Baptism is the sacrament of initiation.  With infants and small children, its primary symbol shows God's love for us before we are able to respond.  Parents make the vows on behalf of the child.  The baptized child makes their own public commitment to Christ in the 7th grade at Confirmation.  When someone is able to answer for themselves, baptism is a time to acknowledge that we trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  We also confess that we are sinners.  Water is a symbol of being washed or cleansed  from sin.  It is not the amount of water or the mode of baptism that is the focus, but on God’s grace coming into our lives.  Baptism is a way of saying before others, “I am on the Lord’s side.”  We recognize as valid the baptism of other Christian churches.  If you were baptized before in another Christian church you will not be “re-baptized” at Asbury.  We believe God was active in your life far before you came to Asbury.