Baptisms and Christenings

Baptism or Christening: What’s in a name?

Some people and churches talk about ‘christenings’; others talk about ‘baptisms’. What’s the difference?

There is no difference. It doesn’t usually matter which word you use.

At a christening service, the baptism occurs at the moment at which the priest pours water on the head of the child or adult and says: “N, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” This is the point at which a lifelong journey with God publicly begins, and a new Christian is welcomed into the Church.

Baptism and Christian Faith

Baptism is a wonderful, serious, joyful thing, because Christian faith is a wonderful, serious, joyful thing.

Our faith takes the form of the story of God’s love. The story begins with God’s goodness but goes on to tell of the tragedy of human beings going their own way. However, God remains true to his intentions for people, telling them about himself in the world around them, in the Bible, and especially in the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ, God did more than tell us about himself; he came in person and he did something. He died on a cross and rose from the dead to bring us back to God, to save us from all that separates us from God and his purposes for us.

Christians tell this story to one another every Sunday, when we recite the Creed—our ancient declaration of what we believe. We believe that Christianity is not just a good story, but that it is true. (Click here to read what Christians believe).

We respond to God’s work for us in Jesus Christ by putting our trust in him and by following his teaching. Baptism marks the point at which this new life publicly begins.

To be clear, Baptism is the only requirement for membership in the Christian community. Here at St Mary’s, we baptise babies, children, and adults.

Questions

Who can be baptised?

St Paul, one of the earliest followers of Jesus Christ wrote: “the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all” (2 Corinthians 5.14). Baptism is for all, because Christian faith is for all, because Jesus Christ died for all.

Anyone, of any age, who lives in a parish or who is on the electoral roll in a parish can be baptised in their Parish church. If you don’t live in the parish and aren’t on the electoral roll here, you can still be baptised here, but we are required to ask for your parish priest’s goodwill first.

I am not baptised, but I would like my baby christened …

Anyone means anyone. If you want to bring your child up in the Christian faith, then baptism is for your child. But …

Parents and godparents make promises on behalf of the child in the baptism service. It may be that your wish to bring your child up in the Christian faith is a sign that God is calling you to follow Jesus Christ. You should definitely talk with your vicar about whether you should be baptised and make those promises not just for your child but for yourself.

(Contact the Vicar here)

Godparents

Godparents are important. Choosing them is a huge decision.

(Click here to learn more about godparents and Christian baptism)

What next?

If you are interested in baptism for your child, or anyone else, please contact the Vicar (here)