Baptism
Infant Baptism.
Baptism is a sign Jesus gave His Church to perform, a picture of the cleansing from sin and new life experienced by someone who puts their trust in Him. For a grown up, baptism symbolises something that they profess has already happened. For infants it symbolises something we pray will happen in the future. Thus parents are asked to profess their faith and promise to give their children a distinctive Christian upbringing. The congregation are asked to affirm that we will do all we can to support and encourage families in this serious commitment.
During the Baptism Service parents will be asked:
- In presenting this child for baptism do you profess your faith in God as your Creator and Father, Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, and the Holy Spirit as your Helper and Guide?
Answer: We do.
- Will you, with God’s help, provide a Christian home and bring up your children in the worship and teaching of the Church so that your children may come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord?
Answer: We will.
The congregation will be asked:
Do we, who now in Jesus’ name welcome this child into the outward fellowship of the Church, promise, with God’s help, to so order our congregation’s life and witness that they may grow up in the knowledge and love of God and be continually surrounded by Christian example?
Answer: We do.