Chapter 6. Dedication And/Or
Baptism of Children and Infants
¶951. Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men, though fallen in Adam, are
born into this world in Christ the Redeemer, heirs of life eternal and subjects
of the saving grace of the Holy Spirit; and that all children, not having
attained the age of accountability, by virtue of the unconditional benefits
of the atonement, are members of the kingdom of God, and therefore graciously
entitled to baptism (dedication); and that our Saviour Christ saith, Suffer
little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom
of God (Luke 18:16); I beseech you to call upon God the Father through our
Lord Jesus Christ, that of His bounteous goodness He will so grant unto this
child, now to be baptized (dedicated), the continual replenishing of His grace,
that he/she may become a faithful member of God's holy church by faith that
is in Jesus Christ.
Then shall the minister offer personal prayer or say:
Almighty and everlasting God, we beseech You that of Your infinite mercies You will look upon this child, and grant that by the aid of the Holy Spirit he/she may be steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in the love of the Word, and that he/she may so live a godly life now, that he/she will enter triumphantly the life which is to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the minister address the parents or sponsors: Dearly beloved, forasmuch as this child is now presented by you for dedication to God, and is thus consecrated to God and His church, it is your responsibility to live before him/her the life that becometh the Gospel, and see that he/she is taught the meaning of his holy Sacrament; to renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all carnal desires of the flesh, so that he/she may not follow or be led by them; to know the Holy Scripture that is able to make him/her wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus; to instruct him/her in its doctrines; to help him/her obediently keep God's holy will and commandments all the days of his/her life; and that in every way, by precept and example, you shall seek to lead him/her into the love of God and the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Will you train him/her to regularly worship God both publicly and privately so that when he/she has reached the age of discretion, he/she being willing, and showing evidence of living faith in Christ, will ratify and make his/her own the act of dedication which you this day have undertaken? Do you solemnly assume these obligations?
Answer: We do, God being our helper.
Then shall the minister say:
Hear the words of the Gospel as recorded in Mark 10:13-16, "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them."
Then the minister shall take the child into his hands, if convenient, and say to the parents of the child:
Will you dedicate or baptize this child? What name shall be given this child?
And then, repeating the name, he shall dedicate or baptize the child with the laying on of the hand, or the laying on of the hand with water, saying:
_________________ , I dedicate (baptize) thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then shall the minister offer an extemporaneous prayer, or the following:
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, grant that this child, as he/she grows in years, may also grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through His holy Word. Grant that the restraining and renewing influence of God may so guide him/her that he/she may ever be a true child of God, serving thee faithfully all his/her days, to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer.
Benediction.
Chapter 7. Baptism
¶961. Let each choose the mode of baptism: sprinkling, pouring, or immersion.
The minister shall use the following.
Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men do inherit a nature so fallen that no man, of his own strength, can so live as to please God, and that our Saviour Jesus Christ saith, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. I beseech you to call upon God the Father, that of His bounteous goodness He will grant unto these the renewing power of the Holy Spirit and enable them by divine grace to attain unto the fullness of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Then may the minister read the following lessons:
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2: 38-42
Then shall the minister say to the persons to be baptized:
Dearly beloved, who have come hither desiring to receive holy baptism, the congregation give thanks to God for your coming, and prays that the Holy Spirit may dwell within you, and that your faith may not fail. In the hearing of this congregation you should now make known your purpose to accept the obligation of this holy Sacrament.
Do you truly repent of your sins and accept and confess Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?
Answer: I do.
Then the minister, asking the name of each person, shall baptize them, repeating the name and saying:
___________________ , I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer.
Chapter 8. Receiving Persons
Into the Church
¶971. Dearly beloved, the church is of God and will be preserved to the
end of time for the promotion of His worship and the due administration of
His Word and Sacraments, the maintenance of Christian fellowship and discipline,
the edification of believers, and the conversion of the world. All, of every
age and station, stand in need of the means of grace which it alone supplies.
Into this holy fellowship the persons before you who have received the Sacrament of Baptism, who have learned the nature of these privileges, and these duties, and who have also been instructed in the teachings and the aims of the Evangelical Methodist Church, come seeking admission. We now propose in the fear of God to question them as to their faith and purpose. (Here an opportunity should be given for a short personal testimony by those wishing to do so.) Dearly beloved, you profess to have a desire to flee from the wrath to come and to be saved from your sins, and to become a faithful servant in the kingdom of God; you seek the fellowship of the people of God, to assist you in working out your salvation; I therefore require of you:
Then shall the minister demand of each of the persons to be received; and let all the Christians answer the vows together:
1. REPENTANCE
Question: Do you renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all its covetous desires, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that you will not follow or be led by them?
Answer: I renounce them all.
2. FAITH
Question: Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, that He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, that the third day he rose from the dead; that He ascended into heaven, and is sitting at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and that from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead? And do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the blood bought church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting?
Answer: All this I steadfastly believe.
3. OBEDIENCE
Question: Will you then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of your life?
Answer: I will endeavor so to do, God being my helper.
4. SERVICE
Question: Will you be loyal to the Evangelical Methodist Church, and uphold it by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?
Answer: I will.
The minister shall say to the candidates:
We rejoice to recognize you as members of the church of Christ, and bid you welcome to all its privileges; and in token of our brotherly love we give you the right hand of fellowship, and pray that you may be numbered with His people here, and with His saints in glory everlasting.
Prayer:
The Lord defend thee with His heavenly grace, and by His Spirit confirm thee in the faith and fellowship of all true disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen.
And the minister shall say to the congregation:
Brethren, I commend to your love and care these persons whom we this day recognize as members of the church of Christ. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.
Then may the minister say:
The blessings of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Let all the members be invited to give the new members the right hand of fellowship at the close of the service.
Chapter 9. Receiving Persons By Transfer
¶981. Dearly beloved, the church is of God, and according to the Holy
Scriptures the Lord adds to the church daily those who are saved by His grace
and power. The persons before you have been members of the ___________________
Church and they have presented themselves for membership in this church as
transfers from that church.
Then shall the minister address the persons to be received:
Do you publicly declare that you have confessed your faith in Jesus Christ, and have witnessed to it be being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Answer: I do.
You are not a stranger to the church, but a fellow citizen with the saints and members of the household of God. Will you be loyal to this church and uphold it with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?
Answer: I will, by the help of God.
We are happy to recognize you as members of this congregation. Be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. May God bless you in the worship and work of the Lord.
Then shall the minister say to the congregation:
Brethren, I commend to your love and care these persons who this day we recognize as members of this congregation. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.
Prayer by the minister.
Let all the members be invited to give the new members the right hand of Christian fellowship at the close of the service.