Being baptised or ‘Christened’, (they are both the same), marks the start of a lifelong journey of faith. In the Bible we find that Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan as an adult (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, in the first chapter of John’s Gospel the baptism of Jesus is implied.) Adults or children can be baptized, both involve life changing decisions.
Christian baptism marks the end of one type of living and the start of a new one – recreated in Jesus Christ to have a fuller relationship with God and other human beings. In baptism we discover Life as it was created to be.
As an adult you make the baptismal promises for yourself. As a parent you say that you will help your child to walk in the way of Christ: to turn away from sin and turn to Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Parents and godparents make these promises on the child’s behalf, though children old enough to speak will say them too. The vicar will explain the words of the promises in greater detail.
Alternatively, St. Barnabas Church offers a Thanksgiving Service, which recognises your thankfulness for the birth of your child and may be more suitable if you do not want, at this time, to make a commitment to the Christian faith on behalf of your child. This service acknowledges your expression of thanks to God for your child.
We normally hold baptisms on Sundays: for more information, please fill in the online enquiry form below, or contact the Vicar vicar@saintbarnabas.org.uk. Then, for more information about arranging a baptism at St Barnabas’ please click this link for our ‘Arranging a Baptism’ brochure.
After Baptism
Once baptised, we encourage you to enter into the life of the church through worship, prayer, reading the bible and following Christ in your daily life. For many, receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion is important: following Baptism, children may be admitted to Holy Communion. We also encourage those who are baptised to become Confirmed: where you take on your baptismal promises for yourself, typically this takes place during teenage years or as a young adult.