Make the Lord bless you in your efforts.  May you be blessed in your task and responsibility, as father and mother to Edward.