Welcome to the Service Builder

1. The minister welcomes those who have come for baptism. The minister addresses the congregation
When our Lord Jesus Christ had risen from the dead, he commanded his disciples to preach the gospel to all nations and to baptise those who believe. They obeyed his command and we read of the apostle Peter preaching in these words, 'Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'

Jesus taught that no-one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 'Flesh gives birth to flesh', he said, 'but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.' So let us pray to God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ that he will grant to these people that which by nature they cannot have, that they may be baptised with water and the Holy Spirit and be made living members of Christ's Church.

The congregation joins the minister in praying
Heavenly Father,
we thank you that in your great love
you have called us to know you
and to trust you.
Increase this knowledge and strengthen our faith.
Give your Holy Spirit to these people
that they may be born again,
cleansed from all sin,
and inherit your eternal kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. The minister invites those who are to be baptized to stand and says to them
Those who are to be baptized must declare their allegiance to Christ and their rejection of all that is evil: the Devil and all his works, the empty display and false values of the world, and the sinful desires of the flesh. Therefore I ask
Do you turn away from your sins, from the Devil and all evil?
I turn away from them all.

Do you turn to Christ?
I turn to Christ.

May Almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness and lead you in the light of Christ to his everlasting kingdom. Amen.

You have come here to be baptised. I ask you now to affirm as yours the faith of the Church.

Do you believe in God the Father almighty?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in God the Son?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The minister says to the candidates for baptism
Do you profess this faith?
I do.

Will you follow Jesus faithfully, and obey his commands throughout your life?
With his help, I intend to do so.

Do you ask for baptism in the faith you have professed?
I do.

4. The minister asks each person to come to the font and baptises them by dipping them in the water or pouring water on them, saying
N, I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The minister continues
God has called you into his church.
The congregation joins the minister in saying
We therefore receive and welcome you
as a fellow member of the body of Christ,
as a child of the same heavenly Father,
and as an inheritor with us of the kingdom of God.

5. The minister makes a sign of the cross on each candidate's forehead and says
I sign you with the sign of the cross
to show that you are to be true to Christ crucified
and that you are not to be ashamed
to confess your faith in him.
The congregation joins the minister in saying
Fight bravely under his banner
against sin, the world and the Devil,
and continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant
to your life's end.

6. The minister continues
We thank you, our heavenly Father, for giving your servants new birth with your Holy Spirit, adopting them as your own, and receiving them into the fellowship of your Church. Being buried with Christ in his baptism, may they die to sin, walk in newness of life, and be united with Christ in his resurrection. May they grow in the faith into which they have been baptised, and may all things belonging to the Spirit live and grow in them. Amen.

7. If it is not used elsewhere in the service, the Lord's Prayer may be said together here
Our Father in heaven,?
hallowed be your Name, ?
your kingdom come,?
your will be done?on earth as in heaven ?
Give us today our daily bread.?
Forgive us our sins?
as we forgive those who sin against us.?
Lead us not into temptation,?
but deliver us from evil.?
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.

8. The service concludes with these words
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.