A Believer's Baptismal Liturgy

Church traditions that practice the baptism of believers tend not to prescribe specific texts for various liturgical acts and sacraments. Thus, the following service is only one possibility from among the variety of approaches to a service of believer's baptism. This text is taken from Orders and Prayers for Church Worship: A Manual for Ministers, compiled by Ernest A. Page and Stephen F. Winward (1960).

Baptism should be administered in the presence of the congregation during public worship. Since we are baptized into the church, it is desirable that baptism should, if possible, be followed by the Lord's Supper, at which the reception of the new members should take place. After the singing of a baptismal hymn, the minister may read a selection from the following passages of Scripture. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John … (Matt. 3:13–17, rsv). (At this point the service includes the following passages, the texts of which are given in full: Luke 3:21–22; John 3:5–8; Acts 2:38; 41–42; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; Romans 10:9–11; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13; Galatians 3:26–28; Colossians 2:12; 1 Timothy 6:12; 1 Peter 3:21–22. The following additional passages are also suitable, especially for the main New Testament lesson during the service: Mark 1:1–13; Acts 8:26–40; Acts 9:1–19; Acts 10:34–48; Acts 16:11–15; Acts 16:16–34; Acts 19:1–7; Ephesians 4:1–6; Ephesians 5:21–33; Colossians 3:1–17; Titus 3:4–7; Hebrews 10:19–25; 1 John 5:6–12.) The minister may conclude the selected readings as follows: "?Jesus came and said to them .…?" (Matt. 28:18–20, rsv). The minister may then say: Beloved brethren: You have just heard how our Lord Jesus Christ after his glorious resurrection and before his ascension into heaven, commanded his apostles to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Let us now set forth the great benefits which we are to receive from the Lord, according to his word and promise, in this holy sacrament. In baptism we are united with Christ through faith, dying with him unto sin and rising with him unto newness of life. The washing of our bodies with water is the outward and visible sign of the cleansing of our souls from sin through the sacrifice of our Savior. The Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, by whose unseen operation we have already been brought to repentance and faith, is given and sealed to us in this sacrament of grace. By this same Holy Spirit, we are baptized into one body and made members of the holy catholic and apostolic church, the blessed company of all Christ's faithful people. These great benefits are promised and pledged to those who profess repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. For all such believers baptism is: an act of obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ; a following of the example of our Lord Jesus Christ who was baptized in the river Jordan, that he might fulfill all righteousness; a public confession of personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; a vow or pledge of allegiance to Jesus Christ; an engagement to be his forever. Addressing those who are to be baptized, the minister shall say: Forasmuch as you now present yourselves for baptism, it is necessary that you sincerely give answer, before God and his church, to the questions which I now put to you. Then he says to each person to be baptized: Do you make profession of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ? Answer: I do. Do you promise, in dependence on divine grace, to follow Christ and serve him forever in the fellowship of his church? Answer: I do. Then shall follow the prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, we give thee humble and hearty thanks for our Savior Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. Graciously accept, we beseech thee, these thy servants, that they, coming to thee in baptism, may by faith be united with Christ in his Church, and receive according to thy promise the forgiveness of their sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Grant that they, putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, may receive out of his fullness and evermore abide in him. Keep them strong in faith, steadfast in hope, abounding in love. Bestow upon them the manifold gifts of thy grace, that they may serve thee profitably in thy Church. Defend them in all trials and temptations, and grant that, persevering to the end, they may inherit eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. As each person to be baptized stands in the water, the minister shall pronounce his or her names, and say: On thy profession of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. After each baptism, the minister may say: The Lord bless thee and keep thee: the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace. Alternatively the choir and congregation may sing after each baptism, or at the conclusion of the baptisms, one of the baptismal sentences from the hymn book, or the verse of a hymn, or the doxology. After the baptisms, one of the following prayers may be offered: Eternal Father, keep, we beseech thee, thy servants from falling, and present them faultless before the presence of thy glory with exceeding joy, and unto thee, the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. Teach them, good Lord, to serve thee with loyal and steadfast hearts; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to strive and not to seek for rest; to labor and to ask for no reward, save that of knowing that they do thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Grant, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we may be buried with him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God of hope, fill them with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, they may abound in hope: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God of peace, who broughtest again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip them with everything good that they may do thy will, and work in them that which is pleasing in thy sight: through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. If desired, a hymn may now follow, and the normal order of public worship be continued. If it be the end of the service, the minister may say: Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. or May God Almighty, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, and that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God. Amen. or The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. Christian Initiation (1980) Among Baptists of late there has been a growing tendency to bring closer together the act of baptism, reception into membership, and admission to Communion. In other branches of the church at the same time, there has been a tendency to see the wholeness of Christian initiation in terms of strengthening the links between baptism, confession of faith (or confirmation), and Communion. One result of this theological discussion for Baptists is that the act of baptism as a confession of faith is increasingly seen as part of a larger act of initiation which often finds expression in one service of baptism and Communion. The practice however is by no means universal, many ministers and churches preferring to separate baptism and reception into membership either by several hours on the same day or perhaps even by several weeks. Those who wish to do this should have no difficulty in taking what is outlined below and dividing it to suit their purposes. In either case, however, five essential elements in the whole process of Christian initiation should find expression in the worship, whether it is in one service or in two. They are: (1) Reading of Scripture (including the Gospel) and our reasons for engaging in Christian initiation, including the fact that baptism bears witness to what God has done and continues to do and that our act of baptism is our response to that love (2) Profession of faith and commitment (3) Prayers, including a prayer for God's action in the Spirit that those who are baptized may become children of God entering into newness of life in Christ, becoming part of his body, and sharing his Spirit (4) Baptism in the name of the Trinity, possibly with the laying on of hands (5) Reception into membership and admission to Communion Order of Service THE PREPARATION Call to worship Hymn Prayer of confession and assurance of forgiveness Responsive reading THE WORD Reading of Scripture Hymn Sermon THE RESPONSE Statement of belief concerning Christian initiation, including Gospel reading Baptismal hymn. Act of baptism Invitation to baptism Offering Prayers of intercession THE COMMUNION Hymn Reception into membership Presentation of gifts including bread and wine Prayer of thanksgiving Words of institution Distribution of elements Commentary Perspectives. Of the baptismal liturgies included in this series, this particular text is the most didactic, featuring the reading of several portions of Scripture and several sentences of explanation regarding the nature of the sacrament. This explanation is helpful in making clear the nature of the sacrament and may be the basis for study and reflection prior to the service itself. The text of this liturgy suggests an emphasis on the action of the baptismal candidates as an "?act of obedience,?" "?a following of Christ's example,?" a "?confession of faith,?" and a "?vow of allegiance,?" an emphasis expected in a service constructed for only the baptism of a declared believer. This takes some emphasis away from the understanding of baptism as being primarily God's activity, by which the candidate is united with Christ and the church. This emphasis highlights one theological difference between the traditions which practice the exclusive baptism of adult believers and other traditions represented in this series. Suggestions for Appropriation. Prior to the text of this liturgy, the worship leader should introduce the baptismal candidate to the congregation and indicate to the candidate the joy of the congregation at the occasion. An appropriate congregational response is suggested in the commentary on the ecumenical liturgy in this series. Several of the Scripture passages may be read by members of the family of the candidate for baptism or other appropriate members of the congregation. The explanation of the nature of baptism may be read either by the pastor of the local congregation, or by an elder, an office-bearer, or a member of the supervisory board of the congregation, reflecting their responsibility for the supervision of the sacrament. The prayer which immediately precedes the baptism and offers petitions on behalf of the candidate may be concluded by an anthem or hymn whose text offers similar petitions. After the baptism, the text of the blessing may be sung by the congregation or a choir. Following the entire baptismal service, the worship leader or pastor may offer additional personal words of encouragement to the one baptized. At this point, the one baptized may be given opportunity to express the nature of his/her journey in the faith and to ask for the continued support of the congregation. The congregation may respond by singing a hymn of encouragement to the one baptized, such as, "?If You Will Trust in God to Guide You?"; by joining the one baptized in singing a hymn of commitment, such as, "?O Jesus, I Have Promised?"; or by singing a hymn that is a prayer for God's continued presence, such as, "?O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee.?" In any case, the specific nature and purpose of the hymn text chosen should be carefully identified for the congregation.