Baptism/Christening
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19-20
What is baptism?
Before He ascended into heaven, Jesus gave this last earthly instruction to the disciples. He commanded His Church to do three important things. To share the Gospel, baptise the believers, and to teach them to obey God’s Word. So, when we baptise someone who wants to be recognised as a new member of God's family, we are following some very clear instructions from Jesus.
Baptism is the way in which a person makes a public profession of faith and discipleship. In the waters of baptism, Jesus cleanses our soul from sin, and His Holy Spirit gives us new life. The baptism of a child or an adult is a very important event, and we hope you will give it proper thought and consideration before deciding to go ahead.
Baptism in water is a symbolic representation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It shows that you wish to turn away from all that is evil, turn towards Christ, and become a member of the local and worldwide Christian family. At Warfield church, we would be delighted to help you make this decision, for yourself or your children, to begin this lifelong journey of faith.
If you wish to find out more behind the reasoning of why we baptise people, follow this link to watch a talk from David Brown, including a few questions from the congregation.
How do I find out more about baptisms/christenings at Warfield Church?
We love to welcome new members of the Christian family, whatever their age, and are delighted that you are thinking about this for yourself or your child.
Baptisms at Warfield Church normally happen during a family service, so that the person being baptised can be welcomed by the gathered church family. The baptisms can take place at either our Warfield Church North or Warfield Church East Sunday congregations throughout the parish, and it is not uncommon for there to be more than one baptism at a service. Babies and children are traditionally baptised at the Font, but some adults choose to be baptised by 'full immersion', (which is exactly what it sounds like!).
As part of the preparation for this important step in a person’s life, we run a baptism preparation course during which, over a meal, you will have the chance to discuss the meaning of baptism and you can ask any questions you may have about it. The course is run in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere but we try to make sure that you understand the promises that will be made by parents and godparents during the baptism service itself. By attending the course you are not being committed to anything, and you may wish to go away and have some time to reflect on what you have learned before you make the final decision. The preparation course is also a celebration of your family's desire to walk in faith, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know other parents with the desire to make the same commitment.
We are not normally able to offer baptism for those who live outside our Parish, unless you worship here regularly or there is an extraordinary pastoral reason for us doing so. Please call to discuss.
Dates for baptisms need to be mutually agreed, often several months in advance - to avoid disappointment, please discuss this with the Church Office before making any definite arrangements.
We would be delighted to talk this through if you have any questions. You can contact us on 01344 886900 or email us here.