Module 4 - The Service of Baptism

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY

MODULE 4 - THE SACRED RITES 

  THE SERVICE OF BAPTISM

OBJECTIVES; By the end of this module you should; -

*Know about the Baptism of Jesus

*Understand the meaning of Jesus' Baptism

*Be empowered to conduct a Baptism Service

4.1 THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
Jesus Christ was baptised at the hands of John the Baptist in the River Jordan.  Christians take this as a sign to us to also mark the beginning of our growth and ministry as a new Christian in the same way. Great crowds came out to hear John the Baptist preach in the desert near the Jordan River. Many of the people repented their sins, and asked to be baptised.

One day John saw Jesus coming among the people to be baptised. John was reluctant to baptise Jesus, but Jesus insisted. After Jesus’ baptism was completed, the New Testament tells us that a sign became present in the sky. A dove flew down and hovered over Jesus, a symbol of the Holy Spirit of God. And many there heard a Voice Which said, ‘You are My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased,’ (Matthew 3; 17).

4.2 THE MEANING OF THE BAPTISM  OF JESUS
The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus to anoint Him for His mission of saving the world. The Voice of God affirmed that Jesus is His Son Whom He loved, and Whom He was sending to planet earth to be the Messiah and King, the Saviour Who was to offer Himself as a sacrifice on the Cross.

Jesus chose to be baptised to lead the way for all of us, to follow with this great sign of commitment to a path of growth and development as a son or daughter of God. Christians celebrate the memory of the day on which Jesus was baptised on the Sunday after January 6.

4.3 BAPTISM – THE CHRISTIAN RITE
Baptism is a Christian rite where a baby or adult has water poured on the forehead as a symbol of the washing away of sin and the acceptance into a new life with Jesus. Another way to be baptised is for the adult to climb into the water, and having water poured over the forehead.

Baptism is an essential rite to undergo to become a Christian. It marks the beginning of our journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives. It is the first step in response to God’s love. Baptism is a joyful moment when we rejoice in what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. We make serious and heartfelt promises, and declare our faith as believers in God. If we are baptised as a baby, then our parents and godparents – people of faith who pledge to support us in our community lives as believers in God and servant-followers of Jesus – make the promises verbally for us.

Water is a vivid sign of new life, and the symbol of baptism is that we are born again by water and the Holy Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  As a sign of new life, there may be a lighted candle present at the Baptism, which is a picture of the Light of Christ conquering the darkness of evil. All who are baptised in Christ walk in that Light for the rest of their lives.

As priest, we administer the rite of baptism to the new Christian. It is usual in the church to have two sponsors known as godparents to stand as mentors for the new Christian.  For the rite of Baptism, you can look for inspiration in different Ministers’ Handbooks, and choose a rite which is beautiful and meaningful for you. The rite of Baptism usually involves the following;

4.4 THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOR

THE SERVICE OF BAPTISM

SONG OF PRAISE

The congregation may sing a song of praise appropriate for the baptism as an act of worship.

GREETING
As presiding minister, we as priest now greet the people with a blessing and greeting of peace in Jesus’ Name.

Then we remind the congregation (the group of people to whom we minister as priest in Jesus’ Name) that we have gathered together to witness this baptism. We tell the people that Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us that in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must be born again of water and the Spirit. We further tell them that He has given us baptism as the sign and seal of this new birth.

Here we are clothed with Christ, washed with the Holy Spirit, and made clean. We leave sin behind us  in baptism, so that we may live the new life of Jesus in wholeness and Christian love. This is a love of kindness, relationship and service. As children of God, we have a new dignity and are called by God to fullness of life. Then we move on to the next part of the rite.

PENITENCE
The ‘Kyrie’ or ‘Lord have mercy’ is the long used prayer in Christianity for asking God for forgiveness for our sins, and includes the following;

After appropriate prayer, the priest says or sings; ‘Lord, have mercy’.

The congregation responds in word or song with ‘Lord, have mercy’.
The priest then says or sings; ‘Christ, have mercy’.
The congregation responds again in word or song with ‘Christ, have mercy’.
The priest then says or sings, ‘Lord, have mercy’.
The congregation responds again in word or song with ‘Lord, have mercy’.

GLORIA

The Gloria is a universal Christian prayer used as a hymn of praise in honour to God. It was first sung on the occasion of Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem by Angels who appeared to shepherds in the fields in order to tell them the good news of the birth of the Son of God (Luke 2; 9 – 15).

Once the ‘Lord have mercy’ has been said or sung by the congregation, the Gloria is then said or sung.

‘Glory to God in the highest,
And peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, Heavenly King,
Almighty God and Father,
We worship You, we give You thanks,
We praise You for Your Glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
You take away the sin of the world,
Have mercy on us;
You are seated at the Right Hand of the Father;
Receive our prayer.
For You alone are the Holy One,
You alone are the Lord:
You alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
In the Glory of God the Father. Amen.

NOW YOU AS PRIEST PRAY

Let us pray.
God our Heavenly Father,
As you parted the skies at the baptism of Your Beloved Son Jesus
In order to bless us with Your confirmation of His Sonhood;
Bless this your son (or daughter)
With healing grace through the waters of baptism.
Guide him (or her) as he (or she) walks the path of faith.
May he (or she) who is born again
Serve you in faith and love,
And grow into the full stature of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
Who is alive and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
Now and for ever. Amen.

READING THE WORD
Now you as priest read the Word of God from the New Testament.
‘A reading from St. Matthew, Chapter 3, verses 13 – 17’.
Then read the passage about the Baptism of Jesus from your Bible to the congregation.
At the end of the reading, say,
‘This is the Gospel of the Lord.’
And the congregation will all respond, ‘Amen’.

NOW FOLLOWS THE BAPTISM

As priest, you say;
‘We welcome those who come to be baptised. I invite their sponsors to present them now.’
The godparents or sponsors of the one to be baptised now answer;
‘We present…(here they say the name) to be baptised.’

You now say;
‘Parents and godparents, do you promise to accept the responsibilities placed upon you for bringing … for baptism, and to help them on the walk of faith ahead of him (or her) in his (or her) life?
The parents and godparents now say, ‘We do’.

The priest now says;
‘Do you reject devil and all rebellion against God? Do you renounce evil, and accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God and your Lord and Saviour?’
The parents, godparents and congregation answer ‘We do’.

NOW YOU AS PRIEST BAPTISE

The presiding minister baptises by dipping the candidate in the water, ensuring that the water does not cover the head or obstruct the breathing, or by pouring water over him (or her), saying,
‘I baptie you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’

Remember that the candidate is not to have his or her head put under water in any way, as this can be very dangerous. Also it is safer to baptise indoors in a small area and not in large rivers or areas of water.

NOW PRESENT THE NEWLY BAPTISED TO THE CONGREGATION

As priest, now walk around with the newly baptised to all in the congregation, to welcome her (or him) to her (or his) new community of faith.

OUR FATHER

Give the newly baptised to her (or his) parents and godparents, and say;
‘I now invite all her present to pray the Our Father as our Saviour Jesus Christ taught us;
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, the Power and the Glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.’

THE LIGHTING OF THE EASTER CANDLE

The Easter candle (a large white candle symbolising Jesus) is lit in the presence of the newly baptised and the congregation.

As priest, you pray;

‘Dearly beloved, you have received the Light of Christ,
Walk in this Light all the days of your life.
Shine as a light in the world,
To the Glory of God the Father.
Let your life be a testament of love, peace and service of the Lord,
Amen.’

Ensure that the candle is lit safely, and there is no danger of fire from the candle. Also ensure that immediately after the Baptism ceremony, the candle is safely put out.

THE FINAL BLESSING
As priest, raise your hand in blessing to the congregation, and pray;
‘May the blessing of Almighty God be with you now and forevermore,'
And the congregation answers, ' Amen.’

FINAL SONG OF PRAISE

The Congregation may now sing a hymn or song relevant to the baptismal occasion together as an act of worship.

EMERGENCY BAPTISM;
In a case of urgent necessity, it is enough to name the candidate and pour water on the person’s head, saying,
‘I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’
Suitable prayers can then be said, and the Lord’s Prayer.

CONDITIONAL BAPTISM;
If there is uncertainty about whether a person has already been baptised with water in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the priest should use the usual service of baptism, with the following difference;
The form of the words at the baptism shall be;
‘…if you have not already been baptised,
I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’

THE ADMINISTRATION OF BAPTISM;

A threefold administration of water, whether by dipping or pouring, is an ancient practice in the Christian Church. A single administration is also lawful and valid, and is practical - especially when baptising babies.
If you baptise a baby, ensure that the water is warm - not hot. Babies often cry if cold water is poured on their foreheads unexpectedly. Also if you are in the northern climates during winter, ensure that the water is a warm room temperature, as standing water can be very cold in winter, especially in times of snow and ice.

ISSUE A BAPTISM CERTIFICATE

Issue a baptism certificate to the family for the candidate. Keep a record in your own parish register.