SUBJECT:  Godparents

QUESTION: Is this idea supported in the Bible?

ANSWER:

No, it is not.

Thank you for your question about the subject of “god parents”.  This practice is not supported in the scripture.  Neither the designation nor the terms “godparents”, “godfather”, or “godmother” are used in the Bible. 

This practice, by some religions, is tied to the unbiblical practice of infant baptism.  Notice this description taken from a Church of England web site and an article about baptism.    Reference their web site at:

http://www.aulthucknall.org/Services/about_baptism.htm

---begin quote---

“Godparents

Babies cannot express their own wishes about being baptized, nor can they make the promises to follow Christ that are required at baptism. Each child has the promises made on his or her behalf by parents and godparents (sometimes called sponsors). Adults being baptized can make the promises for themselves and, so, do not need godparents.

“Godparents are friends chosen by the parents to help bring up children in the Christian faith until they can make the promises for themselves at the service of confirmation.

“The Church normally requires at least three godparents: two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex; parents can also be godparents. Godparents should be baptized and confirmed members of the Church.

“Godparents have been chosen in the past for their wealth or their ability to look after the child in the event of the parents' death. Today, the Church is re-emphasizing the spiritual needs of the child and asking parents to choose godparents who can make the required promises with integrity.

“Parents and godparents are reminded of their duties in these words: "The children whom you have brought for baptism depend chiefly on you for the help and encouragement they need. Are you willing to give it to them by your prayers, by your example and by your teaching?"

“What happens at a baptism?

“The central act of the service is always the same. Parents and godparents gather round the font with the baby. The priest or other minister asks them if, on behalf of the baby and of themselves, they turn to Christ, repent of their sins and renounce evil. The parents and godparents are asked if they believe in God the Father who made the world, in God the Son who redeemed mankind and in God the Holy Spirit who gives life to the people of God. They reply: "I believe and trust in him."

“Holding the child, the priest pours water over its forehead. Using its Christian names, the priest declares: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

“Pouring the water (a reminder of those original baptisms in a river) gives the sacrament its name of baptism, from the Greek word for dipping or plunging in water. It symbolizes Christ washing new Christians free from sin and uniting them with his death and resurrection.

“The priest makes the sign of the Cross on the child's forehead to show that it should 'not be afraid to confess the faith of Christ crucified'. Sometimes, a lighted candle is presented to the family to remind them that 'Christ is the light of the world' and that the newly baptized, too, should shine as a light in the world to the glory of God. Sometimes, the specially-blessed oils of Chrism are used to anoint the child.

 

“Declaring that the child has been received into the Church, the priest and congregation then welcome it into membership.

“This is suitably adjusted for adult baptisms. *A Sacrament is the visible expression of a spiritual reality, an outward action which symbolizes the working of God's grace. The other principal sacrament is Holy Communion.”

 

---end of quote---

I found another site for the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.  They are a Roman Catholic Religious Order Dedicated to Making Known the Mystery of the Eucharist.  Their web site is at:

http://www.blessedsacrament.com/

They have a question and answer section at this web site and the question is asked about being a godparent.  Here are their requirements:

“To be chosen as a godparent is a special honor. A godparent testifies to the faith and assists the parents and one to be baptized in the faith. Here are some general guidelines and rules taken from Christian Initiation, General Introduction, and the official praenotanda of the Rite of Christian Initiation.

“A godparent has to be approved by the judgment of the parish priest (pastor) being qualified to carry out the proper liturgical functions.

“Each candidate may have either a godmother or a godfather or both a godmother and a godfather.

“Those designated must have the capability and intention of carrying out the responsibility of a godparent and be mature enough to do so. A person 16 years of age is presumed to have the requisite maturity, but the diocesan bishop may have stipulated another age or the parish priest (pastor) or the minister may decide that there is a legitimate reason for allowing an exception.

“Those designated as godparents must have received the three sacraments of initiation, baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist, and be living a life consistent with faith and with the responsibility of a godparent.

“Those designated as godparents must also be members of the Catholic Church and be canonically free to carry out this office. At the request of parents, a baptized and believing Christian not belonging to the Catholic Church may act as a Christian witness along with a Catholic godparent.  ---end of quote—

Comment:  As you can see, many religions have a desire and/or requirement that the intended godparent be committed to the same religion the baby, child, or adult is being baptized into or by.

Notice now the requirements of a godparent taken from the same web site referenced above:

“To be chosen as a godparent is a special honor. You, above all others, have been entrusted with a special responsibility: participating in the child's Christian life, formation and education.

“This privilege offers you an opportunity to develop a mutually enriching spiritual relationship...one that hopefully will last through your life time.

“There are special things that I'm sure the parish will tell you about in some classes or the day of the baptism [and its rehearsal]. Each parish does unique things for the ritual, such as dressing the child, holding a candle, being responsible in getting the certificate to the parents, etc. Other things that you can do are:

“Celebrate the anniversary of this holy day of holy baptism each year with a visit, call, email, or card or all of the above! Also, remember the actual birthday each year. Other visits from the godparent through the year can be special (like going to an amusement park, a special mass or holy day event, etc.).

“As your godchild grows, it can be very helpful for you to share in the struggles and triumphs of living the Christian life by keeping yourself informed and updated on the Catholic faith, its doctrine, values, and the bishops teaching, you can be a resource person for the godchild.

“Encourage a consistent life of faith through special letters, gifts or holy events, like Christmas, Easter, anniversaries, and also by remembering their graduation, confirmation, first communion, first penance, first job, car, engagement and other events. Sharing a Christian gift [such as a bible, rosary or other religious articles, writing a letter for a retreat, or helping them pay to go on a retreat] are very meaningful and demonstrate your importance in their developing faith.

“Being supportive to the godchild's parents is especially important. They are the primary religious educators of their child. Your support of this means a lot!

“Encouraging and being supportive of the godchild's religious education is also important by being a model of Christian daily prayer, active participation in the parish, by attending liturgy, etc.

“You are a partner in your godchild's life! The church requires you to be a faithful witness and model of the Christian faith and fully initiated in the sacraments yourself.”  ---end of quote

As you can see here, this is a heavy responsibility and you will have to discuss with your friend exactly what would be expected of you.  You are the one being asked to make a commitment. If infant baptism is involved here you are going to have to make a decision about what you have proven about infant baptism from the word of God and whether you would give a blessing to such a practice by being present.

Now it is possible, in your specific case, the parents are just using the terminology “godparents” and just desire that you be there for the child should something happen to them.  If this is the case and no religious requirements are involved, then you might consider accepting the honor but decline to use the term “godparents” as it may be taken wrong by those that hold to the beliefs and requirements above and a stumbling block to those within your own congregation that also know the information I have presented here.