Baptismal Promise and Conforminty to the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of TEC

In your baptism you promised to “accept Jesus Christ as your savior”, to “trust in his grace and love” and to “follow and obey him as your Lord.” If you are ordained you will promise: “I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church.”

How do you understand these two promises in relationship to one another?

The relationship of these two promises is a matter of much discussion in these days of post modern, post Christian times. The challenge may be difficult for some, but I find that my baptismal promise, made by my parents and affirmed by me at my confirmation, is easy to uphold, but only though God’s grace and mercy. I unequivicoly state that “I accept Jesus Christ as my savior”, “I trust in his grace and love” and that “I will follow and obey him as my Lord.” This is my primary call in life, continually drawing closer to Jesus Christ.

If I am ordained, the promise to “solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church” will fit properly with my baptismal promise as my primary directive as I continue drawing closer to Jesus Christ, as long as the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church is based on Holy Scripture.

With relativism infiltrating all aspects of life, I will have to be on guard keeping the priorities in the correct order; first, scripture, second, tradition, and third, reason.

I will be able to fulfill the promises of my baptismal covenant and engage in the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the church by remembering Paul’s words in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” I can be in the world and not of the world through God’s grace.

James Brzezinski - 25 September 2008