Receive The Holy Spirit

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” 

Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Altogether there were about twelve men. He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God. (Acts 19:1-8)

“Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them.”  Sound familiar?  It should.  What follows are parts of our rites of baptism and confirmation.

CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM

Blessing of Water 

Celebrant: We ask you Father, with your Son, to send the Holy Spirit upon the waters of this font. May all who are buried with Christ in the death of Baptism also rise with him to newness of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

All: Amen 

Celebrant: Is it your will that N. should be baptized in the faith of the church, which we have all professed with you? 

Parents: It is.

Celebrant: N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Anointing with Chrism

Celebrant: God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and welcomed you into His holy people. He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, may you live always as a member of His body, sharing in everlasting life. 

All: Amen. (Celebrant anoints the babies with chrism) 

CONFIRMATION

The Laying on of Hands 

The concelebrating priest(s) stands near the bishop. He faces the people and with hands joined, sings or says: 

My dear friends: in Baptism God our Father gave the new birth of eternal life to his chosen sons and daughters. Let us pray to our Father that he will pour out the Holy Spirit to strengthen his sons and daughters with his gifts and anoint them to be more like Christ the Son of God. 

All pray in silence for a short time.  The bishop and the priests who will minister the sacrament with him lay hands upon all the candidates (by extending their hands over them). The bishop alone sings or says:

All‐powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide.  Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Anointing with Chrism

The deacon brings the chrism to the bishop. Each candidate goes to the bishop, or the bishop may go to the individual candidates. The one who presented the candidate places his right hand on the latter’s shoulder and gives the candidate’s name to the bishop; or the candidate may give his own name. The bishop dips his right thumb in the chrism and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the one to be confirmed, as he says:

N. be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

The newly confirmed responds: Amen. 

The bishop says: Peace be with you. 

The newly confirmed responds: And with your spirit. (end)

That which was done by Paul (and others) almost 2,000 years ago continues to the present day.  The Holy Spirit is an important part of us.  We pray we will respond to the Spirit’s presence in the form of wisdom and understanding; right judgment and courage; and knowledge and reverence.  When we do, we will be filled with wonder and awe.

Deacon David Pierce