Baptism
What is Baptism?
The Church teaches that:
Baptism is birth into new life in Christ. In accordance with Jesus' will, Baptism is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.
Baptism consists of pouring water on the head while praying for the working of God the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which the baptised person becomes an adoptive son of the God, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized becomes part of the Church, the Body of Christ, and is made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ.
Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of this, Baptism cannot be repeated.
Since earliest times Baptism has been administered to children for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized into the faith of the Church. Entry into Christian life gives access to true freedom.
With respect to children who have died without Baptism, the Church invites us to trust in God's mercy and to pray for their salvation.
Baptism of a child
The Church believes that to bring up a child as a Church-going Christian is the best possible preparation for life in today's world. We are delighted when we are asked to administer the sacrament of Baptism but we find that many people do not really understand Baptism so it is therefore important that careful preparation is made.
Parents must promise to give their child a Christian up-bringing within the Church, to help that child come to worship and to pray. This is done by their teaching and example.
God-parents make promises on behalf of the child being baptised and therefore those taking on this important role should be practicing Christians themselves.
The Church of England expects all God-parents to be at least 16 years old, baptised and confirmed members of the Church, but it is possible for someone who is not yet confirmed to be a God-parent.
Arranging a Baptism
Come into Church at 6pm on any Monday to talk with one of our priests about Baptism; no appointment is necessary.
The Church teaches that:
Baptism is birth into new life in Christ. In accordance with Jesus' will, Baptism is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.
Baptism consists of pouring water on the head while praying for the working of God the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which the baptised person becomes an adoptive son of the God, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized becomes part of the Church, the Body of Christ, and is made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ.
Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of this, Baptism cannot be repeated.
Since earliest times Baptism has been administered to children for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized into the faith of the Church. Entry into Christian life gives access to true freedom.
With respect to children who have died without Baptism, the Church invites us to trust in God's mercy and to pray for their salvation.
Baptism of a child
The Church believes that to bring up a child as a Church-going Christian is the best possible preparation for life in today's world. We are delighted when we are asked to administer the sacrament of Baptism but we find that many people do not really understand Baptism so it is therefore important that careful preparation is made.
Parents must promise to give their child a Christian up-bringing within the Church, to help that child come to worship and to pray. This is done by their teaching and example.
God-parents make promises on behalf of the child being baptised and therefore those taking on this important role should be practicing Christians themselves.
The Church of England expects all God-parents to be at least 16 years old, baptised and confirmed members of the Church, but it is possible for someone who is not yet confirmed to be a God-parent.
Arranging a Baptism
Come into Church at 6pm on any Monday to talk with one of our priests about Baptism; no appointment is necessary.