Introduction to Baptism into the Body of Christ, Confirmation, and Reception into the Anglican Communion.
Anglicans believe that the Anglican church is a part of the world wide church at all times and in all places which we call "the Body of Christ".
Baptism
Jesus told his followers to " go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" Matt 28:19.
A person becomes a member of the Church of Jesus Christ by believing in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour (ie in the Christian faith as expressed in the Bible and Creeds of the church) and by being baptised in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Believing in Jesus and being baptised into Christ makes us a Christian and initiates us into membership of the universal "Body of Christ" - the Church.
Baptism also carries with it the privilege of being able to receive Holy Communion.
If you were baptised as an infant and feel the need to renew your baptism vows for yourself as an adult with water, this can be arranged.
However we honour your original baptism also and refer to this as a "renewal of baptism vows".
Confirmation
Confirmation is the laying on of hands by the the Bishop, who is the Apostolic leader of the church, to impart the strengthening and anointing power of the Holy Spirit for christian service. The new testament variously refers to this experience as being baptised or filled with the Holy Spirit or just receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17, 9:17).
The name confirmation comes from the Latin "confirmare" which means "to strengthen with". When a person is confirmed, the leader (Bishop) lays his hands on their head and prays "Strengthen Lord this your servant with the Holy Spirit". The condition for being confirmed by the Lord through "the laying on of hands" is that we first confirm or renew our baptism promises to repent from sin and profess our faith in Jesus. Confirmation is not about us confirming our faith or baptism vows however, that is just the condition for Confirmation, and should be something we do everyday of our Christian life. Confirmation is about God confirming us not vice versa! For this reason some have referred to it as "lay ordaination" for ministry. A person being confirmed should ask themselves what gifts and talents the Lord has given them and how they can use those gifts, with God's empowering and help, in ministry to others. They should also be praying that as they are confirmed the Lord will bestow new gifts of the Spirit on them to strengthen them for Christian service.
As confirmation in the Anglican church is only done by a Bishop, it also carries with it also the privilege of being a member of the Anglican church or denomination (whom the Bishop represents as chief shepherd and leader) and of becoming a voting member of the parish and of the Diocese. A confirmed church member in a Parish church is entitled to vote and to run for election to the Church Council and Diocesan Synod (Parliament).
Reception into the Anglican Church for those already Confirmed
If you are already confirmed in an approved Episcopal church (a church with Bishops such as one of the Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, the Iglesia Philippine Independant etc) then you may either be reconfirmed or apply to be "Received" into the Anglican church of Hong Kong and Macau as a member. This "reception" will usually also take place during a Confirmation service when the Bishop visits the church.
The forms you can use to apply for Baptism, Confirmation, and Reception are here below.
Please note that "Reception" is at the discretion of the Bishop who may require you to be Confirmed again instead.
Membership of Morrison Chapel
In the coming year Morrison Chapel will set up a register of voting Members (who will make up the electoral roll or the Chapel congregations).
In order to be a voting member you must be aged 18, Baptised, Confirmed in the Anglican church (or Received), attending Morrison Chapel and not a member of another church in Macau.
Forms
- Baptism Application
- Reception into Anglican Membership Application (for those already Confirmed in another denomination)
- Confirmation Application