(fixed for the sake of
consistency)
[Our form for baptism or
confirmation uses the Apostles’ Creed, baptismal commitments and exhortation
used in Anglican services and that have developed from those used throughout
history. This is to maintain the sense of baptism bringing the individual into
the historic and worldwide church.]
Some explanation of baptism and/or
confirmation is given.
The Declarations
The leader addresses each
candidate.
N do you wish to be baptised/confirmed? I do.
The candidates may say a few
words of testimony.
To all being baptised or
confirmed the leader says:
Baptism signifies being united with Christ in
his death and resurrection, so that we die to sin and live a new life (Rom 6v4,
Col 2v11-13).
Therefore I ask:
Do you reject
the devil and all rebellion against God which
is to turn from all that scripture testifies is contrary to his will? I do.
Do you call
on Christ as Saviour which is to ask him to
fully forgive your sin acknowledging you could never deserve his favour? I do.
Do you submit
to Christ as Lord which is to conform your mind,
heart, will and life to his teaching whatever the cost? I do.
Addressing those present
the leader will continue along the following lines:
Most simply, baptism is the
sign of God’s covenant with us in Christ, in which he promises to be our God
and have us as his people. Like a certificate of citizenship it marks out those
who belong to his kingdom with all the rights and responsibilities that entails
(1 Pet 3v21, Acts 2v38-39). It signifies coming to know and serve God as
Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt 28v19-20), being counted righteous by him
(Rom 4v11), being forgiven our sin through Christ’s death, being made alive by
the Holy Spirit in anticipation of the resurrection to come (Col 2v12-13), and
being included as members of the body of Christ, which is the church (1 Cor
12v13). In signifying these things, baptism guarantees them to all who own and
maintain a repentant faith in Christ and the apostolic gospel. So as we witness
this baptism and confirmation today, let’s be reminded of these things,
committing or recommitting ourselves to Christ, to the new life he calls us to,
and to raising our children to do the same.
Addressing those being
baptised or confirmed, he says:
Together with all here who follow Christ, I ask
you to affirm the one faith into which we are baptised and in which we pray you
will grow:
Do you believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth?
I do.
Do you 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; who descended to the dead; and on the third day rose
again; who ascended into heaven; is seated at the right hand of the Father, and
who will come again to judge the living and the dead?
I do.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy
universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting?
I do.
The candidates move to the
water.
An explanation of the
significance of the water is given.
A prayer is said that what is
signified would be a reality along the following lines:
Almighty and eternal God, in
your mercy you saved Noah and his family through waters of judgment, and safely
led the children of Israel to a new life through the waters of the Red Sea. This
all symbolized baptism, for by the baptism of your Son, Jesus Christ you set
water apart, sanctifying it to represent the spiritual washing away of sin and
the new life of your Spirit.
So look in mercy on N who is to be baptized in this water and N who will confirm their/his/her baptismal vows; that having been united with Christ they would continue to be washed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, receiving the forgiveness of sins and the blessings of new birth. And grant that having been delivered from your great anger at sin, and adopted as your children, they/he/she may remain within the ark of Christ's church; and being steadfast in faith, may so pass through the waters of this troubled world that they/he/she finally come/s to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
So look in mercy on N who is to be baptized in this water and N who will confirm their/his/her baptismal vows; that having been united with Christ they would continue to be washed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, receiving the forgiveness of sins and the blessings of new birth. And grant that having been delivered from your great anger at sin, and adopted as your children, they/he/she may remain within the ark of Christ's church; and being steadfast in faith, may so pass through the waters of this troubled world that they/he/she finally come/s to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Based on a prayer from the
BCP)
The Confirmation
A prayer with the laying on of
hands is said for each person who is confirming their baptismal vows, thanking
God for his grace and praying for their growth in knowledge, faith, godliness
and service.
The Baptism
Those being baptised are
baptised with the words:
N, I baptise you in the name of The Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
A prayer with the laying on of
hands is said for each baptised person, thanking God for his grace and praying
for their growth in knowledge, faith, godliness and service.
The exhortation
An exhortation is given to all
who have confirmed their baptismal vows or been baptised:
N, do not be
ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, but 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.
The baptism/confirmation is
celebrated.