2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5510–5530

5510. (When the parents, guardians or other sponsors have presented themselves with their children before the minister, the minister shall say:)

Dear friends, you have brought these children whom God has given you to be baptized, thereby testifying to your own commitment of faith in Christ and the assurance you hold that the grace of God is even now at work in their lives. Forasmuch as these children are now presented by you, it will be your duty as parents to teach them as soon as they are able to learn, the nature and meaning of this sacrament. In order to testify to your faith and to your desire to nurture your children within this faith, please respond to these questions.

Do you present your children for baptism as a sign of the grace of God which is extended even now to your children through the atoning work of Christ and declares them to be a part of the family of God? And,

Do you promise with the help of God to bring your children up in the instruction and discipline of the Lord, to pray with them and for them, and to make every effort to so order your own life that you will not cause these little ones to stumble? And,

Do you intend to encourage your children as soon as they are able to comprehend its significance to acknowledge personally their own faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to serve God faithfully in the fellowship of His Church?

(Then the parents will respond:)


We do, God being our helper.


(Then the minister shall ask the parents or guardians the name of each child, take it in arms, and baptize each child saying:)

____________ ____________, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Then the minister may pray.)
5515. (When the candidates for baptism have presented themselves before the minister, the minister shall say:)

Dear friends, in keeping with the example of Jesus, you have presented yourselves this day that you might receive the sacrament of baptism. Baptism is not itself the door to salvation, but rather is an outward sign of the new birth which God has wrought in your heart. It proclaims to all the world that you have taken Christ Jesus as the Lord of your lives, and that it is your purpose always to obey Him. In order that we may hear your testimony of what God has done for you, and that we may know that you understand the significance of the step you are taking, we want to ask you these questions:

Do you believe in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? That Jesus Christ the Son suffered in your place on the cross, that He died but rose again, that He now sits at the Father’s right hand until He returns to judge all people at the last day? And do you believe in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God? That by the grace of God every person has the ability and responsibility to choose between right and wrong, and that those who repent of their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are justified by faith?

Answer: All this I steadfastly believe.

Do you intend by this act to testify to all the world that you are a Christian and that you will be a loyal follower of Christ?

Answer: I do.

(Then the minister shall ask the name of each candidate and shall immerse the candidate in water, or if desired, sprinkle or pour water, saying:) ____________, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Then the minister shall pray.)
5530. (Persons who were baptized as infants, upon coming to maturity and being converted, and desiring to make personal the vows earlier taken in their behalf by their parents, may do so by publicly answering the questions in the ritual of baptism as given in 5515 and as directed by the pastor.)

Dear friends, ______________ were presented by their parents for baptism as children. They now desire to make personal the vows made in their behalf by publicly declaring their commitment to the faith in which they were baptized.
(Then the minister shall address the candidate:)

Do you believe in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? That Jesus Christ the Son suffered in your place on the cross, that He died but rose again, that He now sits at the Father’s right hand until He returns to judge all people at the last day? And do you believe in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God? That by the grace of God every person has the ability and responsibility to choose between right and wrong, and that those who repent of their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are justified by faith?

Answer: All this I steadfastly believe.

Do you affirm the act of your parents as they presented you for baptism and do you hereby testify to all the world that you are a Christian and that you will be a loyal follower of Christ?

Answer: I do.

(Then the minister shall pray.)