A Congregation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church      495 S. Franklin Rd.      Mt. Airy, NC 27030     (336) 783-0779     The Rev. Brenton C. Ferry
Covenant Reformed Nursery ”... the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Luke 18:16). What about our children? We encourage our families to worship together, parents and children. However, we have several options available during worship for parents with young children. First, the rear pews are generally reserved as needed for families with infants who might need to make a quick exit with a crying baby (which we are used to). Second, we have a cryroom in the back of the sanctuary furnished with two pews and a few nice chairs. Third, we have a nursery downstairs equipped with a crib, a toy box, several rocking chairs, and a speaker system which broadcasts the service from upstairs. But the nursery is not staffed, so parents need to tend to their own children, or make arrangements with someone. Infant Baptism We believe in infant baptism. In the Old Testament era the sign of the covenant was circumcision. In the New Testament era baptism replaced circumcision as the church became an international body (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 15). Since covenant children received circumcision in the Old Testament, they should be baptized in the New Testament. In Genesis 17 God told Abraham that the covenant included him and his children, requiring all males in the covenant household to be circumcised. The New Testament continues that covenant (Gal. 3:29). Jesus included them in the covenant community when he said, “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mk. 10:14). Peter said, “the promise is for you and your children” (Acts 2:39). The standard practice was to baptize all members of an entire household (Acts 16:31; 1 Cor. 1:16). Paul said the children of believers are “holy” (1 Cor. 7:14) assuming an Old Testament covenant family paradigm. Why do we baptize infants who are too young to exercise saving faith? The Bible teaches that Abraham was justified through faith alone (Rom. 4:3), but he was still required to circumcise his male children (Gen. 17:10). If the doctrine of justification by faith did not prevent circumcising children in the Old Testament church, it should not prevent them from being baptized in the New Testament church. The Bible teaches that adults who convert to Christianity must first show evidence of saving faith before receiving the covenant sign of baptism. But it does not require this of children born to believers. Rather, the biblical pattern is just the opposite. The covenant sign in the case of our children must precede evidence of saving faith. In short, baptism should be given to all members of the visible church. Children of believers are members of the visible church. Therefore, they should be baptized. Baptism does not make a child born again. We do not believe in baptismal regeneration. Presbyterian Church, OPC Our Calendar Sunday 10:00 am ........... Sunday School 11:00 am .................... Worship 1:30 pm ......... Fellowship Lunch 2:00 pm ........ Catechism Lesson 2:15 pm ............ Prayer Meeting 2:30 pm ...................... Worship 6:00 pm ... Lexington Bible study Tuesday 6:30 pm ....... Session Meeting** Wednesday 6:30 pm ........ NT Greek Lesson* 7:00 pm ............... Bible Study* Thursday 7:00 pm ......... Catechism Class* * Canceled Nov. - Dec. ** Meets Monthly Our Worship 11:00 am Apostolic Salutation Silent Prayer and Preparation Call to Worship Hymn Invocation & Lord’s Prayer Gloria Patri Vows (Occasional) Scripture Reading Pastoral Prayer Hymn of the Month Reading of the Gospel Sermon Hymn Collection of the Offering Doxology Lord’s Supper (Monthly) Hymn Benediction 2:30 pm Apostolic Salutation Silent Prayer and Preparation Call to Worship Hymn Prayer Your Hymn Selections Hymn Scripture Reading Sermon Responsive Reading Deacons’ Offering Hymn Benediction
Welcome |  Directions  |  Church Plant  |  Doctrine  |  Nursery  |  Sunday School  |  Officers  |  Writings  |  Audio  |  Misc.