The Liturgy of Baptism

INTRODUCTION

THE COLLECT
Heavenly Father,

by the power of your Holy Spirit

you give to your faithful people new life
in the water of baptism.

Guide and strengthen us by the same Spirit,
that we who are born again

may serve you in faith and love,

and grow into the full stature

of your Son, Jesus Christ,

who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen.

PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES

The minister addresses the whole congregation

Faith is the gift of God to his people. In baptism the
Lord is adding to our number those whom he is
calling. People of God, will you welcome these
children and uphold them in their new life in Christ?

All:       With the help of God, we will.

The minister then seyo to the parents and
godparents

Parents and godparents, the Church receives these
children with joy. Today we are trusting God for their
growth in faith. Will you pray for them, draw them by
your example into the community of faith and walk
with them in the way of Christ?

With the help of God, we will.

In baptism these children begin their journey in faith.
You speak for them today. Will you care for them,
and help them to take their place within the life and
worship of Christ's Church?

With the help of God, we will.

THE DECISION

The minister addresses the candidates through their
parents, godparents and sponsors

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness
into his marvellous light.

To follow Christ means dying to sin

and rising to new life with him. Therefore I ask:

Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.

Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God
and neighbour?

I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.

Do you come to Christ, the way,
the truth and the life?

I come to Christ.

 

SIGNING WITH THE CROSS

The minister makes the sign of the cross on the
forehead of each candidate, saying

Christ claims you for his own.
Receive the sign of his cross.

The minister invites parents and godparents to sign
the candidates with the cross.

Do not be ashamed to confess
the faith of Christ crucified.

All:       Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ
against sin, the world and the devil,
and remain faithful to Christ

to the end of your life.

May almighty God deliver you from the powers of
darkness, restore in you the image of his glory,
and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ.
Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE WATER

The minister stands before the water of baptism and
says

Praise God who made heaven and earth,

All:       who keeps his promise for ever.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All:       It is right to give him thanks and praise.

We thank you, almighty God, for the gift of water
to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life.

Over water the Holy Spirit moved

in the beginning of creation.

Through water you led the children of Israel from
slavery in Egypt to freedom in the promised land.

In water your Son Jesus received the baptism of
John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the
Messiah, the Christ, to lead us from the death of sin
to newness of life.

We thank you, Father, for the water of baptism.
In it we are buried with Christ in his death.

By it we share in his resurrection.

Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, in joyful obedience to your Son,

we baptize into his fellowship those who come to him
in faith.

Now sanctify this water that, by the power of your
Holy Spirit, they may be cleansed from sin and born
again. Renewed in your image, may they walk by
the light of faith and continue for ever in the risen life
of Jesus Christ our Lord;

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit

be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

 

PROFESSION OF FAITH

The minister addresses the congregation:

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess together
with these candidates the faith of the Church.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?

             All:      I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?

             All:      I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the
Father, and he will come to judge the
living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?

            All:       I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

BAPTISM

The minister pours water on the candidates, saying

N, I baptize you

in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The minister then says

May God, who has received you by baptism

into his Church, pour upon you the riches of his
grace, that within the company of Christ's pilgrim
people you may daily be renewed by his anointing
Spirit, and come to the inheritance of the saints in
glory. Amen.

THE WELCOME

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism:

N and N, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one
body

            All:       We welcome you into the fellowship of
faith; we are children of the same
heavenly Father; we welcome you.

 

COMMISSION

A minister addresses the congregation, parents and
qodparents

We have brought these children to baptism knowing
that Jesus died and rose ?gain for them and trusting

in the promise that God hears and answers prayer.
We have prayed that in Jesus Christ they will know
the forgiveness of their sins and the new life of the
Spirit.

As they grow up, they will need the help and
encouragement of the Christian community, so that
they may learn to know God in public worship and
private prayer, follow Jesus Christ in the life of faith,
serve their neighbour after the example of Christ, and
in due course come to confirmation.

As part of the Church of Christ, we all have a duty to
support them by prayer, example and teaching. As
their parents and godparents, you have the prime
responsibility for guiding and helping them in their
early years. This is a demanding task for which you
will need the help and grace of God. Therefore let us
now pray for grace in guiding these children in the
way of faith.

Faithful and loving God,

bless those who care for these children

and grant them your gifts of love, wisdom and faith.
Pour upon them your healing and reconciling love,
and protect their home from all evil.

Fill them with the light of your presence

and establish them in the joy of your kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

GIVING OF A LIGHTED CANDLE

The minister gives each of the newly baptized a
lighted candle.

God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness
and has given us a place with the saints in light.

You have received the light of Christ;

walk in this light all the days of your life.

All:       Shine as a light in the world
to the glory of God the Father.

THE BLESSING

THE DISMISSAL

Go in the light and peace of Christ.

All:       Thanks be to God.