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What is Holy Baptism? Our Book of Common Prayer tells us that, "Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble" (p.298). In other words, you are only baptized once. It sums up the biblical teaching that, "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" (p.858). At Baptism, we promise to "renounce Satan, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior" (p.858). Since the earliest Christian era, the Church has baptized not only adults, but also the children of those who are active members of the Christian community. In this case, parents and godparents act as sponsors for a child, making the promises of Baptism on his or her behalf. In addition, parents and godparents "guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him" (p.859). Upcoming baptism dates are Sundays except for Easter Vigil (April 7): |
