Baptism of Adults
The Ministration of Baptism to such as are of Riper Years
¶ When those who wish to be baptized have come forward to the Altar, the Minister shall read as follows; all those who are present standing up:
And Jesus came and spake to his disciples, and said, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
¶ Then shall be said this Exhortation:
My brethren, now that we are about to obey this command, which is with so great authority enjoined upon us, let us seek a blessing from God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
¶ Then the Minister may say:
Let us pray.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we give thee humble and hearty thanks, that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and to faith in thee. Increase this knowledge and confirm this faith in us evermore, that we may be enabled to mortify all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily to proceed in all virtue and godliness of living, till we come to that eternal kingdom which thou hast promised through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then the Minister shall speak to the persons to be baptized on this wise:
Well-beloved, who have come hither to receive holy Baptism: you know what divine help has been promised to all who seek it; how our Lord Jesus Christ hath said, Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Renouncing, therefore, the fellowship of evil, will you endeavor to learn of Jesus Christ, and cooperate in the study and practice of his religion?
¶ Then the persons about to be baptized shall severally answer:
I will.
¶ Then, the persons about to be baptized standing or kneeling before the Minister, he shall say:
I baptize thee, into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
¶ He may also pronounce this Benediction:
And I pronounce upon thee the blessing which God commanded his servant of old; saying:
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Amen.
Minister. Our help is in the name of the Lord;
Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth.
Minister. Blessed be the name of the Lord;
Answer. Henceforth, world without end.
Minister. Lord, hear our prayers;
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Lord of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then shall be sung a Hymn of welcome, unannounced:
¶ Then shall be said this Benediction:
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and minds, through Jesus Christ. Amen.