First and foremost: This service does not guarantee salvation for the child. Each person must, by the teachings of Holy Scripture, confess Jesus as Lord, believing in His resurrection (Romans 10:9), to receive adoption in the family of God (Romans 8:14-17) and eternal life (John 3:16). Each new believer must also undergo Christian Baptism as a sign he has confessed Jesus as Lord and has, by the Holy Spirit, become a member of the Church, the Body of Christ on earth (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 3:21).

To the Parents:

N. and N., Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life? If so, please respond by saying, “I will.”

Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ? If so, please respond by saying, “I will.”

Will you promise to set a faithful example of worship, fellowship, and love for the child God has brought into you lives? If so, please respond by saying, “I will.”

To the congregation:

Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons as they raise their children in their life in Christ? If so, please respond by standing and joining me in confirming the beliefs of the Church.

Pastor:    Christians, what will we teach our children about God, the Father Almighty?

People:    We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

Pastor:    Christians, what will we teach our children about Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord?

People:    We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.

Pastor:    Christians, what will we teach our children about Jesus and our salvation?

People:    For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,  and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

Pastor:    Christians, what will we teach our children about the Holy Spirit?

People:    We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.

Pastor:    Christians, what will we teach our children about the Church, the eternal Body of believers?

People:    We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Please join me in prayer:

Almighty God, giver of life and love, we praise you for blessing N. and N. with the birth of N. Grant them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in trials, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. And so knit their wills together in your will and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may live together in love and peace all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.