Baptism is the sacrament that marks the beginning of the entire Christian life. In Baptism we are freed from sin and become sons and daughters of God. In the sacrament we receive the very life of God, become part of the Body of Christ, members of the Church, and are classed to share in its mission.
The Church celebrates the Sacrament of Baptism for all ages.
Adults seeking Baptism can enquire by making contact here.
The Sacrament of Baptism for infants and young children (often known as ‘christening’). At least one parent must be baptised when bringing a child forward for baptism.
Because they make promises on behalf of the child to support them in the faith of the church, each godparent (or ‘sponsor’) must be baptised.
Parents seeking baptism for their child can enquire by making contact here.
Why Baptism?
We baptise because Jesus commanded us to baptise. He said, ‘unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’ (John 3:5) And he said, ‘Go therefore and make disciples of nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Mattew 28:19)
What happens in Baptism?
- Two things happen in baptism. First, the candidate for baptism reaches out in faith and confesses the faith of the church, as expressed in the Apostles Creed. Then the priest either plunges the candidate in water, or pours water over the candidate’s head, while announcing that this person has now entered into a new state of life, a state in which he or she belongs to God in Christ though the power of the Holy Spirit.
- The outward and visible sign of the sacrament of baptism is the water in which the person is baptised and the precise form of words, I baptise you in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy spirit. The inward and spiritual grace towards which the sign effects is death to sin and a new birth into a new way of life.
Can Children be Baptised?
- The Anglican Church baptises both children and adults. Jesus says, ‘Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:14) So if children are to belong to the kingdom of god, and if admission to the kingdom of God is only by baptism, then we accept that Jesus intended children to be baptised.
- We also note that the baptism of children is a custom dating from the very earliest days of the church. In Acts 16:15 we are told how Lydia was baptised ‘with her household.’ And in 1 Corinthians 1:16 Paul says, ‘I did baptise also the household of Stephanus.’
- Most parents make most decisions, especially important decisions, on behalf of their children. They decide where they will live, what they will eat, where they will go to school, and how they should behave. Parents also make decisions about their child’s faith. Parents who bring their children for baptism recognise that being part of the Christian faith is one of the most important decisions that can be made on behalf of their children.
- The baptism of children witnesses to an important spiritual truth: our faith begins not with what we do for god, but with what God does for us. In baptising children we remind ourselves of that important fact over and over again.
What is required for Baptism?
- Baptism requires sincere assent to the Christian faith and an intention to live the Christian life. Adults who wish to be baptised should make their wish to be baptised known to the Vicar. Sometimes the Vicar will encourage a person to think about baptism if they show clear interest in the faith and are taking it seriously. He may then invite them to participate in a series of conversations or faith formation in which the candidate can explore questions of faith they may have.
- Parents who bring their children for baptism must also, on behalf of their children, assent to the Christian faith and commit to raising them in the faith. At least one parent themselves should be baptised. They must also nominate one or two godparents for their children who answer on behalf of the child. As they make promises of the Christian faith, godparents must be baptised.
