|
1 |
THE
INTRODUCTION
|
| |
The minister reads this introduction:
|
| |
The Lord Jesus Christ said: All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded
you. Matthew 28: 18-20
|
| |
Since the time of Abraham God's people have been given a sign of
admission to his covenant by means of which God reassures his children
that he is their God and they his people. In the New Testament baptism
replaced circumcision as the sign, but the covenant itself remains
the same. Those who believe God's promise and trust in Christ alone
for salvation, are made the spiritual heirs of Abraham and the children
of God.
|
| |
Baptism signifies that, as water washes away dirt, so Christ's blood
washes away sin. This blessing of cleansing from sin, along with new
birth by the Holy Spirit, union with Christ, and renewed spiritual life
are promised to believers and their children, as Peter made clear when
he said: The promise is for you and your children, and for all who
are afar off - for all whom the Lord our God will call. Acts 2: 39
|
| |
We read in the Gospels of the love Christ has for the children of
the covenant and of his readiness to bless them. The Lord Jesus Christ
is always the same. His promises are sure. But because we are all conceived
and born with sinful natures, and our Saviour Christ says: No one can
enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Holy Spirit
(John 3: 5), I urge you to call upon God the Father in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ that, by his infinite mercy he will give to this
child what by nature he cannot have, namely, that he may be baptized
with water and the Holy Spirit, received into Christ's holy church,
and made an active member of the same. |
2 |
|
| All |
Almighty and everlasting God,
we ask you to have mercy on this child.
Fill him with the Holy Spirit,
give to him a knowledge of the forgiveness of sin,
deliver him from your wrath,
and grant that he may grow in the fear and
knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen. |
3 |
THE DUTIES
OF PARENTS AND GODPARENTS
|
| |
The minister invites the parent(s) and godparents to stand and says:
|
| |
The child you have brought to baptism depends chiefly on you for the
help and encouragement he needs. I ask therefore:
|
| |
Are you yourself a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, a member
of his church and one who sincerely believes the promises of God? |
| Answer |
I am. |
| Minister |
It is your duty to provide at every stage of this child's growth instruction
in Christian doctrine. Especially you must teach him to trust in Christ
alone as the only way to forgiveness and salvation. Are you willing to
sponsor this child, to accept responsibility for his Christian upbringing
and to pray for him regularly? |
| Answer |
I am willing. |
4 |
THE DECLARATION
OF REPENTANCE, FAITH, AND OBEDIENCE |
| |
The minister addresses the parent(s) and godparents:
|
| Minister |
This child is too young
to profess repentance, faith, and obedience for himself. I therefore
ask you to answer these questions on his behalf until he is old enough
to speak for himself.
|
| |
|
| |
Do you renounce the devil and all his works, the empty show and false
values of the world, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that you
will not follow nor be led by them? |
| Answer |
I renounce them all. |
| |
Do you believe and trust in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven
and earth, who loved the world so much that he sent his Son to die for
us?
Do you believe and trust in his only Son Jesus Christ, who was crucified for
our sins, rose from the dead, and is the only way of salvation?
Do you believe and trust in his Holy Spirit, who enables us to receive God's
word, repent, and believe the Gospel?
|
| Answer |
I believe and trust in the one true God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
|
| Minister |
Will you keep God's holy will and commandments all the days of your
life? |
| Answer |
I will, with the help of God. |
5 |
|
| All |
O Lord our heavenly Father,
we thank you that by your infinite love and mercy,
you have made a covenant with us in your dear Son,
the Lord Jesus Christ,
in which you have promised that you will be our God,
and we shall be your children.
Grant that this child
may know you as his heavenly Father,
and enter your kingdom through faith in your beloved Son.
Grant him power, strength and victory in Christ
over the world, the flesh, and the devil;
and, give him all spiritual blessings and grace
that he may ever live to your praise and glory,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
6 |
THE BAPTISM
|
| |
The minister baptizes the child with water, first saying to the parent(s)
and godparents:
|
| |
Name this child. |
| |
N, I baptize you in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
7 |
THE CHARGE
|
All |
We receive you into Christ's congregation,
and sign him with the sign of the cross.
We pray that he will not be ashamed
to confess the faith of Christ crucified.
Fight bravely under his banner
against sin, the world, and the devil;
and continue Christ's faithful soldier
and servant to the end of your life. Amen. |
| either |
or |
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. |
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today
our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
now and for ever. Amen. |
9 |
All join in
praying for the parent(s) and godparents:
|
| |
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we pray for the parent(s) and godparents of this child.
Give to them spiritual wisdom and grace
that they may keep the vows which they have made
and bring up this child
in the fear and nurture of the Lord.
And grant that at the last they may receive
the eternal joys of heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
10 |
The minister
addresses the parent(s) and godparents:
|
| |
It is your duty as parent(s) and godparents to see that N is taught,
as soon as he is able to learn, the promises you have made in his name.
And it is your responsibility to ensure that he is taught the Christian
faith and what it means to trust in Christ. You must encourage him to lead
a godly, Christian life and to follow the example of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. And you are ensure that, when old enough, he publicly confirms
his baptismal promises. |
11 |
The minister
may conclude with the GRACE:
|
| |
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen. |
|
