What is a Sacrament?
A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. God gives us the sign as a means by which we receive that grace and as a tangible assurance that we do in fact receive it (ACNA Catechism, Q121).
The signs of the sacraments are water (in baptism) and the bread and wine (in communion/Eucharist).
The grace (or we could say, gift) in baptism is death to sin and new birth in righteousness. The grace (or gift) in communion is nourishment, strength and renewal by the Spirit as we spiritually feast on the body and blood of Christ.
In the Anglican way of following Jesus, we invite to be baptized those who have repented of their sins and placed their faith in Jesus Christ, as well as their children.
Because we believe that baptism is not only a sign, but also a means of receiving God’s grace, we strongly encourage people to be baptized only one time. For those who wish to renew their baptismal vows, we create space for the public restoration of one’s faith.
We recognize that there are a plurality of views about infant baptism in the Church of Jesus Christ, and so parents may choose to have their children baptized or blessed (like a dedication; no water involved).
If you’d like to be baptized, to restore your faith, or to have your child baptized or blessed, indicate that here.
Learn more about how we understand baptism through the video below: