In baptism we are joined with Christ in his death and resurrection, are incorporated into the community that is the Body of Christ and are commissioned as agents of peace, justice and reconciliation in the world.
Thus, our deepest and most fundamental spirituality springs from our baptism, the event in which an indissoluble bond is created between us and God and through which we receive a new identity and purpose.
Our baptismal liturgy is full of many Biblical images that express the meaning of baptism: creation and new birth, freedom from anything that would bind us, dying and rising, the washing away of all that separates us from God, enlightenment, renewal by the Spirit, reclothing in a new identity.
Baptismal Life
Baptismal life is laid out in the renunciations and affirmations in the baptismal liturgy along with the words of the baptismal covenant. Renouncing evil and anything that attempts to destroy God’s creatures and creation, we turn to Christ as we affirm that we will, with God’s help:
- Continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
- Persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
- Proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.
- Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself.
- Strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.
- Safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth.