Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA 229
4.2 The parents of the child presented for baptism reaffirm the Covenant of
Church Membership for themselves and assent to the Covenant of Baptism in
relation to their child. If one believing parent is not a member of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church, he or she may come forward with the one who is a member
and may give assent to the Covenant of Baptism so far as he or she is willing. If
one of the parents is not a professing Christian, that parent is encouraged to be
present and to accompany the believing parent in presenting the child, but should
not be expected or encouraged to give assent to this Covenant.
Christian parents, members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, may reaffirm
their Covenant of Church Membership by assenting to the following question:
"Do you publicly renew your profession of faith in Christ and
acknowledge your acceptance of the Covenant of Church Membership"
These parents shall then assent to the Covenant of Baptism in relation
to their child:
(a) "Do you believe your child to be a gift of God and, although a lost
sinner by nature and subject to condemnation, is holy in Christ, and as a
member of his church ought to be baptized"
(b) "Do you promise to instruct your child in the principles of our holy
faith as revealed in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and as
summarized in the Confession of Faith, Testimony, and Catechisms of this
church; and do you promise to pray with and for your child, to set an
example of personal godliness before him/her, and to endeavor by all the
means that God has appointed to bring him/her up in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord"
The congregation may also be asked;
"Do you, the members of this congregation, receive this person/child
into your fellowship and promise to pray with him/her and to help and
encourage the parents as they seek to bring him/her up in the Christian
life"
4.3 The congregation shall rise and after prayer setting apart the water from a
common to a sacramental use and seeking the presence and blessing of the triune
God that the grace signified and sealed by holy baptism may be abundantly
realized, the minister, calling the person by name, shall pour or sprinkle the water
on the head of the person, or persons, being baptized and say:
"I baptize you into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit,"
adding, if he so pleases, the Aaronic benediction:
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24)
The minister should then conclude in prayer, or may invite an assisting minister or
elder to do so.