FORM OF ADMISSION OF CATECHUMENS.

The candidates meet together outside the door of the church, standing. The priest standing in the doorway faces them. One or more christian witnesses stand by the priest, ready when the time comes to lead the catechumens into the church.

(Psalm 23 or Ps 70 may be said.)

Priest: Jesus said: “There are other sheep that belong to me that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them too, they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock with one shepherd.” (John 10 v 16)

Let us pray:

Almighty God, you show to those who go wrong the light of your truth, so that they may come back to a good life, grant to all those who have been received into the Christian faith that we may turn away from those things which their faith forbids, and follow those things which belong to that faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The priest then questions the catechumens (all together.)

Priest: My son (daughter) (children), what do you ask of me?

Catechumens: I ask of you christian teaching and Baptism.

Priest: All men and women who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion must worship one God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and renounce all idols and false gods: they must live a sober, honest, pure and godly life: they must be in peace and charity with all men: they must help those who are in trouble or in need: they must deny themselves: and they must be faithful and regular in both their personal prayer and public worship of God in his Church. I ask therefore:—

Do you promise to worship and serve one God only, putting away all trust in sorcery and false gods?

Catechumens: I promise.

Priest: Will you fight against Satan and all his works?

Catechumens: I will try with the help of God.

Priest: Will you begin to live a christian life?

Catechumens: I will, with the help of God.

Priest: Will you come faithfully to instruction and listen carefully to your teachers and obey them?

Catechumens: I will, with the help of God.

Priest: God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life and who has put these holy desires into your heart, in order to seek for Grace in baptism, of his great mercy help you to persevere to the end, and fulfil in you his perfect will. Amen.

Let us pray.

Lord God Almighty, we ask you to look upon these your servants who desire to come out of the darkness into light, and out of the bondage of their sins into the wonderful freedom of the children of God, that being no more servants but sons, they may in your presence find great joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd, you have laid down your life for the sheep, in your mercy receive the wanderers into your fold. Join them with your own flock and lead them to the pleasant pastures of everlasting life: where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

God, the Holy Spirit, Lord of love and giver of life, lead these your servants from the dry and barren land of ignorance to the waters of comfort, that they may be washed from all their sin and begin a new life in you: who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 

ADMISSION.

The priest goes to each catechumen in turn. He makes the sign of the cross on his forehead saying:

Receive the sign of the cross to help you to remember that Christ Jesus died on the cross for you, and that in stretching out his arms he receives and blesses you for ever. He who has begun this good work in you, make you perfect to the day of Jesus Christ that you may daily grow in his love, and finally enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The priest takes the catechumen by the right hand saying:

N ...... in the presence of this congregation, I receive you as a catechumen in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The priest then raises the catechumen and hands him to a christian who takes his hand and leads him to his place inside the church, where he kneels:

When all are inside the priest says:

Eternal God who wills that all men shall be saved, visit these your servants who kneel before you that they may be faithful to their promises and listen carefully to their instruction and so arrive at Holy Baptism and be born again by water and the Holy Spirit and enter into the congregation of the Believers, the Church redeemed by the blood of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who has called you to follow him, pour water on you that are thirsty and floods on the dry grounds of your souls now and always. Amen.
 

THE BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION OF THOSE WHO ARE OLD ENOUGH TO ANSWER FOR THEMSELVES.

NOTES.

1. Candidates for baptism should be given thorough instruction. In new areas it is normal for a person to be a hearer for one year and then to be a catechumen for two years.

2. The consent of the diocesan or regional bishop must be obtained before an adult is baptised.

3. A person wanting baptism must show that he really desires to put away things that are not christian, that he is going to accept Christ as his Lord and Saviour and really wants to live the Christian life, and that he is truly sorry for all that he has done wrong.

4. Candidates should confess their sin in the presence of a priest before baptism. (The absolution is not given.)

5. Candidates should be prepared for confirmation at the same time, so that they can receive Holy Communion and be strengthened in the faith into which they have been baptized.
 

THE FIRST PART OF THE SERVICE.

A hymn or Psalm 34 vvs 1-8 may be said.

Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with you.

Priest: Let us pray.

Almighty God, when Jesus Christ was baptized in the River Jordan, you told the world that he was your only Son; so now grant that in baptism these servants of yours may be made members of Christ through your Holy Spirit; and that they may become your children in the family of your Church. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(Ezekiel 36v25a, vvs 26-28 may be read. Then a hymn or psalm 107 vvs 1-9 may be sung or said.)

THE EPISTLE. 1 Corinthians 12 vvs 12-13.

For Christ is like a single body, which has many parts; it is still one body, even though it is made up of different parts. In the same way, all of us, Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free men, have been baptized into the one body by the same Spirit, and we have all been given the one Spirit to drink. (T.E.V.)

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

A hymn or Psalm 97 vvs 9-12 may be sung or said.

THE GOSPEL. Mark 1 vvs 1-11.

All: Glory be to you Lord Christ.

This is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It began as the prophet Isaiah had written:

“Here is my messenger”, says God, “I will send him ahead of you to open the way for you! Someone is shouting in the desert: ‘Get the Lord’s road ready for him, make a straight path for him to travel.’”

So John appeared in the desert, baptising people and preaching his message. “Turn away from your sins and be baptized,” he told the people, “and God will forgive your sins”. Everybody from the region of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. They confessed their sins and he baptised them in the Jordan River.

John wore clothes made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist; he ate locusts and wild honey. He announced to the people: “The man who will come after me is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to bend down and untie his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Not long afterwards Jesus came from Nazareth, in the region of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan. As soon as Jesus came up out of the water he saw heaven opening and the Spirit coming down on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my own dear Son. I am well pleased with you”. (T.E.V.)

All: Praise be to you, Lord Christ.

Then the SERMON shall be preached.

Then the Ministers, candidates and people go to the place of baptism. A hymn or Psalm 42vvs.1-7 may be sung or said.
 

THE DECISION AND THE THREE PROMISES.

Bishop (or Priest): You have come here to be baptized. God and His Church are here with you. You must promise to love and obey Christ and to turn away from all that belongs to Satan. You must tell us in what you believe, so I ask you:

Bishop: Do you turn to Christ?
Answer: I turn to Christ.
Bishop: Do you repent of your sins?
Answer: I repent of my sins.
Bishop: Do you reject Satan and all his works?
Answer: I reject Satan and all his works.
Bishop: Do you believe in God?
Answer: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
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.
Bishop: Do you promise to obey God’s holy will and commandments?
Answer: I do.
 

THE BLESSING OF THE WATER

Bishop (or priest): The Lord be with you.
People: And with you.

Bishop: Let us pray.

We thank you, almighty Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, because by his death and resurrection you have broken the power of evil; and by sending the Holy Spirit you have made us new men, in the family of your Church.

We ask you to bless this water, so that those who are baptized in it may be born again in Christ; so that, as they are baptized into his death, and receive forgiveness for all their sins, they may know the power of his resurrection, and may walk in newness of life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 

THE BAPTISM.

Each candidate shall come to the water and give his christian name(s) to the Minister.

The Minister baptizes him saying:

N ........ I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 

THE SIGNING OF THE CROSS:

The Minister shall make a cross on the forehead of each candidate saying:—

I sign you with the sign of the cross.

When all have been baptized the Bishop and people say together:

This is to show that you must confess Jesus as your Lord. You must tell his Good News to others. You must fight for him against sin, the world, the devil. You must love him and serve him faithfully all your life.

Then the Minister may give a lighted candle to each candidate, saying:

Receive this light.

When all have received a candle and taken their places among the Christians the Ministers and people say together:

This light is a sign that you have passed from darkness into light, that you may shine as a light in the world, to the glory of God.
 

THE WELCOME:

Ministers and people say together:

By this baptism, God has received you into his Church. Therefore we also welcome you into the family of our Lord, as fellow-members of the Body of Christ, as children of the same heavenly Father, as inheritors with us of the kingdom of God.

Then a hymn may be sung:

The bishop and other ministers take their places in the church for the Confirmation and the Eucharist.
 

THE CONFIRMATION:

All the candidates shall kneel. Then the Bishop shall say:

Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
People: Who has made heaven and earth.
Bishop: Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
People: Now and for ever.

Stretching out his hands towards those to be confirmed the Bishop shall say:

Almighty and everliving God, you have freely given a new birth to these your servants by water and the Spirit, you have given them forgiveness of all their sins, pour on them your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding; the Spirit of guidance and inward strength; the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them Lord with the Spirit of your holy fear. Amen.

The Bishop shall then lay his hand on the head of each, and may anoint him, saying:

Lord, confirm your servant (N ...... ) with your Holy Spirit (and seal him with the oil of salvation to eternal life.)

Each one will answer: Amen.

When all have been confirmed the Bishop shall say:

Lord, defend these your servants with your heavenly grace, that they may daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more and continue yours for ever. Amen.

There may be a hymn.
 

THE EUCHARIST.

The Bishop may begin the Eucharist with the greeting of peace and the words “We are the Body of Christ”.

IF THERE IS NO EUCHARIST, the service concludes with these prayers:

All: 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.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Bishop: Almighty God, we thank you for the gift of eternal life which you have given to these your servants by your Holy Spirit. We pray that by the Body and Blood of your Son they may be made strong to serve you faithfully with all your people. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the God of peace, who raised our Lord Jesus from the dead, make you to do his will, working in you those things which please him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 

FINAL PRAYER AT ADULT BAPTISM.

It is normally expected that baptism and confirmation will take place at the same service; but if for some reason there is no confirmation, these prayers shall be said by Priest and people together:

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.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Father, we thank you, that by your Holy Spirit these people have been born again, to become your own children, and members of your Church. We ask you, Father, that these people, being filled with the Holy Spirit, may live and grow in your service, and may receive all your promises, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all for ever. Amen.
 

BAPTISM OF BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN.

NOTES.

1. In Baptism water shall be poured on the head of the candidate three times, or he may be dipped in the water three times.

2. Care should be taken to see that the parents and Godparents are worshipping Christians.

3. The Priest shall see that the parents and Godparents are instructed in good time before the baptism.

4. The parents should be told that they must teach their child to know and love the Lord Jesus within the family of his church;

by bringing him to public worship in the church,
by praying with him,
by giving him a good example of Christian life.

5. The Godparents shall help the parents to do all this, and should pray regularly for the child.

6. Parents and Godparents should encourage the child to be confirmed (when old enough) and to become a regular communicant.

7. The Priest should make sure at the time of giving instruction that the child has not been baptized already.
 

THE SERVICE

(This shall normally take place at the Eucharist after the Gospel, or at Evensong after the second lesson)

The Priest, standing at the font, will say:

The Lord be with you.
Answer: And with you.
Priest: There is one body and one spirit.
Answer: There is one hope in God’s call to us.
Priest: One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
Answer: One God and Father of us all.

Priest: Our Lord Jesus Christ took the children in his arms, placed his hands on each of them, and blessed them, saying, “Let the children come to me! Do not stop them because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Remember this! Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” (Mark 10: 16, 14b, 15 T.E.V.)

Again He said, “I tell you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again. No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit”. (John 3: 3, 5b, T.E.V.)

He also said to His disciples after His resurrection, “I have been given authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them My disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always to the end of the age”. (Matthew 28:186-20 T.E.V.)

Let us pray for these children whom we bring to baptism in the Name of the Lord and say together:

Priest and People: Heavenly Father, grant that by your Holy Spirit these children may be born again, and brought to know you in the family of your Church; that in newness of life they may overcome evil and grow in grace all their lives: through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 

THE PRESENTATION.

The Priest shall say to the parents and Godparents who present the children for baptism:—

Will you bring up these children to take part in the worship of the church, and help them to pray by your example and teaching?

Parents and Godparents: I will.

Priest: Will you encourage them to come to confirmation and communion when they are old enough?

All answer: We will.
 

THE THREE PROMISES.

The Priest shall say to parents and Godparents:—

You have brought these children to be baptised. You must promise to try to love and obey Christ, and to turn away from all that belongs to Satan.

In the name of these children I ask you:

Do you reject Satan and all his works?
Answer: I reject Satan and all his works.
Priest: Do you believe in God?
Answer: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
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.

Priest: Do you promise to obey God’s holy will and commandments?
Answer: I do.
 

THE BLESSING OF THE WATER.

Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with you.

Priest: Let us pray.

We thank you, almighty Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, because by his death and resurrection you have broken the power of evil; and by sending the Holy Spirit you have made us new men, in the family of your Church.

We ask you to bless this water, so that those who are baptized in it may be born again in Christ; so that as they are baptized into his death, and receive forgiveness for all their sins, they may know the power of his resurrection, and may walk in newness of life, through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
 

THE BAPTISM.

The Priest takes the child and says:

Name this child.

The Priest baptizes the child saying:

N ........, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 

THE SIGNING OF THE CROSS.

The Priest shall make a cross on the forehead of the child saying:

I sign you with the sign of the Cross.

Then the Priest gives the child back.

When all the children have been baptized the Priest and people say together:

This is to show that you must confess Jesus as your Lord. You must tell his Good News to others. You must fight for him against sin, the world, and the devil. You must love him and serve him faithfully all your life.

Then the Priest may give a lighted candle to the parent or Godparent of each child, saying:

Receive this light.

When all have received a candle and taken their places among the Christians the Priest and People say together:

This light is a sign that you have passed from darkness into light, that you may shine as a light in the world, to the glory of God.
 

THE WELCOME

Priest and people say together:

By this baptism, God has received you into his Church. Therefore we also welcome you into the family of our Lord,
as fellow-members of the Body of Christ,
as children of the same heavenly Father,
as inheritors with us of the kingdom of God.
 

THE PRAYERS

Priest: Let us pray:

All: 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.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Priest: Father, we thank you that by your Holy Spirit these children have been born again, to become your own children, and members of your Church; grant that they may grow in the faith in which they have been baptized; grant that they themselves may come for confirmation in that faith; and grant that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in them, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We pray that you will bless the parents of these children; give them the spirit of wisdom and love, so that their home may be like your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(A suitable hymn may be sung)

If the Baptism takes place at the Eucharist then the Intercession of the Eucharist will follow.

If the Baptism takes place at Evensong the Song of Simeon will follow; but the Apostles’ Creed after that will be omitted.