Guidelines
for Holy Baptism at Grace Church
“And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up
from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of
God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my son, the Beloved,
with whom I am well pleased.’”
(Matthew
3:16-17, NRSV)
“Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy
Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The
bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble.”
(The
Book of Common Prayer, p. 298)
THE RITE OF HOLY BAPTISM. Baptism is a powerful and radical act of Christian
initiation, a threshold that is crossed only once during an individual’s
lifetime. The order for Holy
Baptism is found in The Book of Common Prayer beginning on page 299.
During the ceremony water is poured onto the candidate’s head in the
name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The priest or bishop makes the sign of the cross on the
person’s forehead, using oil of Chrism to do so, and says: “You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as
Christ’s own for ever.” The
newly baptized are entitled to participate fully in the sacramental life of the
Church. They may receive Holy
Communion on the occasion of their baptism and should partake of the Lord’s
Supper regularly thereafter.
OCCASIONS FOR BAPTISM. Because Holy Baptism is above all a communal rite in the life
of the church and the parish, Grace Church does not offer private baptisms.
Baptism is normally celebrated during the main Sunday Eucharist.
Although baptisms may be performed at any time during the church year,
certain occasions are particularly appropriate:
the Great Vigil of Easter, the Day of Pentecost in early summer, All
Saints’ Day in November or the Sunday after All Saints’, the feast of the
Baptism of Our Lord in January, and the bishop’s visitation.
PREPARATION FOR BAPTISM. The first step in seeking baptism for oneself or for a child
is to contact the priest. Ample
time should be allowed before the desired date to permit adequate preparation.
Holy Baptism at Grace Church is conditional upon spiritual instruction
and participation in the worship life of the parish. Holy Baptism in its
fullest expression includes a sequence of inquiry,
self-examination, preparation and prayer, supported by the entire parish
community, leading up to the rite of water
baptism and culminating in participation
in the Eucharist.” Every
baptism at Grace Church is normally preceded by a three month period of
Christian formation, comprising regular participation in corporate worship as
well as catechesis, instruction and spiritual training in the faith.
This instruction may be conducted by the priest or by a deacon, and
typically addresses such topics as: Christian
belief about God, Human nature and sin; the Nature of Salvation as revealed in
Holy Scripture; the Implications of Christian Faith for work and other secular
contexts; and the fulfillment of the Baptismal Covenant in the varied ministries
of our everyday lives. For an adult
candidate, catechesis may take the form of an Inquirers’ Class.
In the case of an infant, the parents/guardians and sponsors are expected
to prepare for the child’s baptism through catechesis and regular attendance
at corporate worship. At the end of
the period of catechesis the Rector will determine whether an individual or
family seeking baptism has adequately fulfilled the parish’s expectations for
preparation and participation.
BAPTISM OF OLDER CHILDREN. Older children preparing for baptism are expected to attend
Sunday School at Grace Church for a period of three months, during which time
their parents/guardians and sponsors will participate in catechesis.
Older children will be asked to speak for themselves during the rite.
SPONSORS. Every
candidate for Holy Baptism is presented, or sponsored, by one or more baptized
persons who are active members of a Christian congregation.
There is no limit to the number of sponsors.
In the case of children, parents or guardians are normally included, and
at least one sponsor should be a member of Grace Church parish.
It is appropriate for an adult candidate to be sponsored by someone who
was influential in the decision to pursue baptism.
An adult inquirer may be matched with a parishioner who will serve as a
spiritual mentor during the preparation process and who will be one of the
sponsors. Normally baptismal
sponsors will participate in the entire sequence of catechesis and in the
ceremony. Baptismal sponsors who
are not locally available for instruction are expected to be faithful and
regular worshippers in their home parish.
THE CEREMONY. The
promises demanded of candidates in the rite of Holy Baptism are ancient, echoing
the baptismal ritual of nearly two thousand years ago, when the catechumenate
(preparation period) lasted three years. The
candidates are asked: “Do you
renounce Satan?” “Do you
renounce the evil powers of this world?”
“Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?”
During the service the entire congregation promises to support and
nurture the baptized in their new life in Christ.
All those present reaffirm their own baptismal covenant and welcome the
candidates “into the household of God.”
PHOTOGRAPHS may be taken during the ceremony, but flash
pictures are not allowed. If you
wish to use a video camera, please make arrangements with the priest ahead of
time.
CONTINUING PARTICIPATION. The statement on baptism published by the World Council of
Churches affirms that, “Personal
commitment is necessary for responsible membership in the body of Christ”
(Baptism, Eucharist & Ministry, p. 10).
Having been admitted to full membership in the Church, the baptized are
expected to continue to grow in faith through regular attendance at worship and
participation in parish opportunities for spiritual instruction.
As the Catechism in The Book of Common Prayer reminds us, “The duty of
all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate
worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God” (p.
856). Those who were involved in
the pre-baptismal preparation are expected to continue to meet together
regularly after the baptism, to fulfill their pledge to support the baptized in
their commitment to Christ.