|
|
Baptism
What is Christian Baptism?
Baptism is a sign of God’s love, and together with the Eucharist
was given to the Church by Jesus himself. Jesus was baptised in
the River Jordan by John the Baptist, and he spoke about the need
for us to be born again in order to enter into life with God. Baptism
is about being born again into God’s family, the Church.
A Lifelong Journey
Baptism is how we enter Church membership, and is the beginning
of our Christian journey, our new life in Christ. Parents and Godparents,
of children being baptised, make promises to encourage and guide
the children so that they may grow in their understanding of the
Christian faith. It is the Church’s hope that when the child becomes
an adult, he/she will be able to reaffirm that faith in Confirmation.
Baptism and Confirmation are linked; therefore adults are Baptised
and Confirmed during the one service.
The Service:
There are four main symbols used during the service:
- The Sign of the Cross is made on the forehead in oil to show
a belonging to Christ, and the link made with Christ forever.
- The threefold ‘washing’ in the water of baptism in the
name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as a sign of new life in the
Risen Lord and of the cleansing of the past.
- Anointing with olive oil blessed by the bishop, reminding us
of the wider Church to which we now belong, and of the special
calling of our Christian vocation.
- The baptismal candle reminding us of the light of Christ, and
that Christians go out in that light, seeking the light and life
of the Risen Lord.
Entry into God’s Kingdom
In the Bible, Jesus says that believers enter the Kingdom of God.
God’s Kingdom is not only the place we hope to enter on death, but
encompasses our life on earth too. At our Baptism we enter God’s
eternal Kingdom, and it is important that Christians nurture their
relationship with God through prayer and worship with other Christians,
and a life which puts God at the centre of all that they do. Parents
and Godparents have a special role in teaching the child to pray,
and reminding them of the significance of their baptism. In accompanying
a child on the spiritual journey an adult can be surprised by the
insights that they gain, and it can be the start of a new life for
them too.
The Church’s help
All enquiries about Baptism should be made to the Parish Office, which
organises the service. Families are then visited by a Lay Pastor and later
expected to attend a preparation evening with one of the clergy
in St. Boniface Centre.
To help parents nurture the child’s spiritual journey there is
the Pram Service, the Junior Church, the Holiday Club, and an
annual Thanksgiving for Baptism service. The parish also provides
a weekly course for adult enquirers.
top
|
