"I promise ... actually no! I covenant."

Dear Cooper:

In the Anglican tradition the Baptism happens in three (not surprising!) parts. The promises, the Baptism and the Duties. The promises are the covenant that your God-parents are making with and before God. Then you are Baptized. Then (because the promises are so important) I take a moment to remind your God-parents of their promises and what they mean, and I ask them if they really intend to follow through! If there are any hesitations about these covenant promises we should chat about them pretty soon.

So what are the promises? Well - here is the text we will follow:

THE PROMISES
Then the Priest will say to the God-parents:
†: Candice, Bryan and Adam, you have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ will receive, cleanse, and sanctify this child, and grant him the blessing of eternal life, which things Christ, for His part, will most surely do. And now this child, on his part, must through you, his God-parents, promise and vow that he will renounce the devil and all his works, believe in Christ, and obediently keep God’s commandments.

†: I demand therefore: DO you, in the name of this child, renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that you will not follow nor be led by them?
God-parents: I do.

†: Let us all recite the Articles of our Belief.

All:

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated on the right hand of God the Father Almighty. He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Then the Priest will say to the God-parents:
†: DO you, in the name of this child, profess this faith?
God-parents: I do.

†: DO you, in the name of this child, seek Baptism into this faith?
God-parents: I do.

†: DO you, in the name of this child, acknowledge the duty to keep God’s holy will and commandments, walking steadfastly in the Way of Christ?
God-parents: I do.

†: Do you promise to pray for this child, and take care that he may learn and do all these things?
God-parents: I do.

†: O MERCIFUL God, grant that all sinful desires may die in this child, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him.
All: Amen.

†: GRANT that he may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh.
All: Amen.

†: GRANT that all here who today may turn to you, and begin to walk in your ways, may continue to live according to your will, and know the light of your love forever.
All: Amen.

†: GRANT that this child here dedicated to You by this sacrament and ministry may also receive through your mercy heavenly virtues and everlasting blessings. We humbly ask this, O blessed Lord God, who does live, and govern all things, world without end.
All: Amen.

One reaction to this is: "Wow, it feels like my wedding all over again!" Exactly! Just like a wedding covenant this is a covenant and must be taken just as seriously. So just like a wedding, if there are any uncertainties, we must deal with them sooner rather than later.

So that is the end of the promises. If all goes well we can move on to the actual Baptism.

Please encourage mom and dad, and your God-parents to read these statements over and pray about each. It is completely OK for them to discuss them with their pastors, or call me if they have any concerns or any questions. Cooper, the very last thing we want is for anyone to make a promise to God that they are uncertain about. Covenants are a big deal - we really need to take them seriously and be confident we can faithfully do all we are saying we will do.

That's enough for today.

Be blessed

†HE
Thursday, January 26, 2017