MEANING OF BAPTISM

Baptism is an important part of the Christian tradition that is traced back to Jesus himself being baptised in the river Jordan, and his command to make Christian disciples by baptising them. In baptism, we thank God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledge his love in giving life through identification with the death and resurrection of Jesus.

In the Anglican Church it is common to baptise young children; this is sometimes known as christening but the correct term is Baptism. Baptism is about giving thanks for the work of God in the life of the one being baptised. It also contains a public declaration of that faith in Christ. If an infant is being baptised, then the public declaration of faith is by the parents and the godparents.

At a child’s baptism, parents and godparents are making promises on behalf of the child who, God willing, will make the same public promises for themselves later in life (Confirmation). The promises by parents and godparents are about faith in Christ as well as making promises to do their utmost to raise their children/godchild to follow Jesus too. Thus parents and godparents need to be Christians themselves before they can be involved in a baptism.

BAPTISM AT ALL SAINTS?

All Saints is an Anglican church and practices both infant and adult baptism. Normally people need to be part of the regular worshipping congregation if they or their child are to be baptised. We provide preparation for baptism, and usually at least 2 months’ notice is required.

Please contact us by filling in the form at the end of this page, or by contacting our office—details can be found at the Contact page.

Baptism Services are carried out as part of a usual Sunday Service as the church makes promises at the Baptism to do all we can do to help the person being baptised to grow in their Christian life, that includes helping the child’s parents. Baptism also marks a welcome into the 'Church' which is more than just a building but it is the people of God and baptism is done supported by God’s people.

Baptism is done in the Christian name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit and so it is a public declaration of someone who has decided to be a Christian. It is not a ceremony to make a person an Anglican. Confirmation is the step into the Anglican membership.

All Saints is an international church and we recognise everyone’s baptism from whichever Christian church a person was baptised, as long as it was into the orthodox Christian faith as expressed in the Apostle’s Creed.