To give some idea of how a baptism can be performed properly, the following is an account of a Christian baptism service.
Feel free to use it as a guideline and change it as the Holy Spirit leads.
The Liturgy of Baptism
Presentation of the Candidate
The candidate may be presented to the congregation
The Pastor addresses the whole congregation
.
Faith is the gift of God to his people.
In baptism the Lord is adding to our number those whom he is calling.
People of God, will you welcome this child of God and uphold him/her in his/her new life in Christ?
Reply...All
With the help of God, we will
The Pastor then says to the parents and godparents *if adult candidate...to the congregation...
Parents and godparents, (Body of Christ), the church receives [
name ] with joy. Today we are trusting God for his/her growth in faith. Will you pray for him/her, draw him/her by
example into the community of faith and walk with him in the way of Christ?
Reply (all) ...
With the help of God, we will
In baptism, [
name ] begins his/her journey in
faith.
Will you care for him/her, and help him/her to take his/her
place within the life and worship of Christ.s Church?
Reply (all)...
With the help of God we will
The Decision
The Pastor addresses the candidate as well as their parents and god parents:
In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.
Therefore I ask:
Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
Reply...I reject them
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
Reply...I renounce them
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
Reply...I repent of them
Do you accept Jesus Christ as Saviour?
Reply...I accept Jesus Christ as my Saviour
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
Reply...I submit to Christ as Lord
Do you come to Christ the way the truth and the life?
Reply...I come to Christ in the way the thruth and the life.
The Pastor anoints the candidate with oil...sealing him/her
[
name ] Christ claims you as his own.
The Pastor says
Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.
All
Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ against sin , the world and
the devil, and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.May almighty God deliver you
from the powers of darkness, restore in you the image of his glory, and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ.
In Jesus Name...
Amen
Prayer over Water
The Pastor and staff along with the candidates gather at the baptismal pool, lake, seashore...etc.
Praise God who made heaven and earth...
Who keeps his promise for ever...Give thanks to our glorious Lord, our
God... We give Him
thanks and praise for this day, this hour, this moment.
Profession of Faith
The Pastor addresses the congregation
Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess together with [
name ] the faith of the Church...the Body of Christ.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father Amighty Creator of Heaven and Earth?
Reply...(all)
I do.
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
Reply...(all)
I do.,
Baptism
The Pastor immerses the candidate under the water and brings he/she back up again... saying
[
name ] I baptize you in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Reply (all)
Amen
May God, who has received you by baptism into his church, pour upon you the riches of his grace and glory.
In Jesus Name...
Amen
The Welcome
There is one Lord, one faith and one baptism. We are divinely grafted into the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ
and have become children of the Most High God. As God's loving children, we: Welcome you now,
______________ united By
One Spirit...and baptized into one body.
The congregation retires to welcome and celebrate the candidates in this wonderful event..
