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| The Sacrament
of Baptism |
| During a baptism, the following questions
are asked of the baptism candidate, or, if an infant or
one who cannot answer for himself or herself, the pastor
asked these questions of the parents or sponsors: |
| On behalf of the whole Church,
I ask you: |
- Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of
your sin?
- Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever
forms they present themselves?
- Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put
your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve
him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ
has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?
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| The pastor addresses parents or other
sponsors of candidates not able to answer for themselves: |
| Will you nurture these
children (persons) in Christ's holy Church, that by
your teaching and example they may be guided to accept
God's grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly,
and to lead a Christian life? |
| The pastor addresses candidates who
can answer for themselves: |
| According to the grace
given to you, will you remain faithful members of Christ's
holy Church and serve as Christ's representatives in
the world? |
| If those who have answered for themselves
have sponsors, the pastor addresses the sponsors: |
| Will you who
sponsor these candidates support and encourage them in
their Christian life? |
| The pastor addresses the congregation,
and the congregation responds: |
- Do you, as Christ's body, the Church,
reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment
to Christ?
- Will you nurture one another in the
Christian faith and life and include these persons
now before you in your care?
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| The congregation and sponsors respond
this way: |
| With God's help we will proclaim the
good news and live according to the example of Christ.
We will surround these persons with a community of love
and forgiveness, that they may grow in their trust of
God, and be found faithful in their service to others.
We will pray for them, that they may be true disciples
who walk in the way that leads to life.
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