The Order for Baptism of Adults

Before adults are baptized, the Spiritual Council shall be satisfied that they understand the fundamental truths of the Christian religion, and promise to be governed by them in their lives.

Adults should be baptized in the presence of a worshipping congregation except in cases of extremity, when the Sacrament may be administered privately in the presence of one or more Elders.

The Minister shall immediately confirm the baptized person by prayer, the laying on of hands, and the blessing.

The Minister shall say,

Our Lord Jesus Christ said, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.

Dearly Beloved; Hear the words of the institution of the Sacrament of Baptism: Jesus came and spake unto his disciples, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

The Apostle Peter also on the day of Pentecost, called upon the people, saying, Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Let us pray.

We beseech thee, O Lord, to admit into the covenant of thy grace, this thy servant, now to be baptized according to thy Word and to be received into the fellowship of thy Church. Sanctify him with thy Spirit, confirm his faith in thee, and grant that, being conformed to the image of thy Son, he may ever serve thee in newness of life, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Congregation shall stand and the Minister, addressing the person to be baptized, shall say,

Dearly Beloved; You have come here desiring to confess your faith in Christ and to receive Holy Baptism. Our Lord Jesus Christ has promised in his Word to grant forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit unto all who repent and turn to him.

Wherefore, trusting this assurance given by our Lord, you will now faithfully promise in the presence of God and this Congregation, to do those things which God requires of you in bestowing his Holy Baptism.

Do you now, in the presence of God and this Congregation, renounce the vain pomp and glory of the world, the lust of the flesh, and all evil works and ways?

I do.

Let us confess our Faith.

I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, 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 sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost: The Holy Catholic Church**; The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of sins: The Resurrection of the body: And the Life everlasting. Amen.

Do you sincerely desire to be baptized into this Faith?

I do.

Do you solemnly consecrate yourself forever to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the service of his Church; and do you promise in his strength to lead a sober, righteous and godly life?

I do.

The person to be baptized shall then kneel. The Minister shall pronounce the Christian name and baptize him, applying the water three times, and saying,

N_________, I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Let us pray.

Then the Minister with the laying on of hands, shall pronounce one of the following blessings:

Let us pray.

We give thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, for the great goodness thou hast been pleased to show toward this thy servant by giving him power this day to accept for himself thy covenant of salvation. And now, O Lord, we beseech thee, perfect the good work which thou hast begun in him. Keep him from the evil that is in the world. Make him faithful unto death, that no man may take from him his crown. And grant, that having continued thus steadfast in faith and hope to the end, he may be counted worthy to be joined with thy saints in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The baptized person shall then rise, and the Minister, extending the right hand of fellowship, shall say,

I now receive and welcome you into the fellowship of this Congregation, and invite you to partake of the Holy Communion and to participate in all the privileges and obligations of the Church of Christ.

Then the Minister shall say,

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Amen.

Conditional Baptism

If there be reasonable doubt whether any person has been duly baptized, such a person may be baptized in accordance with one of the forms provided above; excepting that at the application of the water the Minister shall say:

If thou art not already baptized, N_________, I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.