BAPTISM

Brothers and sisters in Christ:

Through the Sacrament of Baptism

we are initiated into Christ's holy church.

We are incorporated into God's mighty acts of salvation

and given new birth through water and the Spirit.

All this is God's gift, offered to us without price.

( Parents and/or youth and adults are asked these questions ):

On behalf of the whole church, I ask you:

Do you believe in God and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?

I do.

Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,

reject the evil powers of this world,

and repent of your sin?

I do.

Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you

to resist evil, injustice, and oppression

in whatever forms they present themselves?

I do.

Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,

put your whole trust in his grace,

and promise to serve him as your Lord,

in union with the church which Christ has opened

to people of all ages, nations, and races?

I do.

According to the grace given you, will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy church and serve as Christ's representatives in the world?

I will.

( Only parents are asked this question ):

Will you nurture these children (persons)

in Christ's holy church,

that by your teaching and example they may be guided

to accept God's grace for themselves,

to profess their faith openly,

and to lead a Christian life?

I will.

The pastor addresses the congregation:

Do you, as Christ's body, the church,

reaffirm both your rejection of sin

and your commitment to Christ?

We do.

Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons now before you in your care?

With God's help we will proclaim the good news

and live according to the example of Christ.

We will surround these persons

with a community of love and forgiveness,

that they may grow in their service to others.

We will pray for them

that they may be true disciples

who walk in the way that leads to life.

(FOR INFANT BAPTISM)

BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONGREGATION:

As a symbol of this congregation's commitment to fulfill the vows we have just made, we give this Bible to you for this child.

PASTOR:

“Little child, for you Jesus Christ came.

For you he struggled, for you he suffered;

for you he endured the darkness of Calvary ;

for you he triumphed over death. For you.

And you little child know nothing of all this,

but this we do affirming the word of the Apostle:

“We love God because God first loved us.”

Let us pray:

O eternal God:

Pour out your Holy Spirit

to bless this gift of water and those who receive it.

Throughout their lives

wash away their sin

and clothe them in righteousness,

that, dying and being raised in Christ,

they may share in his final victory. Amen.

( Pastor takes the child. )

What name is given this child?

Name , I baptize you in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Our congregation's promise to pray for ________ and his/her family

begins today.

(by LAY PERSON)

Let us pray.

O God, our heavenly Father, grant that name , as he/she grows in years, may also grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that by the restraining and renewing influence of the Holy Spirit he/she may ever be a true child of yours, serving you faithfully all his/her days. So guide and uphold the parents of this child that, by loving care, wise counsel, and holy example, they may lead him into that life of faith whose strength is righteousness and whose fruit is everlasting joy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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(For ADULT or YOUTH BAPTISM)

Let us pray:

O eternal God:

Pour out your Holy Spirit

to bless this gift of water and those who receive it.

Throughout their lives

wash away their sin

and clothe them in righteousness,

that, dying and being raised in Christ,

they may share in his final victory. Amen.

_________, I baptize you

in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Lord defend you with his heavenly grace

and by his spirit confirm you in the faith and fellowship

of all true disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen.

(For Adults/youth go to membership vows. )

From a French Calvinist infant baptism liturgy, quoted by William Sloan Coffin in a sermon.