“Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 292).
A mini catechism used at baptisms and on Easter and other special occasions, the Baptismal Covenant opens with a question-and-answer version of the statement of faith that is the Apostles’ Creed and adds five questions regarding how we, as Christians, are called to live out our faith.
Celebrant: | Do you believe in God the Father? |
People: | I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. |
Celebrant: | Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? |
People: | I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. |
Celebrant: | Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? |
People: | I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. |
Celebrant: | Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers? |
People: | I will, with God’s help. |
Celebrant: | Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? |
People: | I will, with God’s help. |
Celebrant: | Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? |
People: | I will, with God’s help. |
Celebrant: | Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? |
People: | I will, with God’s help. |
Celebrant: | Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? |
People: | I will, with God’s help. |
(Book of Common Prayer, pp. 304-305)
The Bible
The Book of Common Prayer
The Catechism
“It is a commentary on the creeds, but is not meant to be a complete statement of belief and practices; rather, it is a point of departure for the teacher” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 844).
The Creeds
“The Creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 851).
Holy Baptism
“Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 298).
In the waters of baptism we are lovingly adopted by God into God’s family, which we call the Church, and given God’s own life to share and reminded that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ.
The Rite of Holy Baptism can be found on pp. 297-308 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Holy Communion
The Sacraments
“Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 857).
Besides baptism and the Eucharist (Holy Communion), the church recognizes other spiritual markers in our journey of faith. These include:
- Confirmation (the adult affirmation of our baptismal vows), pp. 413-419, Book of Common Prayer
- Reconciliation of a Penitent (private confession), pp. 447-452, Book of Common Prayer
- Matrimony (Christian marriage), pp. 422-438, Book of Common Prayer
- Orders (ordination to deacon, priest, or bishop), pp. 510-555, Book of Common Prayer
- Unction (anointing with oil those who are sick or dying) pp. 453-467, Book of Common Prayer
These help us to be a sacramental people, seeing God always at work around us.