BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION - Alternative Services Second Series - Adult Baptism and Confirmation

Sep 21, 2026

Authorised for experimental use in the Church of England, this Alternative Services Second Series outlines the liturgy for Baptism and Confirmation. It details governance under the Prayer Book (Alternative and Other Services) Measure 1965, provides notes on omissions and joining responses, and presents the full order for adult candidates. The text includes prescribed prayers, scripture lessons, psalm references, gospel reading of Mark 1, and the baptismal decision and blessing of the water.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

I Adult Baptism and Confirmation

Adult Baptism and Confirmation

aordly Alternative ServicesSecond Series BAPTISM ANDCONFIRMATION These Services have been authorised for experimental use in the Church ofEngland under the provisions of the Prayer Book(Alternativeand Other Services)Measure 1965. Their use is governed by section 3 of this Measure,which readsas follows:A form or draft of a form of Service approved undereither section one or section two of this Measure may not beused in any Cathedral which is a parish church or in any Churchin a parish without the agreement of the Parochial ChurchCouncil of the parish or in any Guild Church without the agree-ment of the Guild Church Council,or in the case of Servicesknown as Occasional Offices if any of the persons concernedobjects beforehand to its use. Notes Sections not preceded by the symbol▶may be omitted. Except in sections 23 and 69,the printing of prayers in shortlines shows that the People,the candidates,or the parentsand sponsors should or may join with the minister. Responses are printed in italics The pointing of the psalms is explained on p.26. 33 Contents I Adult Baptism and ConfirmationI2 Adult Baptism83 Infant BaptismIO4 ConfirmationI6Appendix of Psalms2IAppendix of Scripture Passages23 # 1.The Baptism and Confirmationof those who are old enough toanswer for themselves Introduction 1.At the entry of the Ministers Psalm 34.1-8 or a hymn maybe sung. ▶ 2.Then shall the Bishop say, The Lord be with you;And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Almighty God,who at the Baptism of thy Christ in theRiver Jordan didst declare him to be thine only-begottenSon:Grant that in Baptism these thy servants may bemade his members by thy Holy Spirit,and become thychildren in the family of thy Church;through the samethy Son Jesus Christ our Lord,who with thee and thesame Spirit is alive and reigns,one God,world withoutend.Amen. 3.The following lesson may then be read.Ezekiel 36.25a,26-8 Thus says the Lord God:Iwill sprinkle clean water uponyou,and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses.A new heart I will give you,and a new spirit I will putwithin you;and I will take out of your flesh the heart ofstone and give you a heart of flesh.And I will put myspirit within you,and cause you to walk in my statutesand be careful to observe my ordinances.You shall dwellin the land which I gave to your fathers;and you shall bemy people,and I will be your God. The text of all the psalms included in this Order will befound in the Appendix of Psalms on pp.2I-3· # Adult Baptism and Confirmation 4.Psalm 107.1-9 or a hymn may then be sung. 5.The following lesson shall then be read.But it may beomitted if the Old Testament lesson has been read.1 Corinthians 12.12,13 Christ is like a single body with its many limbs andorgans,which,many as they are,together make up onebody.For indeed we were all brought into one body byBaptism,in the one Spirit,whether we are Jews or Greeks,whether slaves or free men,and that one Holy Spirit waspoured out for all of us to drink. 6.Psalm 97.9-12 or a hymn may then be sung. ▶7.The following lesson shall then be read;and when theGospel is announced,the People shall answer, Glory be to thee,O Lord. Mark 1.1-11 Here begins the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. In the prophet Isaiah it stands written:'Here is my heraldwhom I send on ahead of you,and he will prepare yourway.A voice crying aloud in the wilderness,"Prepare away for the Lord;clear a straight path for him."'And soit was that John the Baptist appeared in the wildernessproclaiming a baptism in token of repentance,for theforgiveness of sins;and they flocked to him from thewhole Judaean country-side and the city of Jerusalem,and were baptized by him in the River Jordan,confessingtheir sins. John was dressed in a rough coat of camel's hair,with aleather belt round his waist,and he fed on locusts andwild honey.His proclamation ran:‘After me comes onewho is mightier than I.Iam not fit to unfasten his shoes.I have baptized

FAQs

What is the authorization basis for these services in the Church of England?

They are authorised for experimental use under the provisions of the Prayer Book (Alternative and Other Services) Measure 1965, governed by section 3 of the Measure.

What guidance is given in the notes about omitting sections and where people join in?

Sections not preceded by the symbol ▶ may be omitted. Except in sections 23 and 69, the printing of prayers in short lines indicates that the people, candidates, or parents and sponsors should or may join with the minister.

How does the service for adult candidates begin and progress?

At the entry, a psalm 34.1-8 or a hymn may be sung, followed by prayers and a lesson from Ezekiel 36. It then proceeds through further psalms and lessons, including the gospel reading of Mark 1, leading to the sermon and the adult decision and baptismal sequence.

Sep 21, 2026

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