Holy baptism

This rite is from Church Rites (1994), prepared by the Commission on Worship, Lutheran Church of Australia.

NOTES

1 This rite is for use with candidates of all ages: adults, children, and infants.

2 In normal circumstances, the pastor of the candidate should administer the baptism.

3 The rite normally takes place in a service of public worship. When older children and adults are baptised, it will generally be part of a service with holy communion, so that they may receive the Lord's supper.

4 In a service with or without holy communion the rite may occur after the invocation or after the offertory. At matins or vespers it may follow the readings or the sermon.

5 Where practicable, the first part of this rite (Preparation) may take place in the narthex. A processional hymn may then be sung as the group moves to the font. A cross-bearer may lead the group. Alternatively, the assembly may gather at the font or in the chancel.

OUTLINE OF THE RITE

PREPARATION

Scriptural command

Address

Presentation

Admonition

Rebuke of unclean spirit

Opening of ears and mouth

Signing with the cross

Prayer

Reception of gospel

Lord's Prayer

Transitional blessing

BAPTISM

Renunciation and confession

Desire for baptism

Baptism

Laying on of hands

Baptismal garment

Presentation of candle

CONCLUSION

Prayer

Admission to sacrament of altar

Reception

Peace

Holy baptism

PREPARATION

SCRIPTURAL COMMAND

Our Lord Jesus Christ says: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

ADDRESS

The minister may add either of the following explanations or similar words.

EITHER

The word of God teaches that we are born sinful and unclean, but God washes us clean in the waters of baptism, and we are born again as his children. Through baptism our heavenly Father forgives us our sins and unites us with our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we share in his death and resurrection. And the Holy Spirit renews us and gives us eternal life.

The word of God teaches that when people are baptised, God our heavenly Father adopts them as his children.

PRESENTATION

The candidate may be presented for baptism by a parent or a sponsor, or by the minister.

In the case of an infant or young child the minister may ask the parent/sponsor:

N, do you present N for holy baptism? (If so, say 'Yes, I do'.)

Yes, I do.

In the case of an adult or older child, the minister may address the parent/sponsor, or the minister himself may present the candidate.

If he addresses the parent/sponsor, he says:

Has N been prepared for holy baptism? (If so, say 'Yes'.)

Yes.

Do you present him/her to be baptised? (If so, say 'Yes, I do'.)

Yes, I do.

If the minister presents the candidate, he says:

Since N has been taught the word of God and been prepared for holy baptism, I now present him/her to be baptised.

ADMONITION

The minister says either of the following admonitions or similar words to the parents and/or sponsors.

EITHER

Parents and/or sponsors of N: Since you have brought him/her to be baptised, you are responsible for his/her upbringing in the church. Remember him/her in your prayers. Bring him/her to the services in God's house and teach him/her the Lord's Prayer, the Creed and the Ten Commandments. Remind him/her of his/her baptism, set him/her a good example, and provide for his/her instruction in the faith. Do you intend to do this? (If so, say 'Yes, I do'.)

Yes, I do.

For an older child or an adult

Sponsors of N, since you present him/her for holy baptism, continue to care for him/her. Set him/her a good example and remember him/her in your prayers. Remind him/her of his/her baptism, and encourage him/her to come to the services in God's house. Do you intend to do this? (If so, say 'Yes, I do'.)

Yes, I do.

REBUKE OF UNCLEAN SPIRIT

Until Christ claims us in baptism through his Holy Spirit, we are under the power of the devil. Therefore I say: Depart from N, you unclean spirit, and make way for the Holy Spirit, in the name of the Father † and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit †.

Amen.

OPENING OF EARS AND MOUTH

The minister may touch the right and left ears and the lips of the candidate, as he says:

The Lord made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. Therefore in his name I say: Be opened, so that you may hear and speak the word of God.

SIGNING WITH THE CROSS

The minister makes the sign of the cross on the candidate's forehead and breast, and says:

N, receive the mark of the holy cross †, as a sign that Christ the crucified has redeemed you.

PRAYER

The minister says one or more of the following prayers.

EITHER

Let us thank our heavenly Father for the waters of baptism (by responding to each prayer with the words 'We thank you').

For your Spirit who in the beginning moved over the waters, breathing life into your creation, gracious Father:

We thank you.

For water, with which you nourish and sustain us and all living things, gracious Father:

We thank you.

For the waters of the flood, by which you brought judgment on the wicked world and saved Noah and his family, gracious Father:

We thank you.

For the waters of the Red Sea, through which you led your people out of slavery into the freedom of the promised land, gracious Father:

We thank you.

For the waters of the Jordan, in which your Son was baptised by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit, gracious Father:

We thank you.

For the baptism of his death, by which your Son set us free from death and opened up the way to eternal life, gracious Father:

We thank you.

Send down your Holy Spirit, so that as N is baptised in this water, he/she may be united with Christ in his death and resurrection; through whom we give you praise and honour, now and forever.

Amen.

Let us pray.

Gracious Father, we thank you that you led your people through the Red Sea out of slavery into the promised land; and that in the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptised by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. Send down your Holy Spirit on N, so that his/her sins may be washed away in the waters of baptism; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, look with favour on N. Set him/her free from the power of Satan, rescue him/her from the kingdom of darkness and death, and receive him/her into your kingdom of light and life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray.

Eternal God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Give N your grace through rebirth by the Holy Spirit. Receive him/her according to your promise: 'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you'. Wash him/her clean and make him/her holy, so that he/she may enter your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

RECEPTION OF GOSPEL

EITHER

N, receive the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ who says: Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

N, receive the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ who says: Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved.

N, receive the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ who says: I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God without being born again; no-one can enter the kingdom of God without being born through water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

LORD'S PRAYER

The minister places his hand on the head of the candidate. The sponsors and/or parents may do likewise. The minister says one of the following introductions.

EITHER

N, when Jesus taught his disciples to pray he gave them his own prayer. Receive the prayer of our Lord as we pray together:

Let us ask the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ on N, and pray together the prayer he has taught us:

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 forever. Amen.

TRANSITIONAL BLESSING

The Lord watch over you, as you go out and as you come in, now and forever.

Amen.

BAPTISM

RENUNCIATION AND CONFESSION

The minister leads the baptismal group to the font if they are not already there.

If the candidate is unable to speak, the minister may say:

Parents of N/Sponsors of N/Members of the congregation: Answer on behalf of N as he/she renounces the devil and declares allegiance to the Triune God.

The minister asks the candidate either of the following questions.

EITHER

N, do you renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways? (Say 'Yes, I do'.)

Yes, I do.

N, do you reject the devil and everything he does, so that you will no longer be led by him? (Say 'Yes, I do'.)

Yes, I do.

The minister continues with either of the following.

EITHER

N, do you believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth?

Yes, I do.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried? He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty, from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Yes, I do.

Do you 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?

Yes, I do.

Do you believe in the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven,

and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty,

from thence he will come 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.

* or: Christian; 'catholic' here means 'universal'

DESIRE FOR BAPTISM

(If the candidate is unable to speak, the following question may be omitted.)

N, do you want to be baptised? (Say 'Yes, I do'.)

Yes, I do.

BAPTISM

The minister applies water three times to the head of the candidate for baptism, naming each person of the holy Trinity in turn.

N, I baptise you in the name of the Father †

and of the Son †

and of the Holy Spirit †.

Amen.

LAYING ON OF HANDS

The minister either lays his right hand on the head of the newly baptised person or makes the sign of the cross on the forehead with oil prepared for this purpose, as he says one of the following.

EITHER

(May) God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you new birth by water and the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with his Spirit, so that you receive eternal life.

Amen.

(May) God the Father consecrate you with his Holy Spirit and anoint you as a member of his royal priesthood.

Amen.

BAPTISMAL GARMENT

The sponsors or a representative of the congregation may place a white garment on the baptised person as the minister or a sponsor or representative says:

N, put on this robe, for in baptism you have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ.

PRESENTATION OF CANDLE

A representative of the congregation or a sponsor may give a lighted candle to the baptised person, or, in the case of an infant or a young child, to a parent or sponsor. The person giving the candle says one of the following.

EITHER

You are the light of the world. Let your light shine to the glory of God the Father.

Because you belong to the Lord, you are in the light. So live as a child of the light.

CONCLUSION

Unless the baptism has been held in front of the altar, the minister leads the baptismal group to the altar.

PRAYER

The minister says one or more of the following prayers. If the litany-style prayer (the last one) is used, a selection of petitions may be prayed.

EITHER

Let us pray for N.

Heavenly Father, we join with N and N in thanking you for giving them N, and for adopting him/her as your child in holy baptism. Strengthen his/her faith by your Holy Spirit, so that his/her sinful self may die each day and he/she may rise to new life with Christ forever.

Amen.

Let us pray for N.

Merciful Father, we thank you that you extend your church throughout the world. As you have written N's name in the book of life and have made him/her a member of the body of your Son, guide him/her, so that, with all your saints, he/she may reach his/her heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for N.

Gracious Father, you grant forgiveness of sins and new life through baptism. Help N to take up his/her cross daily and follow his/her Lord Jesus Christ, so that when his/her life on earth is over, he/she may enter the joy of heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray for N.

Holy Father, renew N daily with your Holy Spirit, and fill him/her with your kindness, compassion, and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

For an adult

Let us pray for N.

Almighty Father, as you have set N free from the power of sin and Satan through this sacrament of baptism: Nourish him/her with the body and blood of your Son, so that he/she may daily fight the good fight, keep the faith, and win the victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray. (As we pray, respond to each prayer with the words 'Hear our prayer'.)

Gracious Father, as you have given N the new birth by your living word, help him/her to hear your word and treasure it in his/her heart, so that he/she may know your will and do it.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

As N has been united with your Son, renew and strengthen him/her with your Holy Spirit, so that he/she may grow in faith and confess you boldly before others.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

As N has died and been raised to new life with Christ, daily rid him/her of all the sin that clings to him/her, and clothe him/her with the kindness, humility, and patience of Christ.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

As N has been baptised into the body of Christ, nourish him/her with the bread of life and encourage him/her to live at peace with all the members of Christ's body.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

As N has been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of your dear Son, protect him/her from the powers of evil and give him/her the weapons to fight against the devil.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

As N has become your child and heir, keep him/her faithful and holy, so that he/she may inherit eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Other intercessions for the baptised and the parents may be made in the prayer of the church. A prayer for the family is at the end of the rite.

ADMISSION TO SACRAMENT OF ALTAR

When an older child or an adult is baptised, the minister says:

N, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I now admit you to the sacrament of the altar, and invite you to receive the body and blood of our Lord with joy and thanksgiving.

RECEPTION

The baptismal group and the minister face the congregation and the minister says:

Members of —– congregation: Receive N, whom God has given to us as our brother/sister in Christ. Pray for him/her and be a good example to him/her.

The congregation may respond with applause. A gift from the congregation and/or sponsors, including the certificate of baptism, may be presented.

PEACE

EITHER

The peace of the Lord † be with you.

Amen.

(May) the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times † and in every way.

Amen.

All return to their places. The service continues.

* * * * *

NOTE The following prayer for the family of a child may also be included in the prayer of the church.

Help N and N by your Holy Spirit to be examples of faith, hope, and love to their children. Keep this family and all of us at peace as members of your family.