Baptisms
What is Holy Baptism?
Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as children and makes us members of the household of God. As the apostle Paul put it, we become members of the body of Christ doing Christ’s work in the world. In the liturgy of baptism, the priest says that the newly baptized person is “sealed by the Holy Spirit in baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever.” In baptism we are redeemed from our sins through God’s grace and empowered forevermore that we might grow into the full stature of Christ.
Preparation For Baptism
In preparation for baptism, we renounce all of the things that prevent us from being faithful followers of Jesus Christ, so that we can turn and follow him in the way of discipleship. We promise to God and to our fellow disciples that with God’s help we will:
- continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
- persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
- proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.
- seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves.
- strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.
We are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In baptism, we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Infants
Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God. The promises made for the infant at the time of Baptism by their parents and sponsors (some of whom may be godparents), are the ones who guarantee that the infant will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him. All people are baptized into the community of faith at St. Michael’s and the members of St. Michael’s promise to do “all in their power” to support the one being baptized. In baptism, we are spiritually knit together into the movement begun by Jesus two thousand years ago. Both the congregation and the parents of the baptized should have concrete plans as to how they will fulfill the promises that they make.
Holy Baptism Inquiry
If you are interested in Holy Baptism for yourself or your child, please fill out the form below and submit your information. You will be contacted soon to get you prepared for this powerful experience.