1.

Do you conduct baptisms (sometimes known as Christenings)?

Baptisms are conducted under certain conditions. For adults there must be a definite coming to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, believing that He died for one’s sins upon the cross, and rising again to show that his sacrifice on our behalf was acceptable to the Father, and that thereby we are cleansed from our sin. Baptism is a sign of being united with Christ in his death and resurrection. Going under water and being lifted up again graphically symbolise these facts that a believer has embraced. Adults who were baptised as children are not usually re-baptised as the prayer of faith that was made at the time of baptism in infancy has evidently been answered in the new adult believer coming to faith in Jesus Christ. In the Anglican Church when a previously baptised person comes to faith s/he may make a public declaration of that faith before a bishop in a service known as confirmation. There is usually opportunity given for the candidate(s) to give testimony.

2.

Do you baptise infants or children?

Yes, but they must be the children of practising members of the Church who are regular at worship. Jesus words recorded at the end of Matthew’s Gospel are:-

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

On the face of it this would seem to exclude children, but there are a number of instances in the New Testament where ‘whole households’ have been baptised and this would have included children and possibly also infants. It has been a practise of the church since the beginning on the basis that God always included male Jewish children in his old covenant by the use of the covenant sign of circumcision, as the new covenant widened inclusion by belief to all nations, children of believers should be included in the covenant on the understanding that were brought up in the family of the church and that at a baptism service the believers parents and sponsors (godparents) would make promises on an infant’s behalf which s/he would confirm for her/himself at confirmation when s/he has come to a personal faith in Jesus Christ.

The services as it continues asks of the parents and godparents, before God and the congregation of the Church to make solemn promises as to their responsibilities as members of the Church and the bringing up of a child in the faith.

It has to be said that in the Ayia Napa congregation, we have people who come from Churches who only baptise adults who have declared belief and those like ourselves who baptise infants under the right conditions. We manage to happily co-exist but if you really want to read further see: http://www.issuesetc.org/resource/journals/v2n3.htm#In%20Defense%20of%20Infant%20Baptism  and related articles.

3.

Should you not baptise all infants regardless of the beliefs of the parents?

In England as the Church of England is the Established Church (State Church) it is required that each parish priest conduct the baptisms of the infants of all who ask. This is not a requirement for us as we are the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. Although in the same family of Churches, (the Anglican Communion) we are not bound by the same rules that apply solely in England. It has long been argued by many in the Church of England that the requirement to baptise infants of all-comers makes a mockery of the Sacrament that Christ gave us.
 

4.

Is there any preparation?

Most definitely! An interview with our minister Michael in the first instance to determine whether or not the parents (or the Adult) have a ‘Lively Faith.’ If this is the case, and this usually applies only to local church members, a date can be set straightaway. However, where necessary we insist on a course of preparation called ‘Christianity Explored’ . This is a seven week course looking at Christianity designed to explain the faith and the place Baptism has in it. It is a very popular course; all our existing church members have been through it. Under very special circumstances, it might be possible to discuss your situation with your minister in the UK, the best thing to do is contact Michael first.

5.

Do you sprinkle or immerse?

Water is poured on the heads of babies or infants or even children able to stand. Adults are usually baptised in the sea here in Cyprus (or in a handy swimming pool!). The volume of water is not important. Baptism in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is in the significant aspect that makes a baptism, Christian.
 

6.

Are special clothes required?

No. Though for baptism in the sea, clothing that will not spoil and will not become ‘see-through’ when wet is obviously important.

7.

Is there a fee?

No baptism, like the Gospel is free. Parents may wish to make a donation to the Church, but this is not compulsory, and like all giving as practised here voluntary, according to one’s means and strictly between God and the giver.
 

If you have any further queries please email on  anglicanchurch.se.cyprus@cytanet.com  and if of wide interest may be added to this FAQ.