Baptism: The Service

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In the Early Church

Baptism is the first Sacrament because a person who is not baptised – christened – is not a Christian.  In the Early Church, Baptism was administered twice a year: at Easter, and then again at Pentecost for any candidates who had missed the Easter Baptism.  Most of them would be adults.  They were instructed in the Christian Faith during the six weeks of Lent.  Indeed, that is how the season of Lent began, as a preparation for Baptism.

During that time they were taught the Creed as a summary or outline of the Faith, and also the Lord’s Prayer.  Then, late on the evening before Easter Day, having turned towards the west, where the sun had set at nightfall, they renounced the Devil, – said 'No' to him – the Lord of Darkness.  Next, as if turning their back on the Devil and looking instead to God, they faced the east where the light of dawn would soon shine and drive the night away.  So they recited the Creed to express their belief in God and in the Christian Faith.  Then they were baptised by the bishop, and confirmed by him immediately afterwards, and so they made their First Communion.  Lastly, they were given a drink of milk and honey.  The Jews of old had been promised “a land flowing with milk and honey”, and so this drink was a reminder of the faithful Christian’s reward in Heaven, that “land of pure delight, where saints immortal reign”. (1)

Later on, when most people had become Christians, they brought their children to be baptised when they were babies, as generally happens today.  This meant, of course, that no instruction in the Christian Faith could be given, and so Baptisms were administered all through the year and no longer only at Easter and Pentecost.


Baptisms today

We will now look at the main parts of our Baptismal Service as it is today.  In the Church of England there are two basic types of Baptismal Service:

  • those that follow orders of service in the Book of Common Prayer of 1662;
  • those that follow the orders of service in Common Worship which were authorised for use from 1998.

The Services in Common Worship are the ones used most often today.  But despite some differences between the Prayer Book and Common Worship orders of service, there are a number of core elements that can be seen in both.  These elements are central to Christian Baptism and can be found in services of Baptism from very early times.  Services vary according to different situations, for example, whether an adult or a baby is being baptised, and whether the Baptism takes place within a Eucharist or as a separate service. (2)  Usually Baptisms take place in a person’s home church during the Sunday Eucharist where he or she is surrounded and supported by other members of God’s Family in that place.


During the Baptism, as babies are too young to speak for themselves, their Godparents act on their behalf and speak for them.  In Common Worship parents and Godparents speak for them.  We’ll look now at the main parts of the Baptism of a baby – Elizabeth – following the order of events in Common Worship. (3)  Elizabeth’s parish priest is baptising her.

Presentation of Elizabeth

Elizabeth’s godparents and parents declare that they will support her in her life as a Christian.

The Decision (Baptismal Promises)

The Promises made on Elizabeth’s behalf involve renouncing the Devil and all that is evil and a declaration of turning to Christ. 

Signing with the Cross

The priest makes the sign of the Cross on Elizabeth’s forehead.  The Cross is the badge of a Christian soldier and it shows that Elizabeth belongs to Christ.

Prayer over the water

The priest says a prayer over the water in the font.  At one time the water was kept in the font from one Baptism to another.  A flat wooden cover acted as a lid to keep the dust out, but in the 13th century the Archbishop of Canterbury ordered locks to be put on them.  This was to stop people from stealing the water and using it for magical purposes.  On some old fonts you can still see the staples used in the locking of the font.  The prayer over the water includes these words,

“Now sanctify this water that, by the power of your Holy Spirit,
they (the candidates) may be cleansed from sin and born again”. (4)


Profession of Faith

Elizabeth’s godparents, parents and the rest of the people present make a declaration of Christian faith based on the Apostles’ Creed.

The Baptism

Elizabeth’s parish priest pours water three times on her forehead, saying the words: “Elizabeth, I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.

Duties of godparents and parents, and the Church Family

Elizabeth’s parish priest reminds her godparents, parents and the whole congregation of their duties, for example, praying for her, teaching and setting her a good example, encouraging and guiding her.  And the expectation is that in due course Elizabeth will be confirmed.

Welcome

The whole congregation welcomes Elizabeth into the Church:

“We welcome you into the fellowship of faith;
we are children of the same heavenly Father;
we welcome you”. (5)


SUMMARY

1. Baptism is the first Sacrament because a person who is not baptised – christened – is not a Christian.

2. The Baptismal Service has these main parts:

  • Presentation
  • Decision (Baptismal Promises)
  • Signing with the Cross
  • Prayer over the water
  • Profession of Faith
  • Baptism
  • Reminder of duties of godparents and parents, and the Church Family
  • Welcome

    • References

    1. Watts, I. (1707) There is a land of pure delight.  Available from:
    http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/t/t439.html  (Accessed 23 August 2010) (Internet).

    2. Church of England (not dated) Baptism.  Available from:
    http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/baptismconfirm/sectionb.html  (Accessed 23 August 2010) (Internet).

    3. ©The Archbishops’ Council (2006) Common Worship.   Holy Baptism.  Available from:
    http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/initiation/baptism.html  (Accessed 23 August 2010) (Internet).

    4. ©The Archbishops’ Council (2006) Common Worship.   Holy Baptism.  Available from:
    http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/initiation/baptism.html  (Accessed 23 August 2010) (Internet).

    5. ©The Archbishops’ Council (2006) Common Worship.   Holy Baptism.  Available from:
    http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/initiation/baptism.html  (Accessed 23 August 2010) (Internet).