The Parish Church of Saint Matthew
Big Lamp ~ Newcastle
Baptism/Christening
Baptism
(often
called
“
Christ
ening”,
because
in
Baptism
we
are
made
people
of
Jesus
Christ
)
is
the
rite
(=a
mixture
of
words
and
ceremonies)
by
which
a
person
is
made
a
member
of
the
Church.
Put
simply,
in
response
to
a
commitment
of
faith
the
candidate
is
washed
with
water
as
a
sign
that
the
old
life
of
unbelief
is
washed
away.
Baptism
is
one
of
the
seven
Sacraments
of
the
Church,
which
means
that Christians believe it to be a serious undertaking.
Anyone
who
lives
in
the
parishes
connected
with
Saint
Matthew’s
or
has
an
established
connexion
with
the
parishes
can
be
baptized
here.
Baptism
is
administered
in
response
to
a
declaration
of
faith
and
an
intention
to
reform
your
life.
For
babies
and
infants,
this
declaration
is
made
by
the
parents
and
godparents.
For
adults,
Baptism
is
often
administered
by
the
Bishop
in
conjunction
with
Confirmation,
which
completes
the
rite;
babies
and
infants
are
baptized
on
the
understanding
that
they
will
be
brought
for Confirmation when they are old enough.
Babies
and
infants
who
are
baptized
need
three
godparents,
who
should
themselves
have
been
baptized.
Baptism
is
usually
administered
at
12.15pm
on
a
Sunday:
though
it
can
sometimes
take
place
at
the
High
Mass.
If
you
would
like
to
be
baptized
or
arrange
a
Baptism
for
your
child,
please
contact
the Vicar before making any other arrangements.
Jesus
came
and
said
to
the
disciples,
"All
authority
in
heaven
and
on
earth
has
been
given
to
me.
Go
therefore
and
make
disciples
of
all
nations,
baptizing
them
in
the
name
of
the
Father
and
of
the
Son
and
of
the
Holy
Spirit,
teaching
them
to
observe
all
that
I
have
commanded
you;
and
lo,
I
am with you always, to the close of the age."
Matthew 28: 18 - 20
