Order for Baptism

Below are the orders for baptism usually used during the worship service.

for children    for youth and adults

When baptizing infants and children:

WELCOME

Pastor: They were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant, and said to them,

People: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the realm of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the realm of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Pastor: And Jesus took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.

ADDRESS

Pastor: Jesus said, Unless we are born anew, we cannot see the reign of God; unless we are born of water and the spirit, we cannot enter God’s new order. Paul the Apostle said: All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into Christ’s death. We were buried therefore with Christ by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead, to the glory of God, we too might walk in newness of life.

The sacrament of baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of God. Inasmuch as the promise of the gospel is not only to us but also to our children, baptism with water and the Holy Spirit is the mark of their acceptance into the care of Christ’s church, the sign and seal of their participation in God’s forgiveness, and the beginning of their growth into full Christian faith and discipleship.

QUESTIONS

Pastor:  Do you desire to have your child baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?

Parents: We do.

Pastor: Will you encourage this child to renounce the powers of evil and to receive the freedom of new life in Christ?

Parents and Sponsors: We will, with the help of God.

Pastor: Will you teach this child that HE/SHE may be led to profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

Parents and Sponsors: We will, with the help of God.

Pastor: Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciples, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?

Parents and Sponsors: We do, with the help of God.

Pastor: Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow with this child in the Christian faith, to help this child to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, by celebrating Christ’s presence, by furthering Christ’s mission in all the world, and by offering the nurture of the Christian church so that SHE/HE may affirm HER/HIS baptism?

Parents and Sponsors: We do, with the help of God.

CONGREGATIONAL ASSENT

Pastor: Jesus Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations and to offer them the gift of grace in baptism. Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love, support, and care to the one about to be baptized, as HE/SHE lives and grows in Christ?

People: We promise our love, support, and care.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Apostles Creed

All: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 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.

PRAYER OF BAPTISM

Pastor: Let us pray. We thank you, God, for the gift of creation, the gift of life and your presence with us. Gracious God, bless by your Holy Spirit this water. By your Holy Spirit save those who confess the name of Jesus Christ that sin may have no power over them. Create new life in the one baptized this day that SHE/HE may rise in Christ. Glory to you, eternal God, the one who was, and is, and shall always be, world without end. Amen.

ACT OF BAPTISM

Pastor: NAME, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God, mother of us all.

Child of God, you have been marked by the sign of the cross and the kiss of peace. May God bless you and keep you, today and all the days of your life.

PRAYER FOR THE BAPTIZED

Pastor: Let us pray for the one baptized today. Gracious God, you have filled the world with joy by giving us the gift of Jesus. Bless this newly baptized person. May SHE/HE be filled with joy; may HE/SHE never be ashamed to confess a personal faith in you. Bless the parents and sponsors of this child. May they always show their gratitude for the life you have given by loving and caring for NAME. Bless these your faithful people. Unite them in the peace of Christ and the company of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

INTRODUCTION OF THE NEWLY BAPTIZED

BENEDICTION

Pastor: Go in the peace of Christ.

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When baptizing youth and adults:

INVITATION

WELCOME

Pastor: Members and friends in Christ, we gather now to celebrate the gift of grace in the sacrament of baptism.

People: There is one body and one Spirit. There is one hope in God's call to us.

Pastor: There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Creator of us all.

ADDRESS

Pastor: Jesus said, Unless we are born anew, we cannot see the reign of God; unless we are born of water and the spirit, we cannot enter God’s new order. Paul the Apostle said: All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into Christ’s death. We were buried therefore with Christ by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead, to the glory of God, we too might walk in newness of life.

Baptism is the sacrament through which we are united to Jesus Christ and given part in Christ's ministry of reconciliation. Baptism is the visible sign of an invisible event: the reconciliation of people to God. In baptism, God works in us the power of forgiveness, the renewal of the Spirit, and the knowledge of the call to be God's people always.

QUESTIONS

Pastor:  Do you desire to be baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?

Candidate: I do.

Pastor: Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?

Candidate: I do.

Pastor: Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

Candidate: I do.

Pastor: Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?

Candidate: I promise, with the help of God.

Pastor: Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in the Christian faith and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ,  celebrating Christ’s presence and furthering Christ’s mission in all the world?

Candidate: I promise, with the help of God.

CONGREGATIONAL ASSENT

Pastor: Jesus Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations and to offer them the gift of grace in baptism. Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love, support, and care to the one about to be baptized, as HE/SHE lives and grows in Christ?

People: We promise our love, support, and care.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Apostles Creed

All: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 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.

PRAYER OF BAPTISM

Pastor: Let us pray. We thank you, God, for the gift of creation, the gift of life and your presence with us. Gracious God, bless by your Holy Spirit this water. By your Holy Spirit save those who confess the name of Jesus Christ that sin may have no power over them. Create new life in the one baptized this day that SHE/HE may rise in Christ. Glory to you, eternal God, the one who was, and is, and shall always be, world without end. Amen.

ACT OF BAPTISM

Pastor: NAME, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God, mother of us all.

Child of God, you have been marked by the sign of the cross and the kiss of peace. May God bless you and keep you, today and all the days of your life.

PRAYER FOR THE BAPTIZED

Pastor: Let us pray for the one baptized today. Gracious God, you have filled the world with joy by giving us the gift of Jesus. Bless this newly baptized person. May SHE/HE be filled with joy; may HE/SHE never be ashamed to confess a personal faith in you. Bless these your faithful people. Unite them in the peace of Christ and the company of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

INTRODUCTION OF THE NEWLY BAPTIZED

BENEDICTION

Pastor: Go in the peace of Christ.