Baptism is one of the two sacraments given to the Church by Jesus himself - see Matthew 28.19-20.

Baptism is the same as christening.

Different Christians say lots of different things about baptism. Here are just a few of the many ideas there are about it.

When we are baptised, we receive grace from God. This takes many forms. Here listed are just a few:

• we receive God's Holy Spirit
• we are 'born again' - we start a new life in the fellowship of Christ's Church
• we receive a new name - our Christian name
• we become a member of the Church

Some people are baptised when they are babies (infants) or young children. Then they have godparents to speak for them at the baptism.

Other people are baptised when they are old enough and wise enough to speak for themselves.

During a baptism there are some things that the candidates or their godparents say and some things that the minister does.

• the candidate (or the godparents) makes an act of repentance (during the part of the service called 'The Decision')
• the minister makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the candidate. Often holy oil which was blessed by the Bishop of the Diocese at a service in the Cathedral on the previous Maundy Thursday is used
• the minister says a prayer of deliverance
• the candidate (or the godparents), together with the whole congregation, makes a profession of their faith
• the minister dips the candidate in water, or pours water over them
• the minister may give to the candidate a baptism candle
• the congregation welcomes the candidate into the fellowship of Christ's Church

The minister at a baptism is usually a priest, though in an emergency, any baptised Christian may baptise.

© J D Yule 2003