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Marked as Christ’s own for ever. *

No one is born a Christian. We become Christian. Baptism does not make someone an Episcopalian or Methodist or Baptist or Roman Catholic, it makes us a Christian. Baptism has eternal significance. Baptism incorporates us into the Body of Christ. We become Christians not by birth, but by the gathered community and the ritual of the church. To become a Christian, it doesn’t matter who our parents or grandparents are – we need to be baptized.

God’s grace is prevenient, meaning "going before." God is always reaching out to us and at work within us even before we are aware of God’s presence. That is why it is appropriate for infants and children to be baptized. It is not our knowledge that is essential to receiving God, only our openness. Infants and children are the best models of dependence and openness. God’s grace is sufficient and is freely given to all. From the beginning of Christianity, children were baptized along with others in their family (Acts 16:14-15, 29-34).

Baptism is future-oriented. Baptism is more than a momentary act; it is the beginning of a life-long pilgrimage. God pours out his spirit at Baptism, and then the child grows into faith. The rest of his/her earthly existence is to become sons and daughters of God, and Easter people of the Spirit. The baptismal life remains ahead as the child accesses the gifts given at Baptism. Baptism starts us on a life-long pilgrimage and it announces what we are to look like at the end of our pilgrimage: Jesus Christ.　

The Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism is a sacrament. A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. A sacrament is an encounter with Christ himself, and a sign that derives from Christ himself. It is a moment when Christ comes to us and acts within us and among us. A sacrament has great power and potential to transform.

Sacraments are outward and visible signs of what we can’t see, which is God’s grace working within us. Sacraments are God’s way of coming into our life – as he did supremely by becoming flesh and blood for us in Jesus of Nazareth. At Baptism, with God’s help, we will create a new child of God.

Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God. (BCP page # 858)

Your child will never need to be re-baptized; it is once for all. Once baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, your child is a member of Christ, the Christian Church in it’s most inclusive sense.

Baptism is a precious gift given by God through the church, that parents have the privilege of offering to children.　 It is a gift meant to last a lifetime and beyond.　 Baptism is the gift of new life, the life of our risen Lord.　　 God's love and salvation are not earned but are offered to us as a gift.　 Baptism is a reminder of this.　

God give the gift of his grace.　 God's grace is his love and acceptance offered unconditionally to us.　

Infant Baptism is a sign of God's desire to give us "more than we can ask for or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).　 The tiny baby cannot ask for or even imagine the richness of new life in God.　

The church showers gifts on its newest members.　 Through Baptism, God gives: the risen life of Christ, the Holy Spirit, victory over death, strength, and community.　

Immediately after the Baptism, the Priest asks God to give them the gifts of "an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all　your works." (page 308 in the Book of Common Prayer baptismal service).　

Jesus, our baptismal Good Shepherd　

Jesus has revealed himself to us in many ways, the image of the Good Shepherd is particularly rich in relation to the sacrament of Baptism.　 At our Baptism, Christ, the Good Shepherd, comes to meet us and claim us as his own: he "calls his own sheep by name" (John 10:3). We are marked with his sign, the cross, to show that we belong to him.　 Through water and the word, we receive his light and life.　 We are called, we are known personally, as we enter his sheepfold, the church.　

Our Baptism is the beginning of a life-long journey of awakening to the fullness of life that Jesus came to give us and a journey toward realizing who we really are: beloved sheep of the Good Shepherd, precious members of his sheepfold, the church.　

The parents of the child should be active members of St. James Parish, because church membership is a key part of Christian faith and discipleship. Both parents should be baptized Christians, practicing their faith.

The parents should have the sincere intention of bringing up the child in the church, not apart from it. It is sad when parents have their children baptized and then drop out of church participation for years.

Traditionally it has been customary for parents to receive instruction prior to their child’s Baptism. The clergy of St. James are available and would be pleased to talk with you and answer any questions you may have about this celebration of new life, so that you can make an informed commitment in good faith, and be better equipped to fulfill the responsibilities of Baptism. Below is what the Book of Common Prayer instructs about Baptism in the catechism on page 858, in question/answer form:　

Q. What is Holy Baptism?

A. Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God.

Q. What is the outward and visible sign in Baptism?

A. The outward and visible sign in Baptism is water, in which the person is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Q. What is the inward and spiritual grace in Baptism?

A. The inward and spiritual grace in Baptism is union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God’s family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit.

Q. What is required of us at Baptism?

A. It is required that we renounce Satan, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Q. Why then are infants baptized?

A. Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God.

Q. How are the promises for infants made and carried out?

A. Promises are made for them by their parents and sponsors, who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him.　

Bringing up the child in the Christian faith and life　

When Jesus was instructing about himself as the Good Shepherd of the sheep he said, "When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice " (John 10:4).　 Baptism is the beginning of a journey.　 Throughout this journey we are meant to enjoy the Good Shepherd's presence in our lives, and to experience his care and protection, to grow in love of him and in our knowledge of his endless love for us.　　 As the journey continues, we become more capable of hearing his voice, of following where he leads, and of growing and changing to become more like him.　

Children need help on this journey - and the help of the entire Christian community - to become aware of the wonderful gift given in Baptism.　

The Baptismal Covenant on page 304 of the Book of Common Prayer includes a promise to "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers."　 It is important to be faithful at worship, and to be fed regularly at the Lord's Table, to pray, and to stay connected to Christ's body, the church.　

St. James Parish is committed to being available to help you, but not to take your place.　 The church will aid you in your living into your Baptism, so that you might be able to help your child, with God's help, to live into his or her Baptism.

Church Responsibilities　

The parents do not stand alone in their responsibilities toward their baptized children.　 They stand as part of the community of believers.　 The church shares responsibility with the parents for providing a ministry of worship, prayer, teaching, fellowship, and nurture, which will enable all the children within the Christian community to grow toward spiritual maturity and discipleship.　 Every congregation has the obligation to provide the most effective ministry and opportunities for Christian Formation through all the ages and stages of life.　

There are no solitary Christians.　 We are part of community.　 The congregation owes their best　effort to the baptized child, to help them along in their Christian journey.　 The congregation is the family of faith.　

Baptism is the sacrament that represents a covenant with three parties: God, the community of faith, and the child.　

Throughout the child's life, St. James Parish will　take seriously its responsibility to provide nurture, instruction, and support for the child. The church fulfills this responsibility best when the child's parents are connected to and fully participate in the church.　 The church is most effective in its work with a child when it is able to be in partnership with the child's parents.　

Salvation　

We need a savior.　 Left to our own resources we will choose sin; just like Adam and Eve did.　 After Baptism, we have gifts and resources that we can call on for the rest of our lives.　

In baptism, we are joined with Christ, in a new life with him.　 At Baptism we renounce Satan, evil powers, and sinful desires, and turn to Jesus Christ, trust in his grace and love, and promise to obey him as Lord.　 We are living members of a living Christ.　 It takes a lifetime to fully mature into the likeness of Christ.　 His salvation is always available to us as we journey close to him.　 Whenever we repent, whenever we turn around and turn to Christ, he awaits us with open, outstretched arms.　

Baptism does not save, God saves.　 Baptism is the moment when we celebrate our acceptance of God's salvation. The children we bring for Baptism are not sinful, but they will be forced to contend with the same forces of sin and evil that affects everyone.　 Christ provides the means to overcome the powers of sin in our lives.　

Water　

Jesus said, "The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life" (John 4:14).　 Water is a sign of life.　 To have a spring within oneself is a promise of eternal life.　 Water is the one essential sign of Baptism.　 It gives the baptized person the gift of the Holy Spirit and new life in Christ.　

In Baptism, the children pass through water as a sign of their participation in the death of Christ and his emergence into freedom.　 Jesus passed through his death on a cross and into the freedom of risen life.　 Baptism is an experience of "dying" to "rise again."　 In Baptism, the children are freed from the power of death.　

The use of water symbolizes cleansing, purification, nurture, and new creation.　 You and your child enter a new stage in your relationship to God, using an element that is necessary for existence for living creatures.　　 Before the water is poured over the child's head, the Priest holds out his/her hand and lowers it down over the water.　 With this gesture, God is asked to send the Holy Spirit into the water.　 The Holy Spirit is powerful and active.　 The water becomes holy, and it is used　by the Holy　Spirit.　 When the children pass through the water, they too are filled with the Holy Spirit.　 The Spirit within them is the "spring of water gushing up to eternal life" and the source of the power of God's love in their lives.

Sealed by the Holy Spirit in baptism　

"Messiah" and "Christ" are both words that mean anointed.　 We call Jesus our Messiah and Christ because he is our Savior.　 God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit to do his saving work.　 When children are baptized, they become a part of Jesus and anointed with the Holy Spirit to share in Christ's ministry.　 The Priest makes a cross on each child's forehead with oil to show that God has chosen them to be his own forever.　 Your child is marked by the power of the cross, marked as Christ's own forever!　

The newly baptized is anointed with chrism, which is oil mixed with perfume and consecrated by a bishop.　 Because it has been consecrated by the bishop to be used at Baptism, then the Bishop is symbolically present.　 Chrism is a joyful affirmation of the new life received and of the children's future ministry in the church.　 Since ancient times, oil has been used to anoint prophets, priests, and kings.　 Our use of it ties us together with the heritage of prophets, priests, and kings, as we are called to be part of Christ's kingdom.　

The Light of Christ　

Every Easter, the Paschal candle is lit as a sign of the risen life of Christ.　 This new life is stronger than death, it shines brightly in the world as a sign of hope and of the strength of God's love.　 At every Baptism at St. James church, we light the Paschal candle to remind us that in Baptism we join in Jesus' Easter life. Jesus tells us, "I am the light of the world.　 Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).　 The lit Paschal candle proclaims that

Jesus is risen.　 A small candle for each child is lit from the Paschal candle reminding us that these children now share in the light of Jesus' risen life.　 The baptismal light will continue to shine in the darkness of life's challenges.　 As the Priest gives a candle to each family, the family is reminded that baptized people walk in the light of Christ all the days of their life. 　

You may want to start a family tradition of having a special meal on the anniversary of your child's Baptism, light the candle again, look at pictures of that baptismal day, and talk about your family's faith.　

Born Again　

Jesus' words to Nicodemus, "No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born again"　 (John 3:3).　

The words "born again" may mean different things to different people.　 Even Nicodemus asked Jesus to explain.　 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit.　 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the spirit gives birth to spirit" (John 3:5 & 6).　 In Baptism we are given a new beginning - we are born again.　 Our spiritual lives have a beginning, just like our physical lives.　 We are born again by water and the Spirit.　 At the child's first birth they were born into a physical family, when the child is born again they join the household of God in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.　

In our baptismal service, in the Book of Common Prayer, the Priest prays to ask God to bless the water, "Now sanctify this water by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior" we see that in Baptism we are given this new life and born again.　

The beginnings of Baptism　

Baptism comes from　a Greek word meaning to immerse, or to dip for washing, or a ceremonial washing.　

A baptism was administered by Jews to Gentiles who converted to Judaism.　 It cleansed them from the stains of being a heathen, and made them fit to be joined with the chosen people of God.　 The baptism through water joined them with the Jewish heritage of deliverance from slavery by crossing the Red Sea.　

John was a preacher of righteousness.　 He called both Jews and Gentiles to repent, and to prepare for the coming of God's judgment.　 He was preparing the way for the Messiah to come.　 Those who repented, John baptized as a sign of their inward conversion and their hope of salvation in the coming day of Judgment.　

Jesus received baptism at the hands of John the Baptist.　 As Jesus came up from the baptismal waters, the Holy Spirit descended on him.　 Those who want to become Christians also are baptized with the water and the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus told Nicodemus to join the kingdom of God by water and the Spirit.　

In the book of Acts and the Epistles of the New Testament we learn that Baptism was the way people were initiated into the Christian Church.　 Much of the words and formula of the baptismal service in the current Book of Common Prayer date back to Baptisms of the early church era.　 Where ever enough water was available, Baptism was done　by full immersion to signify death and new life in Christ.　 By the year 200, candidates for baptism dedicated three years for their baptismal preparation.　

Choosing Godparents/Sponsors　

Choosing the godparents requires much thought, prayer, and discussion.　 It is a great honor, but also a great responsibility.　 A godparent will enter into a relationship of spiritual nurture with your child.　 A godparent will have a life-long relationship to support their growth in faith.　

You are looking for

- someone who is a mature member of the church, one who has been baptized and frequently attends church

- someone who can talk about their faith

- someone who can share with you the task of handing on the Christian faith.

- someone whose life demonstrates faith in both big and small ways in everyday living

- someone you can call on for help

- someone who knows that being a Christian has to do with prayer

- someone who will pray for your child

- someone who is willing to have a special, ongoing relationship with your child　

The child being baptized needs persons in their life who are seeking to grow in faith.　 Life is filled with challenges.　 The adults who surround this child need to be ones who recognize the power of faith and the value of being connected to a community of faith.　　

Celebrating the Anniversary of your child’s Baptism　

The day of Baptism is as significant a date to be remembered and celebrated as the day of the child's birth.　 It is the day when the child is initiated into the body of Christ, the church.　 Make an annual remembrance that is observed in ways that are different from your child's birthday celebrations.　 As your child gets older, describe the service and what led to your decision to bring this child to church for Baptism.　 Light the baptismal candle each year.　 Share the photographs and other mementos from that day, such as this booklet.　 Talk about your faith, and deepen the special relationship with godparents.　 Read together the story of Jesus’ Baptism - Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:31-34.　

A note to Godparents　

An invitation to be a godparent is an invitation to a lifelong spiritual friendship.

　- Are you willing to share your own gift of faith?

- Are you willing to share your own experience of God?

- Will you make your godchild aware that God loves them unconditionally?

- Will you accompany this child on the Christian journey, where we "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7)?

- Are you ready to help and support the parents as they raise this child?

- Will you be available to this child as s/he grows?

- Will you continue to pray for this child, even when you are separated by a great distance?

- Will you love and cherish this child?

- Will you take an interest in his/her life in the Christian community?　

Godparents serve an important role as mentors or friends-in-faith.　 Godparents link the children to their Baptism and help them to grow in their faith.　 A godparent is one more caring adult in their life - a person who continues to make a faith connection with them that does not end when either one moves geographically apart.　

Being a godparent is not a legal responsibility, but a faith commitment.　 A godparent is a friend-in-faith who makes a commitment to remain involved in the child's life to be a resource for the child as s/he grows in faith.　

Celebrate the anniversary of the child's Baptism, it is a spiritual birthday.　 Send a note, rather than a gift, each year on the baptismal anniversary to focus attention on the spiritual rather than the material importance of your relationship.　 At the child's celebration of First Communion and Confirmation send a Bible, Book of Common Prayer, devotional material, or religious jewelry.

When Baptism is Celebrated　

On page 312 of the Book of Common Prayer we are instructed that Holy Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, All Saint's Day or the following Sunday, and on the First Sunday after the Epiphany (the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord).　 Baptism is usually celebrated within the Eucharist at a public service.　 At St. James Parish, we also schedule three or four additional baptismal dates throughout the year.　 You may need to wait a few weeks until the next available weekend for baptism.

Public Baptism　

Baptism is an occasion for the entire Church community. Without the congregation present to welcome the child and to promise to nurture and support he child, the baptismal covenant is essentially incomplete.　 Baptism is a sacrament that represents a covenant with three parties : God, the community of faith, and the child.　 Through baptism, the church welcomes persons into the community of faith, the household of God.　 On page 312 of the Book of Common Prayer we are instructed that : Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast. Baptism is a corporate celebration.

Photography　

Because the baptismal ceremony is part of the liturgical service of worship, it is not appropriate to interrupt it by taking photographs in an intrusive manner, and certainly not using a flash.　 Video cameras are an unobtrusive way to record the special event.　 Photographs may be taken after the service.　 The family and the Priest can pose by the baptismal font after the service.　

We encourage photographs because they can be used in subsequent years to remember this powerful miracle of re-birth.　 Because the child is too young to remember, it is important to have pictures so they can "see" the special occasion of their baptism.

The large marble baptismal font near the front of the church at St. James Parish was given in the late 1800’s in memory of Mrs. Eliza J. DeRossett 1812-1875. In order for more people to see Baptisms taking place, Baptisms are currently done in the center of the church using a large silver basin given in memory of Robert Yates Janus who died in 1999. The silver ewer of water for these baptisms in the center of the church is kept in the historic marble font until the time of the Baptism, thus tying together the traditional and the current. When Baptisms are done at Mt. Lebanon chapel, or other satellite locations, the Janus silver is used.　

　A prayer for families who have a child to be baptized　

All praise and thanks to you, most merciful Father, for adopting us as your own children, for incorporating us into your holy church, and for making us worthy to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.　 Bless with your grace and favor the children we bring to you for Baptism, that learning your ways and living in obedience to your will, they may grow into strong and beautiful maturity of Christian character.　 Defend them from all evil and lead them into the paths of goodness and truth.　 May they grow more and more into the likeness of our Savior Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit we glorify now and for ever.　 Amen.

(Adapted from BCP 311, and a sponsor's prayer)

Episcopal Church

The Rev. Ron G. Abrams, Rector

25 South Third Street

Wilmington, NC 28401

910-763-1628

www.stjamesp.org