In the U.S.A., the greatest obstacle to receiving not only to the meaning of infant baptism as clearly provided in the classic Formularies of the Anglican Way, but also to the practice itself, is the very widespread association of “being born again” and “conversion to Jesus Christ” in popular American religion.
Often “born again” and “conversion” are identified and treated as two expressions for the same thing, that is for “a decision for Christ,” or “becoming a committed Christian.” Here the Sacrament of Baptism is very much placed in the background or made to be of little consequence. For, if both those who were baptized as infants and those who were not both absolutely need to be “born again” then infant baptism is marginalized, to say the least. It certainly has no connection with being “born again.” And also, if it is only the “born again” who should be baptized as adults then “new birth” is not necessarily or intimately connected with adult baptism either. In both cases the connection of regeneration to Baptism is non-existent as a real factor.
To say all this is to say nothing that is surprising to most American Evangelical and Charismatic Christians—even to most evangelical Episcopalians and Anglicans! In fact it is commonplace.
This very common mindset explains why it is that converts from evangelicalism to the Anglican Way resist the wording in the classic Anglican services for infants and adults in the editions of the Book of Common Prayer (beginning in 1552 and stretching through 1662 to the Canadian of 1962 and the American of 1928). In these services there is a clear, explicit and unavoidable doctrine of a necessary connection between what is called “regeneration” and the act of Baptism in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Further, regeneration is also called being “born again.” They find this necessary connection to be unacceptable and either reject it, find ways around it, or turn to use modern services (e.g., that in the Episcopal 1979 Prayer Book) wherein this connection is less obvious and where also the embarrassing doctrine of original sin (so prominent in the classic services) is absent. Anther attractive feature for them of the modern American and Canadian Anglican services is the emphasis they put upon human free will and decision, so as to allow the idea that the one being baptized is making a personal contract (covenant) with God.
Indeed, the situation is such that in evangelical Anglicanism in North America, what is deemed to be “orthodoxy” (e.g., by the average clergyperson in The Anglican Communion Network, the AMiA etc.) is the doctrine that there is no specific connection between regeneration by the Holy Spirit and Baptism in Water in the Threefold Name. The Reformed Catholic doctrine (which may truly claim to be Patristically-guided Biblical teaching) so clearly set forth in the Anglican Formularies—the BCP and Thirty-Nine Articles—is seen as old-fashioned, wrong, erroneous, and even heretical. This judgment is made because the Bible is read through the spectacles of both the doctrines of popular modern Evangelicalism and also of contemporary expressive individualism. And thus the Bible is said to associate being born again with conversion, not with Baptism.
Further, to adopt the classic Anglican doctrine of Baptism and Regeneration means for most evangelical Anglicans major changes in both evangelization and pastoral policies and methods. You cannot use the modern church growth methods in their raw state. Changes to common practice include baptizing only the infants of baptized believers, of nurturing these children in church and home as Christians (not as potential Christians), that is as members of the covenant of grace by Divine adoption; and of clearly distinguishing conceptually in preaching and teaching regeneration from conversion, and recognizing the clear, biblical, covenantal relation between regeneration and Baptism.
Here Infant Baptism is not to be treated as “Infant dedication” and used as a means of getting people to come to church and to be converted! Rather it is to be highly prized as the first Sacrament of the Covenant of Grace— the eternal covenant made originally with Abraham and his seed, and then made universal in availability and application as the new covenant established by Jesus Christ. And this covenant from the very beginning was for both adult men and infant boys, and, importantly, because of the doctrine of the headship of the male, also for all women in relation to them (relatives—wife and daughters). At the end of the O T period, when Gentiles were admitted into the Israel of God all converts male and female, adults and children, were baptized in water but only the male circumcised. From apostolic times, likewise, all adults converts to Christianity and their children were baptized, as the sign and seal of their being placed by God himself in the covenant of grace, in his Family through Jesus Christ.
Below is the Service from the BCP 1928 rendered into a modern form of English, addressing the Deity as You.
Holy Baptism
It is the duty of the Minister in each parish to urge Christian parents not to postpone the Baptism of their infant children. Likewise it is his duty to urge adults who seek commitment to Jesus Christ to prepare for Baptism.
Baptism should normally be within Public Worship on the Lord’s Day or a Holy Day, and follow either immediately after the Second Lesson at Morning or Evening Prayer, or be included within The Order for Holy Communion at a suitable place.
For each male-child there should normally be two Godfathers and one Godmother, and for each female-child two Godmothers and one Godfather.
Before any Adult is baptized, he should be examined beforehand to make sure that he truly believes in our Lord Jesus Christ and is sufficiently instructed in the principles of the Christian Faith. Further, he should be urged to prepare for receiving the Sacrament with prayer and fasting. At the time of Baptism, he should be presented by at least two witnesses/sponsors.
In the text below he and him may be changed to she and her and also made plural as they and them etc. Likewise this child and this your servant may be made plural when occasion requires.
This Service has five basic parts: (1) the Preparation; (2) the Promises of the candidates and their Sponsors; (3) the Blessing of the Water in the Font; (4) the actual Baptism; and (5) final prayer and thanksgiving.
At the Font, filled with pure water, the Minister shall say the following, as all stand.
Has this Child (Person) already been baptized?
If they answer, No; then the Minister proceeds as follows, as the People stand:
Dearly beloved, the Sacrament of Baptism is offered because our Lord Jesus Christ taught us that we cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we are born anew of water and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I urge you to call upon God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that in his bounteous mercy he will give to this Child (this Person) a new nature that is not his by birth; that he may be baptized with water and the Holy Spirit, and received into Christ’s holy Church to be made a living member thereof.
Then shall the Minister say,
Let us pray.
Almighty and immortal God, giver of aid to the needy, strength to the helpless, and everlasting life to those who believe, we pray for this Child (this your Servant) who is coming to your holy Baptism, that he may receive forgiveness of his sins by spiritual regeneration. Receive him, as you have promised by your well-beloved Son in the Gospel, saying, Ask, and you shall have; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Therefore, Lord, give us what we now ask; let us find what we seek; open the door to us as we knock; and make this Child (this your Servant) to come, through the blessing of your heavenly washing, to the eternal kingdom, which you have promised by Christ our Lord. Amen
Then the Minister shall from the RSV or the ESV read the one of the following: Mark 10:13 - 16 ; or John 3:1- 8 ; or Matthew 28: 18 - 20, as the Gospel, introducing it as follows:
Hear the words of the Gospel according to St. …, in the … chapter, beginning at the … verse.
The Gospel ended, the Minister shall say,
And now, having learned the good will of our heavenly Father toward this Child (this Person), declared by his Son Jesus Christ, let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks to him, as we say together,
Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give you humble thanks because you have called us to the knowledge of your grace and to faith in you. Increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us this and every day. Give your Holy Spirit to this Child (this your Servant), that he may be born again, and made an heir of everlasting salvation; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
When infants are to be baptized the Minister shall address the Godparents as follows.
Beloved in Christ, you have brought this Child here to be baptized; you have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would be pleased to receive him, to break the power of sin over him, to sanctify him with the Holy Spirit, and to make him an heir of the kingdom of heaven and everlasting life.
Do you, therefore, in the name of this Child renounce the devil and all his works, the vain attractions and glory of this evil world, with all its covetousness, and the sinful desires of fallen human nature, so that you will not follow, nor be led, by them?
Answer: I renounce them all, and by God’s help, intend not to follow, nor be led by them.
Do you believe the whole content of the Christian Faith, as contained in the Apostles’ Creed?
Answer: I do.
Is it your intention to be baptized in this Faith?
Answer: That is my desire.
Will you then obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in them all the days of your life?
Answer: I will, by God’s help.
Having now, in the name of this Child, made these promises, will you also on your part ensure that this Child learn the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe for his salvation?
Answer: I will, by God’s help.
Will you also ensure that this Child, after sufficient instruction, is brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him?
Answer: I will, by God’s help.
When Adults are to be baptized, the Minister shall address them as follows, with those to be baptized answering for themselves.
Beloved in Christ, you have come here desiring to receive holy Baptism. We have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would graciously receive you, to release you from sin, to sanctify you with the Holy Spirit, to give you the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life.
Do you renounce the devil and all his works, the vain attractions and glory of this evil world, with all the its covetousness, and the sinful desires of fallen human nature, so that you will not follow, nor be led by, them?
Answer: I renounce them all, and by God’s help, intend not to follow, or be led by, them.
Do you believe in Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God?
Answer: I do.
Do you accept him, and desire to follow him as your Savior and Lord?
Answer: I do.
Do you believe the whole content of the Christian Faith, as contained in the Apostles’ Creed?
Answer: I do.
Do you wish to be baptized in this Faith?
Answer: That is my desire.
Will you also obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in them all the days of your life?
Answer: I will, by God’s help.
Then shall the Minister make the following supplications for all candidates:
Merciful God, grant that like as Christ died and rose again, so this Child (this your Servant) may die to sin, and rise to newness of life. Amen.
Grant that all sinful desires may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him. Amen.
Grant that he may have power and strength by faith to have victory and to triumph, against the devil, the world and sinful human nature. Amen.
Grant that whoever is here dedicated at this time to you by my office and ministry may also be given heavenly virtues, and your everlasting reward, through your mercy, Blessed Lord God, who live and govern all things, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord be with you
Answer: And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
Answer: We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Answer: It is fitting and right to do so
It is very fitting, right, our obligation and duty, that we should always and everywhere give thanks and praise to you, Lord, holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, because your most dearly beloved Son, for the forgiveness of our sins, shed from his most precious side at the Cross both water and blood; and later gave commandment to his disciples, that they should go teach all nations and baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Hear, we humbly ask, the prayer of your people; sanctify this water to the mystical washing away of sin; and grant, that this Child (this your Servant), now to be baptized in it, may receive the fullness of your grace, and ever remain in the number of your faithful children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Minister takes the child into his arms, or by the hand, and says to the godparents,
Name this Child.
If the person to be baptized is an adult, he shall ask the witnesses his Name.
Then the minister shall proceed to the Baptism saying for each candidate, as he dips him in the Water or pours Water upon him:
N I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then the Minister shall say the following and make the sign of the Cross upon the forehead.
We receive this Child (this Person) into membership of Christ’s flock, and sign him with the sign of the Cross, symbolizing that from this time forward he shall not be ashamed to proclaim the faith of Christ crucified and courageously to fight under his banner against sin, the world and the devil; and to continue Christ’s faithful soldier and servant to the end of his life. Amen.
Then the Minister shall say,
Beloved in Christ, now that this Child (this Person) has been born anew and has been received into the family of Christ’s Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty God for these blessings; and with one mind pray to him, that this Child (this Person) may lead the rest of his life according to the promises made on his behalf (by him) today.
All join together in the Lord’s Prayer, in the traditional or modern version,
(a) Our Father who art in heaven, …
(b) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name….
Then the Minister shall say,
Most merciful Father, we offer you sincere thanks, that it has pleased you to grant this Child (this your Servant) new birth by your Holy Spirit, to receive him as your own Child, and to make him a member of your holy Church. We humbly ask you to grant that he, being dead to sin, may live unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in his death, may also share in his resurrection; so that finally, within your holy Church, he may be an inheritor of your everlasting kingdom through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then the Minister shall also say,
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, strengthen you internally with power by his Spirit, that Christ dwelling in your heart by faith, you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Amen.
It is proper that every baptized Adult should be confirmed by the Bishop as soon after his Baptism as is possible, and that immediately afterwards he will be admitted to Holy Communion.
[In the 1662 edition of The Book of Common Prayer, the service begins with an Exhortation which is different from that in 1928 and then has a long prayer, filled with biblical typology, which is not used by 1928. Here is the Exhortation and the Prayer in a modern form.]
Dearly beloved in Christ, the Sacrament of Baptism is offered because our Lord Jesus Christ taught us that we cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we are born anew of Water and the Holy Spirit. This new birth is necessary because all human beings have both a disposition towards evil and are also sinners. Therefore, I ask you to call upon God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that in his great mercy he will grant new birth to this child; that he may be baptized with water and the Holy Spirit, and received into Christ’s holy Church and be made a living member thereof.
Almighty and everlasting God, who in mercy saved Noah and his family in the Ark when the great flood came, who safely led the children of Israel through the Red Sea, symbolizing thereby holy Baptism; and who by the Baptism in the river Jordan of your Son, Jesus Christ, sanctified water to the mystical washing away of sin; in your infinite mercy look on this child, wash and sanctify him by the Holy Spirit, we pray, in order that, being delivered from your wrath, he may be received into the Ark of Christ’s Church. Make him to be steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, so that passing through the dangers and anxieties caused by the world, he may finally come to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with you forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
END
The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon MA., D.Phil (Oxford)
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