Christ the King Episcopal Church
Lakeland, Florida
BAPTISMAL COVENANT
"Let us join with those who are committing
themselves to Christ
and renew our own
baptismal covenant."
(Book of Common Prayer)
The Baptismal Covenant in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) stands as one of the most influential liturgical formulations in modern Anglicanism, shaping both personal discipleship and the church’s public identity. Historically, it emerged in its current form in the 1979 American BCP, reflecting a renewed theological emphasis on baptism as full initiation into the Christian community and on the active vocation of all the baptized. This development drew on early Christian catechetical patterns and the ecumenical liturgical movement of the twentieth century, which sought to recover baptism’s centrality in Christian life.
Its purpose is twofold: first, to articulate the core beliefs of the Christian faith in a form suitable for baptismal rites; second, to outline the ethical and missional commitments expected of baptized Christians. The covenant functions as both confession and commission—affirming belief in the Triune God and pledging a life shaped by discipleship, repentance, proclamation, service, and justice. It is widely regarded as a normative statement of what it means to follow Christ within the Episcopal tradition.
In form, the covenant is structured as a dialogue between celebrant and people. The first section consists of three questions based on the Apostles’ Creed, grounding the rite in the church’s ancient baptismal confession. The second section contains five promises that describe the baptized life: continuing in apostolic teaching and fellowship, resisting evil, proclaiming the gospel, seeking and serving Christ in all persons, and striving for justice and peace while respecting human dignity. Each promise is answered with the refrain, “I will, with God’s help,” emphasizing divine grace as the foundation of Christian living.
In content, the covenant integrates belief and practice, uniting doctrinal affirmation with ethical responsibility. It encapsulates the Episcopal Church’s vision of baptism not merely as a ritual moment but as a lifelong commitment to faith, community, and compassionate action.