Baptism

Fill out the form below to  enquire about Baptism, or Confirmation at Warragul Anglican Church. You may also  like to read the following information:

Frequently asked questions about Baptism.

What is Baptism? Baptism is a Christian ceremony marked by the use of water which symbolises the washing away of sin and the start of new life in Christ. Baptism is a personal and public identification with Jesus, his death, burial, and resurrection. The word baptism is derived from the Greek word Baptizo  

How are baptisms  conducted at Warragul Anglican Church? Since the earliest days of the Christian church, baptism of infants being  brought by their parents, along with baptism of older children and also  of adults, has been practiced. Baptism follows a variety of forms: Sprinkling of water on the head , standing in water and full immersion in water.   At Warragul Anglican Church we tend to use a Baptism font (bowl) at church, and to sprinkle water on the head of the person being baptised, but we can  also  conduct baptisms in a lake,  at a beach or in  a backyard pool.   

Why do parents bring their children for baptism? Parents who bring their  children for baptism do so because they believe in Jesus Christ and intend to raise their children in the Christian faith.  In the Bible we see examples of this happening, and we also note that the Bible teaches that God’s promises for parents were also promises for their children.  From the beginning of the Christian Church, Christian children were seen as members of the community of faith. Just as God’s people in the Old Testament had their sons circumcised as a mark of their faith, Christians bring their  children for baptism  as a sign  of their  inclusion in  the community of faith. (see Colossians 2:1-13).   We treat our children as Christians, teaching them from the beginning how to live as a member of the church of Christ, and not withholding from them any grace they need through Christ to grow into that faith. In other words, we believe we are “letting them come to Jesus” as he commanded.  

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”  

Does being baptised mean I will be saved? Baptism is a powerful symbol of your salvation in Christ,  but  it is never more than an outward sign of something that needs  to be true in your heart as well- that you have resolved to put your faith in Jesus’ death and Resurrection and intend to live under his lordship as you go forward in life. This involves  also deciding to stop living for yourself alone and certainly involves a decision to stop doing anything which the bible says does not please God or is inconsistent with your being made in God’s image.  

Salvation comes from God – it is because the Father loves us and is gracious towards us and calls us to put our faith in the Son, Jesus, for our salvation and to receive his Spirit to help us live a worthy life.   We express this  faith by speaking to God  about these things in prayer, by being guided by God’s words in  Scripture and by joining a local church where we can be a part of  a community of faith with  others.  

In the Baptism ceremony, our Minister will ask you to affirm that the above is your belief and intention.

Why be baptised? By being baptised you are telling the world publicly  that you have put your trust in Jesus and are resolved to live in accordance with that decision. Jesus commanded such baptism when he said to his disciples:  

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 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 28:18-20)  

Baptism is a bit like when a married couple wears a wedding ring. They are already married and they don’t have to wear a wedding ring to prove it, but they wear one because they love their partner and want to show the world their commitment to each other.  Baptism is the Christian way of  ‘showing the world’ what you believe about God.  

What if I was baptised as an infant, and I now want to make my own statement of faith?  You only need to be baptised once, and in the Anglican Church we have another ceremony, called CONFIRMATION, in which you make your own public declaration of your faith and our Bishop and others will pray over you, asking that you are empowered with the Holy Spirit. They will pray:

Almighty and everliving God, you have given your servants new birth by water and the Spirit, and have forgiven them their sins. Strengthen them, we pray, with the Holy Spirit that they may grow in grace. Increase in them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of discernment and inner strength, the spirit of knowledge and true godliness, and fill them with wonder and awe at your presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen   Kneeling before the Bishop, they lay their hand upon your shoulder praying: Strengthen, Lord, your servant, [Confirmand] with your Holy Spirit. Empower and sustain [him/her] for your service. And  the Congregation joins in , praying: Defend, O Lord,  your servant with your heavenly grace, that they may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more until they come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.