Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia
Holy Baptism
IN MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER
This order begins after the second reading in Morning or Evening Prayer
1 A hymn may be sung.
2 The priest says
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
3 A Sentence of Scripture appropriate to the day or the occasion may be read, or the following dialogue used.
There is one Body and one Spirit;
there is one hope in God’s call to us.
One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism,
one God and Father of all.
4 The minister may continue with these or similar words.
Baptism is the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When he had risen from the dead, he commanded his followers to go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
We have come together today to obey that command.
Baptism with water signifies the cleansing from sin that Jesus’ death makes possible, and the new life that God gives us through the Holy Spirit.
In baptism, the promises of God are visibly signed and sealed for us. We are joined to Christ, and made members of his body, the Church universal.
[When children are to be baptised, the minister says
Children are baptised in response to God’s all-embracing love. Parents and godparents who have responded to that love come now to bring their children for baptism. Before this congregation they must express their own trust and commitment to the promises of God, and their intention to bring up their children in the faith and practice of the Church. In due time these children should make their own response to God, and be prepared for confirmation.]
So we welcome you, name(s), with your sponsors [and families].
We give thanks for you, and pray that you may know God’s love and faithfulness for ever.
5 A Reading from the New Testament appropriate to baptism may follow.
6 The Sermon is preached here or at ¶ 24.
7 The priest invites all candidates and their sponsors to stand in view of the congregation and may invite the sponsors to present the candidates.
I invite the sponsors of these persons to present them for baptism.
The sponsors answer
We present name(s) to be baptised.
8 The priest says to the sponsors of those unable to answer for themselves
Will you accept the responsibilities placed upon you in bringing name/this child for baptism?
I will.
Are you willing to answer on behalf of name/this child?
I am.
By your own prayers and example, by your friendship and love, will you encourage name/this child in the life and faith of the Christian community?
I will, with God’s help.
9 The priest says to the candidates able to answer for themselves, and to the sponsors of other candidates
Before God and this congregation, you must affirm that you turn to Christ and reject all that is evil:
Do you turn to Christ?
I turn to Christ.
Do you repent of your sins?
I repent of my sins.
Do you reject selfish living, and all that is false and unjust?
I reject them all.
Do you renounce Satan and all evil?
I renounce all that is evil.
Almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness, and lead you in the light of Christ to his everlasting kingdom. Amen.
10 The priest says to the candidates and sponsors
Will you each, by God’s grace, strive to live as a disciple of Christ, loving God with your whole heart, and your neighbour as yourself, until your life’s end?
I will, with God’s help.
11 The priest says to the congregation
You have heard these our brothers and sisters respond to Christ. Will you support them in this calling?
The congregation answers
We will.
12 The minister says
Let us pray.
Grant, merciful God, that these persons may be so buried with Christ in baptism that the new nature may be raised up in them. May the fruit of your Spirit grow and flourish in them. Amen.
May they know Christ’s forgiving love and continue in the fellowship and service of his Church. May they proclaim, by word and example, the good news of God in Christ. Amen.
We thank you for the ministry we have in your world and to each other in the household of faith. Hasten that day when the whole creation shall be made perfect in Christ. Amen.
13 A hymn may be sung.
14 The priest comes to the place where the water for baptism is, and begins the thanksgiving.
[The Lord be with you.
And also with you.]
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The priest or other minister continues
We give you thanks that at the beginning of creation your Holy Spirit moved upon the waters to bring forth light and life. With water you cleanse and replenish the earth; you nourish and sustain all living things.
Thanks be to God.
We give you thanks that through the waters of the Red Sea you led your people out of slavery into freedom, and brought them through the river Jordan to new life in the land of promise.
Thanks be to God.
We give you thanks for your Son Jesus Christ: for his baptism by John, for his anointing with the Holy Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
We give you thanks that through the deep waters of death Jesus delivered us from our sins and was raised to new life in triumph.
Thanks be to God.
We give you thanks for the grace of the Holy Spirit who forms us in the likeness of Christ and leads us to proclaim your kingdom.
Thanks be to God.
The priest continues
And now we give you thanks that you have called name/these
your servants to new birth in your Church through the waters of baptism.
Pour out your Holy Spirit in blessing and sanctify this water so that those who are baptised in it may be made one with Christ in his death and resurrection. May they die to sin, rise to newness of life, and continue for ever in Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we give you praise and honour in the unity of the Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
15 The priest says to the candidates able to answer for themselves, and to the sponsors of other candidates
I now ask you to affirm as yours the faith of the Church.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in God the Son?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The priest says to the congregation
This is the faith of the Church.
The congregation responds
This is our faith:
We believe in one God:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
16 Each candidate is brought to the water.
The minister baptises by dipping the candidates in the water, or pouring water over them, saying
Name, I baptise you in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
And each one of them answers with their sponsors and the congregation
Amen.
17 When all have been baptised, the priest makes a cross on the forehead of each person, saying
Name, I sign you with the sign of the cross to show that you are marked as Christ’s own for ever.
The priest addresses all the newly baptised
Live as a disciple of Christ:
fight the good fight,
finish the race,
keep the faith.
and the congregation responds, saying
Confess Christ crucified,
proclaim his resurrection,
look for his coming in glory.
18 The minister says
God has brought you out of darkness
into his marvellous light.
and the congregation joins the minister saying
Shine as a light in the world
to the glory of God the Father.
19 The minister continues
God has called you into his Church.
The congregation joins the minister in saying
We therefore receive and welcome you
as a member with us of the body of Christ,
as a child of the one heavenly Father,
and as an inheritor of the kingdom of God.
20 A hymn may be sung.
21 If it is not used elsewhere in the service, the Lord’s Prayer is said here.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
22 One or more of these and other suitable prayers may be said.
For all who are baptised into Christ
Gracious God,
we who have been brought from death to life,
dedicate ourselves to you.
Produce in us the fruit of your Spirit.
Equip us to serve your people
and advance your gospel in the world.
Enable us to live in holiness and righteousness
and to please you in all that we do;
in the name of Jesus our Saviour. Amen.
At the baptism of a child
Merciful God,
in your infinite love you have made a new covenant
with us in your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
promising to be our God and the God of our children.
Enable all who are baptised in your name
to live as a covenant people.
Fulfil your promises for this child, we pray,
and grant that he/she may grow in your faith and service
until his/her life’s end;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for parents
Heavenly Father, we pray for the parents of this child;
give them the spirit of wisdom and love.
May their children grow up to love and reverence you
and their home share in the joy of your eternal kingdom. Amen.
For godparents
God of truth and love,
we pray for the godparents of names.
Enable them to share with their godchildren
what you have revealed to us in your holy gospel.
We ask this in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
23 The prayers of the people may follow.
24 The Sermon is preached here, if it has not been preached earlier.
25 A hymn may be sung.
26 The service concludes with these words
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen.
1 In the celebration of baptism the symbolism of water should be emphasised. Immersion or the pouring of a significant quantity of water shows this clearly. The pouring of the water both into the font and over each candidate should be done deliberately and with care.
2 Presentation of candidates (¶ 7) is optional. The priest may vary the words of invitation to the sponsors as is most suitable to the occasion. The candidates may be presented individually or as a group.
3 When all have been baptised, the ministers, the newly baptised and their sponsors may move to a position in the centre of the congregation.
4 The ‘after baptism’ ceremonies, including the signing with the cross, should be performed after all the baptisms are completed. When there are a number of candidates, the congregational responses may be kept until all the candidates have been signed [and presented with a candle].
5 Oil may be used if desired at the signing of the cross at ¶ 17. The optional use of oil (chrism) restores an ancient baptismal ceremony. It evokes a rich variety of biblical imagery: the anointing of kings (1 Samuel 16), the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2), the seal of the saints (Revelation 7) and is traditionally associated with the Holy Spirit. Its relationship with the name ‘Christ’, the anointed one, reminds us that each baptism is related to the baptism of Jesus.
6 At ¶ 18 a lighted candle may be presented to each candidate.
7 The readings are normally those of the day. The following are also suitable.
Genesis 9.8–17; Exodus 14.19–31; Ezekiel 36.25–28.
Psalm 29; Psalm 46.
Acts 2.37–42; Romans 6.1–11; Galatians 3.23–29.
Matthew 28.18–20; Mark 1.1–11; John 3.1–8.
8 Emergency baptisms. See page 71.
9 On the sign of the cross in baptism, see page 822.