Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 159"Bless so much of this water as shall be used upon thisoccasion, which we now, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Kingand Head of the Church, set apart from a common to asacramental use. "Without closing his prayer, the teaching elder shall sprinkle or pour thewater on the head of each person to be baptized, saying, "[Full name], Ibaptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the HolySpirit." After the last baptism, he shall add, "one God, over all, blessedforever. Amen." He shall conclude the prayer, or invite an assisting elder todo so.The congregation may also be asked, "Do you, the members of thiscongregation, receive this person/child into your fellowship and promise topray with him/her and to help and encourage the parents as they bringhim/her up in the Christian life?"6. The minister and the clerk of session should keep an accurate recordof all persons baptized, with the date, and in the case of a child, with thenames of the parents and the date of birth. A certificate of baptism should begiven to the person baptized.The Lord's Supper7. Since the sacrament of the Lord's Supper symbolizes the believers'abiding in Christ, feeding spiritually on Him, and continuing loyalty to Hischurch,it is to be observed frequently, as often as the Session determines, inkeeping with the reverence commanded in I Cor. 11. Its symbols are breadand the cup.8. a. The Lord's Supper is to be administered only to those who havebeen baptized, and are communicant members in good standing in some truebranch of the visible church.b. No person should be admitted to the Lord's Supper whose manner oflife is notably inconsistent with his Christian profession or who is unknown tothe session in charge of the Table.c. Every session must guard the purity of the Sacrament by exercisingdiligent and continual oversight of those under its care, never assuming thatchurch membership alone is sufficient basis for admission to the Sacrament.Those who seek to commune but are not under care of the session must beexamined.9. It is the privilege and duty of every member to observe the Lord'sSupper regularly and with careful preparation. The people should be notifiedat least a week in advance of the celebration of the Sacrament. The Sessionmay provide for one or more services of preparation, at times convenient forthe congregation, including the preceding Lord's Day. The Covenant ofChurch Membership may be explained at some time during the services ofpreparation or at the sacramental service.