Baptism

(Let every adult person, and the parents of every child to be baptized, have the choice of either sprinkling, pouring, or immersion.]

We will on no account whatever make a charge for administering Baptism.]

Order for the Administration of Baptism to Infants

The Minister, coming to the Font, which is to be filled with pure Water, shall use the following:

DEARLY BELOVED, forasmuch as God in his great mercy hath entered into covenant relation with man, wherein he hath included children as partakers of its gracious benefits; and our Lord Jesus Christ saith: Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that having, of his bounteous mercy, redeemed this child by the blood of his Son, he will grant that he, being baptized with water, may also be baptized with the Holy Spirit, be received into Christ's holy Church, and become a lively Member of the same.

Then shall the Minister say:

Let us pray. Almighty and Everlasting God, who by thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ gavest commandment to go into all the world and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; we beseech thee, that of thine infinite mercy thou wilt look upon this child: that he, being saved by thy grace, and received into Christ's holy Church, may be steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, and may so overcome all evil that finally he may reign with thee, world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Minister address the Parents or other Sponsors as followeth:

Dearly Beloved, forasmuch as this child is now presented by you for Christian Baptism, and is thus consecrated to God and to his Church, it is your part and duty to see that he be taught, as

soon as he shall be able to learn, the nature and end of this Holy Sacrament; that he shall read the Holy Scriptures and learn the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed and the Catechism; and that he be instructed in the principles of our Holy Faith and the nature of the Christian life. And ye shall call upon him to give reverent attendance upon the appointed means of grace, such as the ministry of the Word, and the public and private worship of God; and that in every way, by precept and example, ye shall seek to lead him into the love of God and the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you therefore solemnly engage to fulfill these duties, so far as in you lies, the Lord being your helper?

Answer. We do.

Then shall the People stand up, and the Minister shall say:

Hear the words of the Gospel, written

by St. Mark. [Chap. 10. 13-16.] And they were bringing unto him little children, that he should touch them: and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein. And he took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.

Then the Minister may take the Child in his arms, and say to the Parents or other Sponsors:

What name shall be given to this child? And then, naming it after them, he shall baptize it, saying:

N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then shall the Minister offer the following Prayer, the People kneeling: O God of infinite mercy, be pleased to grant unto this child an understanding

mind and a sanctified heart. May thy providence lead him through the dangers, temptations, and ignorance of his youth, that he may never run into folly, nor into the evils of an unbridled appetite. We pray thee so to order the course of his life that, by good education, by holy examples, and by thy restraining and renewing grace, he may be led to serve thee faithfully all his days, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and Most Merciful Father, grant unto these, thy servants, the parents [sponsors] of this child, thy Holy Spirit, that they may command their household to keep the way of the Lord; that their whole family may be united to our Lord Jesus Christ in the bands of faith, obedience, and charity; and that they all, being in this life thy holy children, may be admitted into the Church of the first born in heaven, through the merits of thy Son, our Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

Then may the Minister offer extemporary Prayer.

Then shall be said by the Minister and

People, all kneeling:

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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Order for the Administration of Baptism to such as are of Riper Years

The Minister, addressing the Congregation, shall say:

DEARLY BELOVED, forasmuch as all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and our Saviour Christ saith except a man be born anew he cannot see the kingdom of God, and also gave commandment saying: Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous goodness he will grant to these persons that which

Almighty and Everliving God, the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succor, the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead: we call upon thee for these persons, that they, coming to thy Holy Baptism, may also be filled with the Holy Spirit. Receive them, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. So give now unto us that ask; let us that seek, find; open the gate unto us that knock; that these persons may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then may the Minister read the following Lesson:

And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. [Acts 2. 38-42.]

Or this

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came unto him by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus an

swered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew. The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. [John 3. 1-8.]

Then shall the Minister speak to the Persons to be baptized on this wise:

Well Beloved, who have come hither desiring to receive Holy Baptism, you have heard how the Congregation hath prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive you, to bless you, and to give you the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. And our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his Holy Word to grant all those things that we have prayed for: which promise he for his part will most surely keep and perform.

Wherefore, after this promise made by Christ, you must also faithfully, for your part, promise in the presence of this whole Congregation, that you will renounce the devil and all his works, and constantly believe God's Holy Word, and obediently keep his commandments.

THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT Then shall the Minister demand of each of the Persons to be baptized: Dost thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them?

Answer. I renounce them all.

Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten

1 The one universal Church of Christ.

Son our Lord; and that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he rose the third day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead?

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic' Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and everlasting life after death?

Answer. All this I steadfastly believe.
Wilt thou be baptized in this faith?
Answer. Such is my desire.

Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life?

Answer. I will endeavor so to do, God being my helper.

Then shall the Minister say:

O Merciful God, grant that all sinful affections may die in these persons, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in them. Amen.

Grant that they, being here dedicated to thee in holy baptism, may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live, and govern all things, world without end. Amen.

Almighty, Everliving God, regard, we beseech thee, our supplications; and grant that the persons now to be baptized may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and beloved children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then the Minister, asking the name of each Person, shall baptize him, saying: N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then shall be said by the Minister and People, all kneeling:

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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Then may the Minister conclude with extemporary Prayer.

Reception of Members Form for Receiving Persons into the Church as Preparatory Members [The use of this form is discretionary with the minister.]

Those who are to be received into the Church as Preparatory Members may be called forward by name, and the Minister, addressing the Congregation, shall say:

Dearly Beloved Brethren, that none may be admitted hastily into the Church, we receive persons who seek fellowship with us on profession of faith into a preparatory membership; in which proof may be made, both to themselves and to the Church, of the sincerity and depth of their convictions and of the strength of their purpose to lead a new life.

The persons here present desire to be so admitted. You will hear their answers to the questions put to them, and if you make no objection they will be received.

It is needful, however, that you be reminded of your own responsibility, as having previously entered this holy fellowship and now representing the Church into which they seek admission. Inasmuch as they should find in you holy examples of life and loving help in the true serving of their Lord and ours, I beseech you so to order your own lives that these new disciples may take no detriment from you, but that it may ever be to them a cause for thanksgiving to God that they were led into this fellowship.

Then, addressing the Persons seeking Admission as Preparatory Members,

the Minister shall say:

Dearly Beloved, you have, by the grace of God, made your decision to follow Christ and to serve him. Your confidence in so doing is not to be based on any notion of fitness or worthiness in

yourselves, but on the gracious promise of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. That the Church may know your purpose, you will answer the following questions:

Have you an earnest desire to be saved from your sins?

Answer. I have.

Will you guard against all things contrary to the teaching of God's Word, and endeavor to lead a holy life, following the commandments of God?

Answer. I will endeavor so to do.

Will you give reverent attendance upon the appointed means of grace in the ministry of the Word, and in the private and public worship of God?

Answer. With the help of God, I will. The Minister shall then welcome the Candidates as Preparatory Members, and may assign them to classes.

Then may the Minister offer extemporary Prayer.

Form for Receiving Persons into the Church from Preparatory Membership after Required Instruction Has Been Given

On the day appointed, all that are to be received into the Church shall be called forward, and the Minister, addressing the Congregation, shall say:

DEARLY BELOVED, the Scriptures teach us that the Church is the household of God, the body of which Christ is the head; and that it is the design of the gospel to bring together in one all who are in Christ. The end of this fellowship is the salvation of men and the establishment of the kingdom of God upon earth. As helps thereto the Church is charged with the maintenance of sound doctrine and of the ordinances of Christian worship, and with the exercise of that power of godly admonition and discipline which Christ has committed to her for the promotion of holiness. The duties of those united in this fellowship are to continue steadfast in the faith and practice of the gospel; to promote the peace and unity of the Church; to labor for the spread of love and righteousness; and by word and deed to bring others into the fold of Jesus Christ.