Thinking About Baptism or Confirmation?Classes starting soon – Confirmation service on Sept 28

In a couple of weeks, Scott will be kicking off classes for those interested in Baptism and Confirmation.

These are big and beautiful steps in the life of a Christian, and we’re looking forward to celebrating them with a special service on Sunday 28th September at 5pm, when Bishop Peter Hayward will be joining us.

Why Baptism?

Baptism is the visible, outward sign of a person becoming part of God’s family.

The word itself literally means plunging — and traditionally, it has involved immersing someone in water and bringing them up again in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That powerful action points to spiritual realities: sin washed away, new life begun, and being united with Jesus in his death and resurrection.

In the New Testament, baptism became the universal sign of entry into Christ’s kingdom and church. It was commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:18–20) and practiced by the apostles.

Baptism is deeply symbolic: it speaks of cleansing, rebirth, repentance, and belonging. It echoes back to the Old Testament — Noah’s rescue through water (1 Peter 3:21), Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea (1 Corinthians 10:2), and the promise of God’s Spirit being poured out on his people.

While we often baptise infants as a sign of God’s promise and welcome to the children of believers, it is also a wonderful thing to see older children, teenagers, and adults step forward to be baptised themselves — professing their faith in Christ and publicly taking their place in the church family.

Why Confirmation?

Confirmation is a service in the Anglican tradition where someone who has been baptised — often as a child — publicly affirms their faith and the promises made on their behalf. It’s a rite of passage that says, “This faith is mine now.”

It’s especially common in our Sydney churches for teenagers and adults to be confirmed after a period of learning and reflection.

But Confirmation is more than just a public declaration. It’s called “A Service of the Laying on of Hands” — a phrase drawn from the New Testament. Paul refers to this practice in his letters to Timothy (1 Timothy 4:14; 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6), where it symbolises the church’s commissioning, encouragement, and prayer for the empowering work of the Holy Spirit.

When the bishop lays hands on someone during Confirmation, it’s not magic — but it is meaningful. It’s a way of saying, “You’ve been growing and learning — now go and live it out. Be a disciple who loves Jesus, obeys his Word, and joins in his mission.”

Interested? Chat to Scott!

If you (or your child) are thinking about getting baptised or being confirmed, now’s the time to explore it.

Scott will be running classes in the lead-up to the service — a great chance to ask questions, learn, and prepare. Feel free to have a chat with Scott over the next week or two.

We’d love to walk with you as you take this step of faith.