The Sacraments

Baptism and the Supper

At Church of the King, we approach the sacraments with great reverence. Following the Heidelberg Catechism (Q 65), we confess that Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are “visible holy signs and seals” that have been ordained by Jesus Christ “so that by their use he might make us understand more clearly the promise of the Gospel, and might put his seal on that promise.” Below are the liturgical forms we use in our worship service.

Holy Baptism for Covenant Children

Before the administration of Baptism, the minister shall give instruction about the institution and nature of the sacrament, saying:

Congregation of the Lord Jesus, listen to the words of the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism:

  • And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.

Baptism is a sacrament ordained by the Lord Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the person baptized into the visible church, but also to be unto him the sign and seal of full participation in the covenant of grace. Teaching that we and our children are conceived and born in sin, baptism witnesses and seals to us the remission of sins and the bestowing of all the gifts of salvation through a living union with Jesus Christ.

Since these gifts of salvation are the gracious provision of the Triune God, who is pleased to claim us as his very own, we are baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And since baptized persons are called to assume the obligations of the covenant, baptism summons us to renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh, and to walk humbly with our God in devotion to his commandments.

Although our young children do not yet understand these things, they are nevertheless to be baptized. For the promise of the covenant is made to believers and to their children, as God declared to Abraham: And I will establish my covenant, between me and you and your descendants after you, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and your descendants after you.

In the New Testament no less than in the Old, the children of the faithful, born within the church, have interest in the covenant by virtue of their birth; and they have a right to the seal of it, and to all the blessings and privileges of the church. This is because the covenant of grace is the same in substance under both Testaments, and the grace of God for the consolation of believers is even more fully manifested in the New Testament. Moreover, our Savior admitted little children into his presence, embraced and blessed them, saying, Of such is the kingdom of God. So the children of the covenant are by baptism distinguished from the children of unbelievers and solemnly received into the visible church.

Addressing the parents, the minister shall say:

______________, You have heard that baptism is an ordinance of God by which He seals His covenant to us and our children. Therefore, you are now requested to answer sincerely the following questions:

  • Do you affirm in the presence of God and these witnesses that you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, that you are saved solely by faith in him, and not by any works or character of your own, but simply through faith in God’s free gift of grace in Christ?
  • Do you acknowledge that your faith in Christ places you in a covenant relationship with the Lord, and into the covenant community called the church, and that this covenant relationship was signified and sealed to you by your own baptism?
  • Do you acknowledge that, although our children are conceived and born in sin and therefore subject to condemnation, they are holy in Christ, and as members of his church ought to be baptized?
  • Do you acknowledge that the outward washing with water is not itself the washing away of sins and that your child must confess faith in Christ in order to be saved?
  • Do you promise to instruct your child in the principles of our holy religion as revealed in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and as summarized in the Confessions of this church; and do you promise to pray with and for your child, to set an example of piety and godliness before him and to endeavor by all the means of God’s appointment to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?
  • Do you acknowledge your willingness to give your child back to the Lord who placed him in your home as a sacred trust, so that if he sees fit in his good and wise providence to call him back to himself, you will not set yourself against his will?
Addressing the congregation, the minister shall say:
  • Do you, the members of this congregation, receive this child of the covenant, and do you engage with God and these parents to aid in every possible way the ministry to this family, to the end that these baptismal vows may be fulfilled?
Then, the minister shall pray for the child (reading optional):

Almighty and eternal God, you punished the unbelieving and impenitent world by the flood according to your severe judgment, yet saved believing Noah and his family in your great mercy; you drowned Pharaoh and all his hosts in the Red Sea but led your people Israel through the midst of the sea upon dry ground, by which baptism was foreshadowed. Therefore, we beseech you through your boundless mercy graciously to look upon this covenant child. Unite him by your Holy Spirit with your Son Jesus Christ, so that he too might be buried with him, in his death, and raised with him, in his resurrection, to walk in newness of life. O Father grant that he, daily growing up in him, may faithfully confess his name and cling to him in true faith, firm hope, and fervent love. Grant, further, that he may cheerfully depart from this life, and on the last day stand without fear before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit, the only true God, lives and reigns forever. Amen.

Then, the minister shall baptize the child (holding optional), saying:

______________, I baptize you into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; and may God Almighty bless you and keep you all the days of your life. Amen.

Holy Baptism for Confessing Adults

Before the administration of Baptism, the minister shall give instruction about the institution and nature of the sacrament, saying:

Congregation of the Lord Jesus, listen to the words of the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism:

  • And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.

Baptism is a sacrament ordained by the Lord Jesus Christ not only for the solemn admission of the person baptized into the visible church, but also to be unto him the sign and seal of full participation in the covenant of grace. Teaching that we and our children are conceived and born in sin, baptism witnesses and seals to us the remission of sins and the bestowing of all the gifts of salvation through a living union with Jesus Christ.

Baptism with water signifies and seals cleansing from sin by the blood and the Spirit of Christ, together with our death to sin and our resurrection to newness of life by virtue of the death and resurrection of Christ. Since these gifts of salvation are the gracious provision of the Triune God, who is pleased to claim us as his very own, we are baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And since baptized persons are called to assume the obligations of the covenant, baptism summons us to renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh, and to walk humbly with our God in devotion to his commandments.

Addressing the person to be baptized, the minister shall say:

______________, We thank God for the grace which was given you, and by which you have become a partaker of the covenant of grace. You are now requested to answer sincerely the following questions:

  • Do you believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inerrant and infallible word of God, and its doctrine, summarized in the confessions of this church, to be the perfect and only true doctrine of salvation?
  • Do you confess that because of your sinfulness you abhor and humble yourself before God and that you trust for salvation not in yourself but in Jesus Christ alone?
  • Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your sovereign Lord; and do you promise, in reliance on the grace of God, to serve him with all that is in you, to forsake the world, to mortify your old nature, and to lead a godly life?
  • Do you agree to submit in the Lord to the government of this church and, in case you should be found delinquent in doctrine or life, to obey its discipline?
Then the minister shall pray for the person to be baptized (reading optional):

Almighty and eternal God, you punished the unbelieving and impenitent world by the flood according to your severe judgment, yet saved believing Noah and his family in your great mercy; you drowned Pharaoh and all his hosts in the Red Sea but led your people Israel through the midst of the sea upon dry ground, by which baptism was foreshadowed. Therefore, we beseech you through your boundless mercy graciously to look upon your servant united by your Holy Spirit with your Son Jesus Christ, buried with him in his death and risen with him in his resurrection to newness of life. O Father, grant that he, daily following him, may joyfully bear his cross and cling to him in true faith, firm hope, and fervent love. Grant, further, that he may cheerfully depart this life, and on the last day stand without fear before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ, who together with you and the Holy Spirit, the only true God, lives and reigns forever. Amen.

Then the minister shall administer baptism, saying:

______________, I baptize you into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; and may God Almighty bless you and keep you all the days of your life. Amen.

The Lord’s Supper for Baptized Persons

Before the administration of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, the minister shall fence the table and call for a public confession of the faith, saying:

CONGREGATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, the Lord has prepared his table for all who love and trust him for their salvation. All those who have repented of their sins, have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and are not under discipline from Christ’s Church are welcome at this table. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are afar offas many as our Lord our God will call.

As we prepare to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, let us confess our faith together, singing the words of the Apostles Creed:

  • I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
  • And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
  • I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Then, the minister shall provide a brief table devotion and proceed to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper in the following order:
  1. The Blessing of the Bread and Prayer
    1. The Lord Jesus, on the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread and gave thanks. Let us pray.
  2. The Breaking of the Bread and Distribution of the Elements
    1. After giving thanks, he broke the bread and gave it to his disciples. At this time, a representative from each household, or the individuals among us, may come forward and receive the elements of the bread and wine, as we sing ______________.
  3. The Eating of the Bread
    1. The Lord Jesus said to his disciples, Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
  4. The Blessing of the Cup and Prayer
    1. In the same manner, he also took the cup after supper, and again, he gave thanks. Let us pray.
  5. The Drinking of the Cup
    1. Jesus said this cup is the new covenant in his blood, and he said to his disciples, Drink from it, all of you.