Baptism 

There's no age limit for baptism. In holy baptism a person is received into the universal Christian Church and the local paris. The Lutheran Church baptises infants, older children and adults.

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Welcome into God’s family and into membership of the church through the life-giving water of baptism. Jesus instituted the ritual of baptism. That is why we call it a sacrament. In baptism, God extends his grace to us and offers us the gift of eternal life. 

The actual ritual of baptism is rich in symbolic meaning. It speaks of being raised to life with Christ and of being made clean through his death. It refers to the ark of Noah, through which Noah and his family were saved from drowning in the great flood. It also refers to the Red Sea, through which the people of Israel escaped to safety when the Egyptian army was chasing them. 

It is customary in the Lutheran Church to baptise infants within a few months from birth. The gifts that God offers them in baptism—even when they are still too young to understand—are too marvelous to withhold from the children we love. Children often receive their names when they are baptised. This practice reminds us that God knows and calls them by name. 

Whether you are baptised as an infant or as an adult, you will be blessed with godparents. They are there to support you throughout your life and to walk with you in your journey of faith.
 

For more, please see here.

Jesus came and said to them:
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20 (NRSV)

Do you wish to have yourself or your child baptised?

If you wish to become a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and your local parish, if you're seeking baptism, or if you wish to have your child baptised, please get in touch with your local parish. We recommend you do this well in advance of your desired date.

For parishes, please see here.

A child under the age of 12 can only be baptised and received as a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church if at least one of the legal guardians is a member of the Church. Infants are often baptised around the age of two months, but there is no age limit. For children and youths aged 12 to 17, written permission from both the child and their guardian(s) is required, but the guardians do not need to be members of the Church themselves.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church does not re-administer baptisms. Therefore, those who have received Christian baptism earlier will not be baptised again and can join the church without baptism.

Youths and adults will receive education in the Christian faith and the Lutheran confession before baptism and registration as church members. Baptism and confirmation classes can be given in private or in groups.

Baptism is administered by a pastor in a church, a chapel or other church premises, but it is also possible to have the ceremony at home or another suitable place. Likewise, baptism can occur in a regular worship service, although a private ceremony is usually preferred.  Regardless of the manner and location, baptism is always a Christian worship service and a family occasion.

Let the little children come to me! Don’t hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to people such as these.
Luke 18:16 (NRSV)

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