St Nicholas Southfleet
500 by 2012
Baptism at St Nicholas
Baptism is a gift of God, and is administered in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. St Matthew records that the risen Lord, when sending his disciples into the world, commanded them to baptise (Matt. 28:18-20). 
The Meaning of Baptism
Baptism is the sign of new life through Jesus Christ which unites the one baptised with Christ and with his people. It is not a naming ceremony but is an unrepeatable act by which a man or woman having openly declared a trust in Jesus Christ and a desire to follow him, is joined to the Christian family, the Church. Because of the relational nature of baptism it involves a personal allegiance to Jesus Christ, a commitment to the life and fellowship and worship of the Church, and the gift of God of new life in Christ.
Baptism and Faith
Baptism is both God's gift and our human response to that gift. Personal commitment is necessary for responsible membership in the body of Christ.
Baptism is not only a momentary experience, but is the start of a life-long growth into Christ. Those baptised are called upon to reflect the glory of the Lord as they are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, into his likeness. The life of the Christian is necessarily one of continuing struggle yet also of continuing experience of grace. In this new relationship, the baptised live for the sake of Christ, of his Church and of the world which he loves, while they wait in hope for the manifestation of God's new creation and for the time when God will be all in all.
As they grow in the Christian life of faith, have a common responsibility, here and now, to bear witness together to the Gospel of Christ, the Liberator of all human beings. The context of this common witness is the Church and the world.
Baptism Policy
Baptism of Infants
It is the practice of the Church of England to baptise infants brought by parents or guardians who undertake, in and with the Church, to bring up their children in the Christian faith. Although baptism normally requires a personal act of faith and commitment, the Church does accept for baptism those who are not yet old enough to do this, on the understanding that the child will receive a Christian upbringing within the family of Christ’s Church. It is critical to understand that if we are going to be part of the universal Church the baptism of infants can only make sense on these terms.
It is extremely important for parents who wish to bring infants or young children for baptism to understand that baptism of infants includes a commitment on their part to bring their child up in the Christian faith, within the family of the Church. This is only possible if the parents are actively living out the Christian faith themselves.
The lifestyle of a Christian should include the following:
- Reading the Bible and coming before God in personal prayer daily.
- Taking part in the corporate worship of the Church week by week, and receiving Holy Communion regularly.
- Following the example of Jesus in daily life.
- Speaking openly about Jesus, as ones own personal Saviour.
- Upholding Christian standards in marriage.
- Living a life that is marked with simplicity and self-denial.
- Giving money for the work of the church and working seriously towards tithing.
- Giving of personal service to the church and community.
Planning for the Baptism of your Baby
If you want your baby to be baptised in St Nicholas Church you need to arrange a meeting with the Rector. (Click here for contact details)
At this meeting you will be able to decide, together with the Rector, on the date and time for the baptism (click here for times of baptism services)and put the details on to the church baptisms administration system.
Baptism of those who
come to Faith in Christ as Adults
It is also the practice of the Church of England to baptise believers coming from other religions or from unbelief who accept the Christian faith and participate in catechetical instruction.
Delaying Baptism of Children until they
make their own profession of Faith
The Church supports the desire of parents who prefer to allow their child to make their own personal confession of faith, on reaching an age when they can do this, and then to be baptised. In this case it is customary for the child to be presented and blessed, a practice often referred to as dedication, in a service known as Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child and also the commitment of the mother and father to Christian parenthood. It must be emphasised that this is not a lesser option, but is a loving response towards parents who would like to offer their child the option of a believer’s baptism. The requirements in respect of the lifestyle of the parents is the same as for baptism of infants.
General Provisions concerning Baptism
Baptism always takes place in the Church as the community of faith.
It is not the practice of this parish to administer baptism to an infant where neither parent is a member of the parish without the concurrence of the parish priest of the parish where the parents are resident.
Re-baptism
There is no such thing as re-baptism! Anyone who has been baptised as an infant and has come to faith later, who wishes to make a public statement of faith may do so in the form of a re affirmation of baptismal vows, or in the rite of confirmation.
Office Address:
The Rectory
Hook Green Rd
Southfleet
Kent
DA13 9NQ