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. (The other sacrament that the Lutheran Church recognises is Holy Communion.) 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—is too marvellous to withhold it from the children we love. Children often receive their names when they are baptised. It reminds us that God knows 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.

These pages are for you who are interested to know more about Lutheran baptism in Helsinki, whether you are a parent, a potential godparent, or seeking to join the church of Christ through adult baptism.

Follow these links to read more about:

• Baptising a child
• Receiving adult baptism
• Choosing or becoming a godparent
• How to prepare for baptism
• What happens in the baptism ceremony
• Hymns and songs to sing at the baptism
• How to choose names for your child

If you cannot find what you are looking for or want to talk to a pastor or other church representative, please contact the office of your local parish or come to the Sunday church service and talk to the pastor afterwards.

The English-language congregation of the Helsinki Lutheran Church is St. Matthew's International Lutheran Church serving all Christians of the greater Helsinki region who would like to worship in English. St. Matthew's offers regular Workship Service every Sunday at 2pm at St. Matthew's Church (Matteuksenkirkko) next to the Itäkeskus metro station. For more information, please see the web pages of St Matthew's Church.