BAPTISM - WHAT IS IT?

Former Rector Rev Canon Gwynne Richardson conducting  a baptism at St Wilfrid’s

BAPTISM OF ADULTS

Baptism is the act by which a person, having openly declared a trust in Jesus Christ and a desire to follow him, is joined to the Christian family, the Church.  Baptism involves a personal allegiance to Christ, a commitment to the life, fellowship and worship of the Church, and the receiving of God’s gift of new life in Christ.

BAPTISM OF CHILDREN

Although baptism normally requires a personal act of faith and commitment, the Church does accept for baptism those who are not yet old enough to do this, on the understanding that the child will receive a Christian upbringing within the family of Christ's Church, In fact, as you see from the meaning of baptism, infant baptism only makes sense on these terms.

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF PARENTS AND GODPARENTS

When bringing a child for baptism parents need to think carefully about the step of commitment they are making for their child and also for themselves; and before accepting on invitation to be a Godparent (or "sponsor"}, a person needs to think about what is involved and be sure that they can conscientiously take their part in the baptism. The preface to the baptism service requires that as parents and godparents you should ask yourselves whether you are prepared to the best of your ability to give the child a Christian upbringing within the family of Christ's Church; whether you will help the child to be regular in public worship and in prayer, not only by your teaching but also by your example and your prayers; whether you will encourage the child in due time to come to Confirmation and Communion. This is, as you see, a very definite and demanding undertaking. You will however have the whole family of the Church to help you, and the Rector will gladly advise you on how to fulfill these obligations through the years that lie ahead.

THE BAPTISM SERVICE

The baptism service can either take place in the monthly family service which takes place on the third Sunday of each month at 11am in St Wilfrid’s Church (Monk Fryston) or on the Fourth Sunday of each month at St Mary’s Church in South Milford. If the family prefer to have a separate service (normally on Sunday afternoon) then this can be arranged through consultation with the Rector. If the service takes place on a Sunday afternoon then the immediate family are invited to the family service the following month for the newly baptised child to be welcomed into the church family at St Wilfrid’s in Monk Fryston – this is a very important part of the baptism process and on this occasion the child will be presented with their baptism certificate and candle and the parents will be presented with a commemorative Bible to mark the occasion of their child’s baptism.

Before you come to the baptism service it is important that you should know what is expected of you. In the baptism service, after introductory readings and prayers there comes "The Decision". The priest says: "Those who bring children to be baptised must affirm their allegiance to Christ and their rejection of all that is evil. It is your duty to bring up this child to fight against evil and to follow Christ. Therefore I ask. Do you turn to Christ? Do you repent of your sins? Do you renounce evil?" After each of these questions you reply respectively: "I turn to Christ", "I repent of my sins", and "I renounce evil". Immediately before the child is baptised you will be asked to make the Christian profession in which the child is to be baptised and in which you will bring him up. The priest says: "Do you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world? Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed mankind? Do you believe and trust in his Holy Spirit, who sanctifies the People of God?" After each of these questions you reply using the words of the Christian Creed (a statement of belief). After the baptism prayers are offered for the newly baptised child, the parents, godparents and also the wider family. It is possible to have hymns sung during the service – but some families prefer to have a quiet service without hymns.

IF YOU WISH TO KNOW MORE OR EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF BAPTISM FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR CHILD
PLEASE CONTACT THE RECTOR ON 01977 680788