Baptism Booklet

What is your faith and what do you call yourself?

I am a Christian.

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Why are you a Christian?

Because I believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, who has become my Savior, Deliverer and Redeemer. (Mt. 1:21)

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What is the duty of a Christian?

To truly learn to know God, his Creator, and Jesus Christ his Savior and Redeemer from God's revealed Word, and how properly to call upon, believe, love and trust Him, and serve, glorify and praise Him.  (Eph. 4:8, Cor. 12:5, 1 Joh. 3)

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How is He named and called?

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  (Mt. 28:14)

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Who created you?

The eternal, one and uncreated God, the great Creator of Heaven and Earth who is all powerful; the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords, who possesses immortality and lives in a light whither no one can come, which no man hath seen, nor can see, to whom be honor and glory forever. Amen.  (1 Tim. 6:16)

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In what way did God create you?

In His image.  (Gen. 1:27)

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What is His image?

God’s righteousness, His holiness and immortality.  (Num. 14:14, 1 Pet. 1:6)

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Whither comes it that you are a sinful person?

From the Devil and the disobedience of man.  (Gen. 3:6)

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What is sin?

Sin is everything which is against the commandments of God, be it inwardly or outwardly. (1 Joh. 3:4, 5:17)

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What do we deserve because of sin?

God’s wrath, all plagues and damnation.  (1 Cor. 6:9, Rom. 2:5)

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Who saves you from all sin, from death and from damnation?

God the Son. (Rom. 8:32)

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How is God the Son called?

Jesus Christ.  (Mt. 1:21, Luk. 2:21)

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Why is He called Jesus?

Because He is our Savior, Deliverer and Redeemer. (Mt. 1:21)

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Why is He called Christ?

Because He is our Anointed King and High Priest.  (Luk. 1:33, Heb. 1:9)

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Who is the Lord Jesus Christ?

He is true God and true man.  (Rom. 1:3-4)

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From whom does He have His divinity?

From God, His heavenly Father, for He was with Him from the beginning of time and eternity.  (Heb. 1:2, Joh. 1:4)

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From whom does the Lord Jesus Christ have His humanity?

From the virgin Mary, when she conceived Him in faith and bore Him into the world, whereupon He became like unto His brothers in all things except sin.  (Luk. 1:35, 2:6, Heb. 2:14)

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Wherewith hath the Lord Jesus freed you?

With His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.  (Acts 20:28, 1 Pet. 1:19)

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From what has He saved you?

From the power of sin, and from eternal death and damnation.  (2 Tim. 1:10)

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What has Christ accomplished with His salvation, or through the sacrifice of His Body?

Forgiveness of sins, righteousness, the Holy Spirit and eternal life. 

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Where did the Lord Jesus Christ go after His suffering, death and resurrection?

Into heaven, where He sat Himself at the right hand of the Father.

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Has then His presence and being with us here on earth been all taken away?

No, for He says in the gospel: 'Lo, I am with you always until the end of the world.' and “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.'

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Does the Lord Jesus think of us also in Heaven?

Yes. He is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

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Since Christ has set Himself at the right hand of the Father there, how then can He come to us?

Through His divine power and through His Spirit. For I will pour out my spirit over all flesh, promises God, and Christ promises also, that the Father would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.  (Joel 3:1, Joh. 14:26)

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What is the Holy Spirit?

A godly power, an eternal, incomprehensible and invisible being, which with the Father and the Son from the beginning and from eternity has been one, and will also remain one forever; which Holy Spirit formerly has spoken through the holy prophets, and in these last times, according to the promise and petition of Christ and goes out from the Father and the Son, and teaches, enlightens, comforts, strengthens and also sanctifies those predestined to life.  (Joh. 1:1, 15:26, 16:13)

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How does one participate in the Holy Spirit and His workings?

Through faith and godly obedience.

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What is faith?

Faith is a certain confidence in God’s promises, when one holds for certain and true what God’s Word says and promises, especially of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, of His promises and incarnation, and of the grace He has won and the eternal life which He has gained for us and given to us through His death and the shedding of His blood.  (Heb. 11:1)

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What is godly obedience?

When one puts his own will in God’s will, and after one knows God’s will, endeavors from the heart to walk according to God’s will.

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How is one confirmed and assured in the faith?

Through the Word of God and through the Holy Spirit, when one receives baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness and remission of sin.

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What is baptism?

Baptism is an outward work, ordained and commanded by the Lord Jesus Himself, and transpires with the pouring on of water in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

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What does water baptism teach and mean?

It teaches and means that the old Adam in us through daily remorse and repentance shall be drowned, die and be buried, and that on the contrary shall rise again and come forth a new man, who shall live in righteousness and holiness in the presence of God forever.

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What is the old Adam?

All sinful and wicked desires and vices, which are born in us, which can also be reckoned to original sin.

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How shall the old Adam in us be drowned, killed and buried?

Through daily remorse and repentance and abstinence from all sins and wicked desires, that one not let wickedness rule and break out any more.

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What is the 'new man'?

Nothing other than the accomplishing of the will of God, and the new godly obedience, which the Holy Spirit works in us, when He continually moves our hearts and minds from bad to good, and leads us in all truth.

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How is such to be proven?

Paul says to the Romans (in the sixth chapter): “Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death; so that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even also might we walk in newness of life.'

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What does the apostle mean with these words?

He means that just as Christ died and was buried physically, so also should we kill and bury spiritually wicked temptations and sinful lusts in us; that is, overcome them, that they no more break out and rule over us. And as Christ was bodily resurrected from the dead, and dies no more, thus the Apostle wills that we should also, through the help and through the assistance of the Holy Spirit, enter into a heavenly life, and continue steadfastly therein until the end.

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Can one also fall away again from goodness and from the grace of God?

Yes indeed! It one does not walk in constant fear and holy attention, then one can quite easily fall away from grace. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands, says Paul, take heed lest he fall.  (1 Cor. 10:12)  

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Then, what happens to such people, who fall away and cast off God's grace?

Because they hurt and provoke the Holy Spirit of God with their sin, He departs from them and gives them over to the lusts of their hearts, which are of no value.

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Do such as have subsequently angered God with their sins and despise His grace have hereafter no hope of salvation?

No! For as long as they persist in sin, nothing else is promised them but the displeasure of God, tribulation and fear, and an expectation of a terrible judgment. But if they repent, however, are sorry for their sins and convert, then God is true and lets them in His name be shown peace and forgiveness of sins.

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Through whom does God let His peace and forgiveness of sins be proclaimed and given?

Through His teachers and ministers, who are stewards and emissaries of Christ.

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From whom do the teachers and ministers have the power to proclaim peace and forgiveness of sins?

From the Lord Jesus Himself. For He gave them two keys: one to loosen, the other to bind. “And He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If ye forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’'

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What is the key to bind?

Nothing other than the ban, with which the unrepentant sinner is put out from the community, in order that they may thereby be led to repentance and may come to the grace of God again.

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What is the key to loosen?

It is the power of the ministers of Christ, through which they remit the sins of the repentant sinner in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and accept them again into the communion of saints.

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What is the communion of saints?

          The communion of saints is firstly: nothing else than the new covenant of grace in Christ; for all who accept Christ through faith and follow Him may expect the same wages and the same salvation, through His name and what He has earned for us. For no more is there Greek, nor Jew, or circumcision: but over all and in all Christ. He the Head and we His believers, His members; we in Him and He in us. He in the Father and the Father in Him. 

          And secondly, that too is the communion of saints, when the believers serve one another with surrendered hearts; none says of his goods, that they are his, but “they held all things common; and they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, as any had need.' (Acts 2:44-45) 

          And thus whosoever truly lives in such a communion of saints here in this time and also remains true and persists to the end, he will also in that time be found in that communion of saints in the time to come; then Christ will say, (Mt. 25:34) “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'

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What happens to a man when he has died and been buried in the earth?

          The dead body, which is buried in the earth, decomposes, and becomes again dust and earth, for, as God said to Adam: (Gen. 3:19) “You are dust and to dust you shall return.'

The soul, however, which lives in the man’s body, is immortal and eternal; and if its house, that is, its body, breaks down and dies, then God takes it to Himself again, and will give it a new and transfigured body, which will be like unto the angels, and will see and enjoy all the glory obtained through the Lord Christ.

          But how, and at what time such will take place, God has hidden from us, and has retained it only in His omniscience and power. And it is also unnecessary to want to know it, or to write about it, for we believers have in the words of our Savior Jesus Christ enough, when He promises us with His truthful mouth that we will not see death eternally, and that we will never more die. Yes, although we die according to the natural body, nevertheless we shall live. And that we, after casting aside this mortal body, shall sit in Heaven with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; we shall be like the angels of God in Heaven; yes, that we shall be where He is. “And when I go to prepare a place for you,' says the Lord Jesus. “I will come again, and will take you to myself; that where I am you may be also.' (John 14:3)

          And as He also asks in His high priestly prayer to His heavenly Father, saying: “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given me, may be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which Thou hast given me: for Thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.' (John 17:24)

          And thus the passing away of the pious and believing is not death, but a change from the temporal into the eternal life. For he is “passed from death to life' says the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 5:24)

The grace of God our Lord Jesus Christ, 

And the love of God the Father,

And the communion of the Holy Spirit, 

Be with you and with us all. Amen.

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Do you also have true faith?

Yes.

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What is true faith?

A gift of God.

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What is the effect of true faith?

A pious, godly life.

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What is the right living faith?

That one believes the Word of God.

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What is love?

Fulfillment of the commands of God.

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What is hope?

That one in all suffering hopes and trusts in God.

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In whom does one let be baptized?

In the name of Jesus Christ.

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How is one baptized into the death of Christ?

When one dies wholly to sin and all unrighteousness.

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How does one put on Christ?

When one walks in a new life.

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What is the right wedding garment?

A pure and good conscience.

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How can Christ become man in us?

When we conform our will to God’s will.

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How do we become reborn?

Through the Word of God, by water and spirit.

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How does it happen?

If one believes the word of God.

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What is the meaning of water baptism?

That one becomes obedient to God and the community.

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What is the new birth?

When one ceases to sin.

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What is the substance of baptism?

That we keep our vows.

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Why did Christ institute the Lord's supper?

To be a commemoration of His bitter suffering and death.

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What is the meaning of the breaking of bread?

That His Body also had to be thus broken.

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What is the meaning of the cup?

The suffering of Christ.

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What is the old man?

Flesh and blood.

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What is the new man?

Where true ‘renewal’ can be seen.

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From what has Christ redeemed us?

From the power of sin and from the power of the Devil.

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How many gods are there then?

There is only one eternal God. but three names: God Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

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Who has created you?

God the Father.

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Who is God the Father?

The eternal God, who has made Heaven and Earth.

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What is the Son of God?

He is the eternal Word, which was with God in eternity.

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Through whom has the Son of God His humanity?

Through Mary His mother.

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What is the Holy Spirit?

An invisible power of God.

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How can one receive the Holy Spirit?

Through earnest prayer and faithfulness to God.

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May we also obtain salvation through our own works?

No! Only through the grace of God.

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How may we receive forgiveness of sins?

Through true faith in Jesus Christ.

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How shall one obtain faith?

From the word of God.

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What shall move a man to become baptized?

The comforting promises in the Word of God.

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What use do we get out of receiving the baptism of Christ?

We become members of the Body of Christ.

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How should one conduct himself after the reception of baptism?

One should keep what one has promised God.

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What is God's image?

God’s righteousness, holiness and immortality.

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How did man lose God's image?

Because he fell into sin and transgressed the commandments of his Creator.

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What do we merit with our sins?

God’s wrath and eternal damnation.

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Who has redeemed you from sin, death and damnation?

God the Son.

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What is the name of God the Son?

Jesus Christ.

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What is original sin?

The tendency to sin.

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Does original sin harm a man?

No, if he but resists it.

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What is inward sin?

When sinful thoughts rise up in a man; one should get rid of them.

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What is true spiritual poverty?

When one walks in true surrender.

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Which are the true alms?

When one puts his full effort into His work.

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How should one prepare himself for the Lord's Supper?

One should examine oneself rightly whether he be a worthy partaker.

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Which persons should celebrate it?

All baptized and believing people.

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What is the Kingdom of God?

The Kingdom of God is piety, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

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Must each one be born again?

Yes, for without the ‘new birth’, nobody can see the Kingdom of God.

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How does one count the costs?

One must well consider the thing, whether one also has the wherewithal to bring the same to conclusion.

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Why did Christ suffer?

For the sake of our sins.

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Why did Christ come into the world, born as a man?

That He should make the fall of Adam right again.

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What is the Christian Church?

She is the congregation of the believing and pious.

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Through which means is one accepted into the Church of Christ?

Through baptism.

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What then is baptism?

Mortification of the old man.

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What is the 'gnawing worm'?

A bad conscience.

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What is the new creature?

A new and reborn Christian.

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When did the snake sting the Son of God in the heel?

On the cross, when He suffered for us.

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Which is the greatest and foremost commandment of the law?

To love God above all with all one’s power and will.

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What is the meaning of the true pearl which the man found?

The true pearl is Christ, also the pure Word of God.

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What does circumcision mean in the New Testament?

Baptism.

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What did circumcision in the Old Testament mean and point to?

A sign of a covenant with God.

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How is one spiritually circumcised in the heart?

Through the living word of God one is severed from all iniquity.

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Who is the 'stumbling block' and the 'rock of offense'?

Our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom now almost the whole world stumbles.

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How does Paul call the fruits of the Spirit?

Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faith, meekness and chastity.

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Whence comes faith?

From listening to the preaching.

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Whereto has God created man?

To His Name’s praise and honor.

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What is the Devil's image?

Sin. And whosoever chooses sin, he takes the Devil’s image upon himself.

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But what is sin?

The transgression of the commands of God.

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What is true fasting?

When one ceases from all wrongdoing and all sin.

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Who is the Comforter and Helper of all believers?

The Holy Spirit and the anointing.

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Is the government ordained by God?

Yes.

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Whereto is the government ordained by God?

As a rod, to punish the wicked.

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May the authorities also be Christians?

Yes! If they become followers of Christ and relinquish their own will.

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What did the Lord Christ accomplish through His suffering and death and through the shedding of His blood?

The Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life.

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What is the meaning of the foreskin of the flesh?

Sinful lusts and desires.

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What are the fruits of the lips?

Those which acknowledge His name, which praise and honor Him.

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How does one deny himself?

When he breaks his own will, and gives himself over wholly with a surrendered heart to the Lord and His community.

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What is the promise made in the Holy Scriptures to such surrendered hearts?

They have comforting promises in the Holy Scriptures. God will gladden them with the joy of His face forever eternally. Amen.

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Warning (1 Peter 3:21)

Baptism is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God. The water makes no one into a Christian. Baptism or the water does not take away the sinful nature of our flesh; rather the content of baptism and the covenant is this: that we henceforth strive and fight against our sinful nature, and not let it rule or break out into our mortal body. But live a godly life in this world. Indeed, it means that whoever has accepted true Christian baptism is henceforth obligated at all times to live with a good conscience, and to keep himself, that he be of a pure heart. For a pure, good heart, says the scripture, is a perpetual feast. There must be a resurrection to a new life; our old man must be crucified, and in Christ a new one must arise, which is created in the image of God, in righteousness and holiness. Amen.

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Baptism poem

1. Oh Lord, my God, I pray for grace

Ere Judgment Day I have to face!

Through Christ, our Lord, oh, may I be

Of inborn sinfulness set free

And learn to follow Thy command.

Which Eve and Adam did withstand.

So let me deeply ponder all

That troubles men through Adam’s fall.

2. This hurt has plagued with many fears

All travelers through this vale of tears.

We cannot act the way we should.

For sin prevents our doing good.

Conceived and born in sin’s dread might,

We have no strength to do the right.

Our heart is set on evil ways

From youth and on through all our days.

3. Since Adam, life with death is fraught,

And lasting death had been our lot

If God the Lord had not stepped in

To free us from the bonds of sin.

So moved was God by men’s distress

That He in mercy measureless

Resolved, that sin might be undone,

To send His own beloved Son

With Devil and with Death to strive

And lead us through to lasting life.

4. God–Father, Son, with Spirit bright

Did then set out to end our plight.

His angel Gabriel sent He

To Nazareth in Galilee.

A maiden chaste the angel sought

And wondrous tidings to her brought,

Telling that she would bear as child

The Son of God, pure, undefiled,

That our Redeemer He would be,

Would ransom us from slavery

And sweep away the evils all

That plague our race since Adam’s fall.

5. Now let me tell you of God’s plan

And how this child became a man,

Who by great words and deeds of might

Did people to himself invite

And told them that with one accord

Their lives should magnify the Lord.

Above all, love they were to prize

For by it men should recognize

Who are true members of His band,

Since faith and love go hand in hand.

6. In Scripture it is clearly shown:

A gift is faith, from God alone.

Therefore we ask the Holy Ghost.

To grant us true faith uppermost,

And that we sinners rise from death

In watery grave by Spirit’s breath.

For Christ himself the water is,

And washed by Him, we then are His.

7. Yet now mark well how all around

A worldly baptism is found,

Where men still follow their own will,

God’s clear commands do not fulfill,

And yet expect their due reward.

But Scripture warns of what the Lord

Will say to every man who still

Would disobey God’s holy will.

8. This, my dear child, you ought to know:

To do good deeds be never slow;

Trust only in your God and King

And in your Savior’s suffering,

 Who for our sin paid all the price–

An everlasting sacrifice.

In firm faith you must hold to this

And let your grateful heart be His.

9. For God so loved us men that He

Gave His own Son to set us free.

He came to earth our sins to bear

And now invites all men to share

The peace and joy that He bestows

On all who follow where He goes.

You too, dear child, a follower be

And guard your lips from blasphemy.

10. In Holy Scripture we are told

That Jesus Christ we shall behold,

With all His angel hosts appear

In power and glory drawing near.

From Heaven to earth He’ll come and stay

To usher in the Judgment Day.

How great a gathering that will be

When all mankind their Judge will see!

11. All men and peoples everywhere

Their Judge to face must then prepare.

What counts is all our deeds on earth–

We shall receive what they were worth.

Christ will tell each where he should stand,

Will place His sheep at His right hand,

While to His left the goats are led.

Then He will pass the sentence dread.

12. To those assembled on His right

He will say, “Children of the light,

Possess now in eternity

My Father’s Kingdom joyfully.'

Then He will stretch His hand out high

And with stern judgment terrify

The wicked ones on His left hand:

“You shall be doomed, accursed band,

In eternal torment there to dwell

With Satan and his host of hell!'

13. And all lost souls in their distress,

Who did but scoff at holiness,

Shall see in sunlike radiance

The just gaze on God’s countenance,

Whereas for them who lived in sin

Unending woe and grief begin.

14. Of this, dear child, do not lose sight:

No one can describe aright

The awful burden and despair

Ungodly souls will have to bear.

From every sin this should deter:

It should to deeds of kindness stir

And make you seek that precious hoard–

A conscience pure before the Lord.

15. Without God’s Spirit, as you know,

No man the way of Christ can go,

Nor can he grasp the Lord God’s deeds

Or pray aright, for he must, needs

Receive the Spirit of the truth,

Withheld still from the world uncouth.

Since you ask me which way to go,

I humbly tell you what I know:

16. Forsake your wretched, sinful ways

And turn to God’s forgiving grace,

That through His Spirit you may be

Vouchsafed the gift your sins to see,

May get a new heart filled with light

And also learn to pray aright.

When you then ask Him, He will give

Whatever you may need to live

As He desires; hence spare no pain!

The Lord’s help you will surely gain,

For He will never leave His own.

17. “Oh Thou who art my Lord alone,

Inscribe Thy law into my heart,

That I may never from it part.

But ever bear good fruit for Thee

And walk on Thy way joyfully,

An obedient child of Thine–

Give me of Thy grace divine!'

18. Who will repent, to God draw near,

Should listen to this teaching clear.

He must resolve to fight all sin,

Do those things God takes pleasure in

And cleave to Him in all his ways.

So will he taste the Lord God’s Grace–

God: Father, Son, and Spirit–three,

And yet one God in unity,

In whose name we must baptized be.

19. “Oh, that my people would know me

And for my kindness grateful be,

That they might trust me as my flock

And safely build on me, their rock!

If they would walk in their Lord’s ways,

I would raise them from disgrace–

Heirs of my Kingdom they would be

And share its joys eternally.' Amen.

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What the Church Is, and How One May Become Part Of It

1. The Church of Christ is the gathering of the believing and devout, the people of God who have given up the sinful life. We are led into this gathering by true submission. It is the spiritual ark of Noah, in which we can be preserved.

2. It is no human institution but a work of God. Just as Mary conceived Christ through faith and the Holy Spirit by placing her will in God’s will and saying. “Here am I, a handmaiden of the Lord. Let it be with me according to Thy words,' so we must also receive and accept Christ in faith. Then He will also begin and complete His work in us.

3. The Church has the key and authority to loose and to bind as Christ has commanded, to exclude the evil and to accept the repentant, so that this is binding in Heaven in accordance with the words of Christ. (Matthew 16:19)

4. Each should first count the cost carefully as to what he has to give up. But he should not counsel with flesh and blood. For those who would enter God’s service must be prepared to be attacked and to die for the truth and for the Name of Christ, if it be God’s will, by water, fire, or the sword. For now we have house and shelter, but we do not know what today or tomorrow will bring. Therefore no one should join for the sake of good days. He who is not prepared to endure evil and good with all the believers and to accept as good whatever the Lord gives and ordains should leave it alone. (Luke 14: 26-33) 

We will not put pressure on anyone who does not join of his own free will. We desire to persuade no one with smooth words. It is not a matter of human compulsion from without or within, for God wants voluntary service. Whoever cannot do this with joy and to the delight of his soul should therefore leave it alone and remain in his former station.

5. No one should take this step for the sake of another–the wife for her husband’s sake or the husband for his wife’s sake. or the children for the sake of their parents, [a boy for the sake of a girl, or a girl for the sake of a boy]. That would be in vain and built on sand. It cannot endure.

  Instead, each one should build on the Rock, Christ, purely to please God alone; for each must bear his own burden on the Day of Judgment.

6. Each must submit to and follow brotherly warning, admonition, and discipline, and must practice the same toward others in the House of God, so that no one may become co-guilty in the sins of another.

7. Each one should yield himself up in obedience to God and His Church and not be obstinate or do only what he wants to do, but allow himself to be placed wherever it is seen to be necessary for the good of the Church.

8.        No one any longer owns anything, for each gives and surrenders himself to the Lord and His church with all that he has and can do, as it was in the first Apostolic Church, in which no one said of his goods that they were his own, but they had all things in common. (Acts 4:32) This we hold to be the surest way and the most perfect foundation; we are well assured of this in our hearts.

9.        We say this clearly to each one now in advance so that there is no obligation to return anything to anyone later. Therefore, if anyone should enter on this way and then cannot continue and should wish to have what was his own returned, let him stay away now, keep what is his, and leave us in peace. Our concern is not to get money and goods, but to win God-fearing hearts.

10. Whoever has had wrong dealings that are punishable in the world–be it that he is in debt or has cheated someone–or if anyone has gotten himself involved in matters of marriage or is engaged to be married, he must first straighten out all these matters. For if someone should hide any of these things from us and let himself be baptized and we should afterward learn about these things, we would have to exclude him as one who did not come into the Church rightly, but by falsehood. Therefore let each be warned.

 (From the early Hutterian Church)

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The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, 

suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried:  He descended into Hell:

the third day He rose again from the dead.

He ascended into Heaven,

and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

one holy Christian Church, the fellowship of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

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Baptism Questions

Before the prayer: (addressed to baptismal group)

Do you recognize the teachings of Jesus, which have been laid before you, to be the truth and the true foundation of blessedness? (Answer all: Yes)

Do you believe in and agree with the twelve points of the Christian faith, and will you diligently witness to them?  (Answer all: Yes. Together the baptismal group recites the 12 articles of faith, or the Apostles’ Creed)

Do you desire the intercession of the Church so that God may forgive and remit the sins you have committed either knowingly or in ignorance?  (Answer all: Yes)

Do you desire to yield, to give, and to sacrifice yourselves to God the Lord in the covenant of Christian baptism?  (Answer all: Yes)

After the prayer, each one is asked the following six questions while kneeling:

Have you now understood enough of the Word of the Lord to recognize it as the way to eternal life?  (Answer: Yes)

Are you sorry with all your heart for the sins you have committed against God, either knowingly or in ignorance? And do you henceforth want to fear God and never willfully sin against Him anymore, but rather die than willfully do anything against Him?  (Answer: Yes)

Do you believe that God, through Christ and the intercession of His people, has forgiven and remitted your sins?  (Answer: Yes)

Do you desire to accept brotherly admonition and discipline and also to use it toward others when necessary?  (Answer: Yes)

Do you desire to give and sacrifice yourself to the Lord in Heaven with body and soul and all that you have, and to yield yourself in obedience to Christ and His Church?  (Answer: Yes)

Do you desire to make a covenant with God and with all His people and to be baptized on confession of your faith?  (Answer: Yes)

The servant (and his assistant) now baptizes the individual by pouring on of water, saying the following words:

On the confession of your faith I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

(With the laying on of hands:) May the almighty God in heaven, who through the death of Christ and the prayers of his church, has shown you grace and mercy, fill you with power from on high, and write your name in the book of life, and keep you henceforth true and pious onto death. Amen.

(With hand extended to individual:) Stand up, my brother (sister); the peace of God is with you.

(Person receiving baptism answers:) The Lord be with us.

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Sample Prayer Insert

We also ask for our beloved ones who have asked to be baptized. Oh beloved God, we ask for Thy blessing upon this baptism. We ask that their faith be increased, that this covenant may be a power to stand firm in their faith and whole walk of life. We ask for Thy Holy Spirit to descend upon each one, that Thy Spirit only may rule, lead and guide at all times. And may they submit themselves wholeheartedly to Thy Spirit, also to be truthful to the Church, submitting themselves to sacrifice body and soul with all possessions, and no more to claim anything any more as their own.

We also ask for remission of their sins which they have committed in ignorance, also willingly and unwillingly. Oh God, forgive them, and we all as Thy Church ask to receive them as members of Thy Church. Help them to be dead to sin, and no more to sin willingly, but rather to die than to sin any more.

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What Baptism Is

 A confession of true repentance for committed sin.

A privilege that is only right and proper to accept, a reminder that one must no longer live in sin, but for God.

A witness to and a sealing of the truth one has embraced through Christ.

The destruction of the old man, and the resurrection to a new life coming from God.

A sign that, through the Word of truth, one has been born a member of the Body of Christ together with all believers.

A firm avowal and declaration of a good conscience with God.

The true assurance that one comes from death into life as long as one remains, as it is written, 'firmly grounded in faith.'