Baptismal Instruction

Definition and Meaning

Baptismal instruction is a course of teaching, given before baptism, on the basic content of the Christian faith, the meaning of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and the life of a church member. After the instruction is completed, a pastor or the church's governing body questions the candidate and confirms his or her faith. This procedure is called the baptismal examination (Korean serye mundap, literally "questions and answers"). In Korean churches, the term is sometimes also used for the entire course of instruction.

Biblical and Historical Background

Matthew 28:19-20 commands both baptizing and teaching people to observe what Christ commanded. The Didache, an early church document, also indicates that instruction was given before baptism was administered. By around the second and third centuries, a system had become established in which baptismal candidates (catechumens) were taught over a set period, which reportedly lasted as long as several years.

During the Reformation, catechisms that set out doctrine in question-and-answer form were widely used as textbooks for instruction in the faith. Representative examples include Martin Luther's Small Catechism (1529), the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), and the Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647).

Practice in Korean Churches

Typically, candidates spend several weeks studying the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, along with salvation, the sacraments, and church life, before undergoing the examination. Many churches link the course to a new members' class. Procedures vary by denomination as follows.

• Presbyterian: Traditionally, a candidate first spends a period as a catechumen and is then baptized after examination by the session. Those who received infant baptism undergo an examination for confirmation when they are older.
• Methodist: The Korean Methodist Church and other Methodist bodies have a procedure in which a person who has completed the catechumenate is examined by the senior pastor and then baptized. Those who received infant baptism go through the confirmation process.
• Baptist: Baptists do not practice infant baptism and administer baptism by immersion only to those who have personally professed faith. After instruction, the candidate's profession of faith or testimony is often heard, and the church (the congregation) decides on baptism and admission to membership.
• Pentecostal: Pentecostal churches baptize converts in water after instruction and examination.
• Anglican: The Anglican Church of Korea provides instruction for adult candidates for baptism. Those who received infant baptism receive instruction before confirmation (a rite in which a person personally affirms the faith).

Some have criticized baptismal instruction as brief and perfunctory. In response, some churches have strengthened its content by lengthening the period of instruction or developing new curricula.