Bishop Eric Menees
Dear friends today we continue our examination of the 2019
BCP baptismal liturgy as we arrive at the heart of the service. The candidates
and sponsors have spent time in preparation, arrived at the church, and come
forward for the presentation and examination. The Church gathered has
proclaimed her common faith and lifted its voice in prayer pledging its support
for the candidates as a reminder that they will not walk alone but with the
Church, the bride of Christ, walking by their side. The candidates and sponsors
along with the clergy have gathered around the baptismal pool or font. The
bishop or priest has called upon the Holy Spirit to stir up the waters
transforming them into the cleansing waters of grace.
Immediately prior to the baptism, the celebrant asks the
sponsors to name the candidate or child. Of course, they were presented by name
earlier on. However, this is an opportunity for the candidate to take on a new
name as they take on a new identity as a Christian, a child of God.
Now the candidate enters the pool or approaches the font.
The candidate for baptism is lowered three times into the water or water is
poured over the head with the words “I baptize you in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” In that instant they die with Christ
and rise with Him in His resurrection. They are washed in the blood of the lamb
and regenerated. As St. Paul proclaims they become a new person in Jesus
Christ. (2 Cor. 5:17)
As soon as the new Christian comes out of the pool or steps
away from the baptismal font the celebrant anoints them with the oil of chrism
making the sign of the cross with one of two statements.
With the first option the newly baptized is anointed to be a
valiant and courageous believer fighting for Christ against the world, the
flesh, and the devil.
With the second option the baptizand is anointed, sealed,
and marked as Christ’s own. This is a reminder that we belong to Christ and are
counted as one of the 144,000 found in the seventh chapter of the Book of Revelation.
Lastly, the new Christian is either vested in white or
presented a candle. The vesting represents that we are washed clean in the
waters of baptism and the candle represents the light of Christ.
THE BAPTISM
The Bishop may say to
the Sponsors,
Name this Candidate/Child.
Then the Celebrant
immerses the Candidate or pours water upon the Candidate three times, saying
N., I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Bishop makes the
sign of the Cross upon the forehead of the newly baptized (and may use the Oil
of Chrism to do so), saying
N., receive the sign of the Cross as a token of your new
life in Christ, in which you shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of
Christ crucified, to fight bravely under his banner against the world, the
flesh, and the devil, and to continue as his faithful soldier
or this
N., you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked
as Christ’s own forever. Amen.
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