At our baptism, very serious promises and statements of belief were made. If we were a baby, they were made on our behalf by our parents and godparents and as we grew up we had the opportunity to accept them for ourselves. If we were adults, we made them for ourselves, but that may have been many years ago. These were the promises (as in the present service):Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.
It is easy to ignore these promises and many take them very lightly. But they are very serious promises by which we commit ourselves to God. In France, serious thinking atheists have looked at their serious implication and have demanded the right to be unbaptised! We do not wish to do that! But we do want to take them seriously.
This year, we shall be holding an 'in house' course based on our baptism promises. Each week we shall be looking at one of the promises. We will meet in the Barnabas Centre, on Wednesdays, from 2.0-3.30pm in the afternoon or at 7.30-9.0pm in the evening.
During our service on Easter morning there will then be the chance for us all to renew our baptism promises together. This is a great chance to study our faith together. Do come along.
