Rite of Baptism.

 

Matthew 28:18-20 18. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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.”

 

Leader: Baptism is a sacrament of the church, a statement of faith, and a rite that draws us into the communion of God with all of creation. If you so wish to be baptised today please respond with the words of candidates below.

 

Leader: Baptism is the journey through the waters.

Candidates: We journey with Noah through the waters of the flood, we journey with Israel through the waters of the red sea, we journey with Jesus through the waters of the Jordan river.

 

Leader: Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins.

Candidates: We journey with the human one, humbly accepting that to be human we cause suffering and suffer, cause pain and live with pain, cause grief and live with grief, with the human one we accept all of life as it is.

 

Leader: Baptism is to return to the waters of God’s womb.

Candidates: We journey with those who have been born again of water and of Spirit.

 

Leader: Baptism is the gateway into the body of Christ.

Candidates: We journey with those who are family of God, part of one body we drink of one Spirit.

 

Leader: Baptism is an outward sign of our inward dedication.

Candidates: We journey with Jesus the Christ, the word and wisdom of God, who was crucified, died, and rose again on the third day, giving ourselves unreservedly to the path he walked.

 

Leader: Baptism is a fulfillment of the commandment Christ gave.

Candidates: We journey with those who have been baptised in the name of the Creator, the Redeemer, the sustainer, seeking those that need to hear the good news of the Kingdom of God.

 

Witnesses: Today we bless Stephen, William, James, Robert, and Simon, with the love in our heart, the prayers on our lips, and the strength of our hands; seeking ever to sustain them in their journey with us and the whole of the body of Christ.

 

All: May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, evermore, amen.