Baptism & Confirmation

Easter is the great celebration of new life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For that reason, from the earliest days of the Church, Easter has also been a fitting time for baptisms.

Baptism is one of the sacraments of the Church: a divinely given sign and pledge of new spiritual birth and belonging to God. Just as God’s people were marked out (by e.g. circumcision) in the Old Testament, Christ’s people today are marked by the outpouring of

water. There is some debate about what mode baptism should take. In some churches, the baptised are fully immersed in a pool of water. In ours, they are sprinkled from the water in the font. There is biblical and historical precedent for both. For example, biblically, sprinkling with water mirrors the language of Ezekiel 36:25-27, a passage describing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit:

“ ²⁵ I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.  ²⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove

from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  ²⁷ And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Historically, one of the earliest documents outside of the New Testament, the Didache, a book written for Christian instruction within 100 years of Christ’s death and resurrection, describes baptism like this:

“Concerning baptism, baptize thus: Having first rehearsed all these things, baptize in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, in running water; but if thou hast no running water, baptize in other, and if thou canst not in cold, then in warm. But if thou hast neither, pour water three times on the head in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

Confirmation follows baptism. It is a moment to recognise God’s call on someone’s life, to mark the confirmation candidate’s response of faith, and to pray for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. At the heart of the service, the Bishop will say:

“Confirm O Lord your servant with your Holy Spirit.”

On Easter Sunday, we have the privilege of witnessing both baptisms and confirmations at St James’. These moments are never simply private moments. They are moments the whole church celebrates, because in baptism people are welcomed into the family of God and the body of Christ. And at confirmation they are strengthened to live for God.

So, rejoice with each of the candidates. Pray for them as they begin this new or renewed journey of faith. And support and encourage them as they are welcomed into the Church of Christ.

Jake