What the diocese says baptism is
At its most practical level, the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne says, baptism means gaining membership of the Church, though it adds that few Anglicans or Christians would see it as only that.
The diocese calls baptism “a sacrament where God is at work”. It describes “an outward and visible sign” of God’s inward, invisible action: the person being baptised makes promises about the way they seek to live, and is then washed in the waters of baptism.
As set out by Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, Baptisms
Melbourne’s page describes this as the beginning of a new relationship between God and the person baptised. The Anglican Diocese of Perth calls baptism “full initiation into the Christian mystery”, and into the eucharistic community of faith, hope and love.
Who answers for a child
Baptism is open, the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne says, to all who seek to belong to the Anglican Church of Australia. Historically it has taken place when children are very young and cannot answer for themselves. Then “parents and godparents or sponsors” make promises on the child’s behalf.
The diocese says this was the norm until the last few decades. Many people now have not been baptised as children, and it sees many more adults asking for baptism.
The godparents’ part is spoken in person. When the person is too young to make the promises, Melbourne’s page says, the parents usually choose godparents to make them on the child’s behalf, and a godparent needs to be “physically present during the ceremony” to do so.
The service, step by step
The Anglican Church of Australia says most Australian Anglicans use A Prayer Book for Australia, known as APBA, as the basis of their common prayer. Its baptism page publishes alternative forms of the APBA baptism services. One of them, Holy Baptism in Holy Communion, is for a service where none of the candidates can answer for themselves. Its cover says the Liturgy Commission of General Synod prepared it in October 2009, for trial use where the diocesan bishop authorises it, adapted from APBA pages 50 to 74.
The outline below follows that form and its section names, in this guide’s words. A parish using another authorised form may differ.
The welcome
Why the people have come
The minister may begin by saying that baptism is “the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ”, and that the people have gathered to obey his command to baptise. The child is welcomed by name, with the sponsors and family.
The Ministry of the Word
Readings and a sermon
Readings from the Old Testament, the New Testament or both, as appointed, then the Gospel reading with everyone standing, then the sermon.
The Presentation
The sponsors stand
The priest asks the sponsors to stand where the congregation can see them. The minister may explain that parents and godparents state before the congregation their own trust in God’s promises, and their intention to raise the children in the faith and practice of the Church. The priest then asks the sponsors three questions:
- whether they accept the responsibilities of bringing the child for baptism: “I will.”
- whether they are willing to answer on the child’s behalf: “I am.”
- whether, by prayer, example, friendship and love, they will encourage the child to grow in the Christian community’s life and faith: “I will, with God’s help.”
The Decision
Turning to Christ
The priest asks four questions: whether they turn to Christ, repent of their sins, reject selfish living and all that is false and unjust, and renounce “Satan and all evil”. The first answer is “I turn to Christ.”
The faith of the Church
The Creed, said together
The minister invites the sponsors and congregation to affirm “the faith of the Church” together in the words of the Creed, which the Diocese of Melbourne names as the Apostles Creed. The candidates and sponsors are asked whether they affirm this faith as theirs, and the congregation is asked whether it will support them. It answers, “We will.”
The Prayers
For the child and the sponsors
The prayers include one asking that the sponsors and families may want to share the gospel with those being baptised.
The Baptism
At the water
At the place where the water for baptism is, the priest gives thanks over the water. Each candidate is brought to it, and the minister either dips them in the water or pours water over them, saying the child’s name and “I baptise you”, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
After Baptism
The sign of the cross, and the welcome
The priest makes a cross on each forehead, as a sign that the child is “marked as Christ’s own for ever.” The Diocese of Melbourne notes that the cross is made “sometimes with blessed oil.” The congregation joins in the words “Shine as a light in the world”, and receives the newly baptised as a member with them of the body of Christ.
The Greeting of Peace
Then Holy Communion continues
Everyone stands for the Greeting of Peace, and the service goes on to the gifts and the Great Thanksgiving.
Confirmation, later
The same service looks ahead: in due time, it says, the children should respond to God for themselves “and be prepared for confirmation.”
When a person has been baptised as a child, the diocese says, the normal practice in the Anglican Church is for them to be confirmed “by the Bishop or Archbishop at a later time”.
As set out by Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, Baptisms
Accepted elsewhere, the dioceses say
The dioceses of Melbourne and Perth say, in almost the same words, that in “any of the mainstream or orthodox Christian traditions”, Anglican baptism is normally accepted as suitable for membership.
Where to begin
Melbourne’s page says you can contact the vicar at a church near you, who may ask you to attend a few sessions exploring what it means to be a Christian, before you talk about a date. The Diocese of Perth says the first step is an appointment with your parish priest, and that you need not have been baptised yourself, or be a regular churchgoer, to ask. The page on arranging a baptism sets these beside the other churches’ first steps.
See also godparents and sponsors and baptism in the Catholic Church. Back to all six pages or the words each church uses.