Questions to be asked at an infant baptism

Parents

1. Do you acknowledge that you are saved only through faith in Jesus, that you trust not in anything you have done or will ever do, but only in His finished work - His death upon the Cross, by which He took upon Himself the penalty for Your sins?

2. Do you realise that baptism is not a saving ordinance, and though it signifies your children's membership in the covenant community, it is not a matter of magic? Do you understand that your children are themselves responsible to receive Christ as Saviour and Lord as they become accountable to Him?

3. Do you in this sacrament covenant together with God to raise your children in the instruction, obedience, and worship of the Lord, to pray for and with them, to keep them in the fellowship of God's people, to be faithful and loving in your home, to be immediate examples of faith, and therefore to do your utmost to lead them to a saving knowledge of Christ at an early age?

4. Do you acknowledge that your children are a gift of God, who are of course to be cherished and enjoyed, but who belong at last not to you but to God? Do you undertake to assist your children in every possible way as they seek to lead a life of devoted service to his Lord and Saviour?

Do you, with God's help, undertake not to hinder your children should they feel called to serve God in a far-away place?

Do you, with God's help, undertake not to complain against God should your children die before you?

Congregation

Do you, the members of this congregation, agree to pray for these parents as they raise their children in the Christian faith, and to support them in their efforts by providing their children with further examples of obedience and service to God? Should these parents neglect their God-given task, will you in all humility rebuke and correct them?

Questions to be asked of new members

Questions to be asked of new members:

1. Do you know that God exists as a personal God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and acknowledge that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh?

2. Do you acknowledge that you are a sinner, not only in thought, word and deed, but in your very nature; thus if God were to judge you as you deserve he would have to condemn you?

3. Do you know that when Jesus Christ died on the cross, he paid the penalty for your sin and did everything necessary to make you right with God?

4. Do you know God's promise that "he who believes on the Son has eternal life", and have you personally repented of your sin and trusted Christ as your saviour, so that you can say without presumption that you are now a child of God?

5. Do you intend to serve Christ and to make him lord over every area of your life, realizing that this may be costly and that you will need to depend daily on God's strength?

6. Do you recognise the authority of the elders and are you willing to accept their discipline if that should ever be necessary?

7. Do you promise to support this congregation by prayer, giving, and caring practically for individuals?

8. Do you commit yourself to fostering healthy relationships in this congregation, recognising that this includes the stifling of gossip and the expression of any criticism in a positive and humble way to the person concerned?