Baptism is the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When he had risen from the dead, Jesus commanded his followers to go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is the symbolic washing of a person with water. It is an outward sign of God’s inward gift to a person of forgiveness for the wrong in their life, and a new, eternal life that God gives freely to all who put their trust in Jesus.
At their baptism, the person being baptised promises to follow Jesus Christ, to turn away from their sin, to reject selfish and unjust living, and to reject all that is evil. This marks the beginning of a new relationship with God and the person who has been baptised.
Children are baptised in response to God’s all-embracing love. Parents and godparents who have responded to that love bring these children for baptism and make the promises on behalf of the child. The parents and godparents must express their own trust and commitment to God, and their intention to bring up their child in the Christian faith. In due time, when the child is old enough to answer for themselves, he/she should make his/her own response to God, and be prepared for confirmation.
Eligibility for Baptism at the Cathedral
To be baptised at St Paul’s Cathedral, you should have a meaningful connection to our community through one of the following:
Primary Connection
* Member of the Cathedral electoral roll
* Regular and habitual worship at the Cathedral (defined as):
– Attending 12 times in the preceding 12 months, and
– Attending 3 times in the preceding 3 months
* Active participation in Cathedral ministries or activities
If you have a primary connection to the Cathedral, please talk to a member of clergy directly after the Sunday service to discuss your desire for baptism.
Secondary Connection
* Family members of regular worshippers
* Those with historical ties to the Cathedral
* Those who have participated in Cathedral life in other ways
If you worship primarily at another church, we will need to consult with your local parish priest before proceeding with baptism arrangements.
If you think you have a secondary connection to the Cathedral, please write a letter to the Dean outlining your faith journey and your desire for baptism and explaining how you meet the qualifying criteria, and email it to welcome@stpaulscathedral.org.au
