 Baptism
At
baptism we come together to give thanks to God for His gift
of new life and to pray for those who set out on their journey
of faith. Jesus Himself commanded His followers to go and
baptise women and men in the name of God (Gospel
of Saint Matthew, 28.19-20). The word 'baptism' comes from the Greek
and means 'to immerse in water' or 'to plunge into water'.
Sometimes people speak of a 'Christening' because all who
are baptised share in a new life: the life of Christ.
To
share in the life of Christ means to reject those things
that are evil, or sinful. Before their baptism, the candidates
(or, in the case of small children, their parents and godparents)
declare their rejection of evil and their allegiance to Christ.
They are then taken to the font, where they are marked with
the sign of the cross and baptised with water in the name
of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In baptism Christ
receives us as His child (Letter to the Romans,
8.15-17),
forgives us our sins and grants us the gift of His Holy Spirit
(Acts of the Apostles, 2.38).
At
Saint Mary's children (and adults) are normally baptised
during our main Sunday service.
In preparation for this a member
of the clergy will visit candidates to explain the meaning
of baptism. If you would like to request a baptism at Saint
Mary's, you can either fill
in a form online or print
a form and return
it to the Team Vicar. If you would like to find out more, click
here.
- Online
Form for Baptism Service request
- Printable
Form for Baptism Service request
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Saint Paul writes:
‘You
did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall
back into fear, but you have received
a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba!
Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing
witness with our spirit that we are children
of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of
God and joint heirs with Christ.’ (Close)
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Saint Peter said:
‘Repent,
and be baptised every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ, so that your
sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit.’ (Close)
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Jesus said:
‘Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptising them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching
them to obey everything that I have commanded
you. And remember, I am with you always, to the
end of the age.’ (Close)
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- Further
Information about the Baptism Service
and Prayers for a new-born child
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Jesus said:
‘Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptising them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching
them to obey everything that I have commanded
you. And remember, I am with you always, to the
end of the age.’ (Close)
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