Baptisms at First Presbyterian Church
From The Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Directory for Worship says:
“The sacrament of baptism, the sign and seal of God’s grace and our response, is the foundational recognition of Christian commitment. It is appropriately celebrated following the reading and the proclaiming of the Word, and shall include statements concerning the biblical meaning of baptism, the responsibility to be assumed by those desiring baptism for themselves or their children and the nurture to be undertaken by the church.
Those desiring the sacrament of baptism for their children or for themselves shall make vows that (a) profess their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, (b) renounce evil and affirm their reliance on God’s grace, (c) declare their intention to participate actively and responsibly in the worship and mission of the church, (d) declare their intention to provide for the Christian nurture of their child. The congregation shall (e) profess its faith, using the Apostles’ Creed, (f) voice its support of the baptized, (g) express its willingness to take responsibility for the nurture of those baptized. An elder may lead the congregation in these professions and affirmations.
The minister of Word and Sacrament offers a baptismal prayer. This prayer (a) expresses thanksgiving for God’s covenant faithfulness, (b) gives praise for God’s reconciling acts, (c) asks that the Holy Spirit, attend and empower the baptism, make the water a water of redemption and rebirth, and equip the church for faithfulness.
The water used for baptism should be common to the location, and shall be applied to the person by pouring, sprinkling, or immersion. By whatever mode, the water should be applied visibly and generously. The minister shall use the name given the person to be baptized and shall baptize in the name of the triune God. The baptismal formula is: “_____, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Care shall be taken that the central act of baptizing with water is not overshadowed. Other actions that are rooted deeply in the history of baptism such as the laying on of hands in blessing, the praying for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, anointing with oil, and the presentation of the newly baptized to the congregation may also be included. When such actions are introduced, they should be explained carefully in order to avoid misinterpretation and misunderstanding. Declaration shall be made of the newly baptized person’s membership in the Church of Jesus Christ. The welcome of the congregation is extended. Whenever the service is so ordered, the Lord’s Supper may follow baptism at the appropriate time in the service.”
