Petition Text: 21055-DI-NonDis-O

Understanding Petition Numbers

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Whereas, the 1988 General Conference directed the Board of Discipleship, along with the Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, to study the meaning of the sacrament of baptism as it related to confirmation and other rites of the Church; and,

Whereas, the 1992 General Conference received the committee's report entitled "By Water and the Spirit"; and

Whereas, the 1992 General Conference instructed the committee, in conjunction with The United Methodist Publishing House, to publish the report, "By Water and the Spirit," along with a study guide and a response questionnaire; and

Whereas, the committee has received the responses from a broad cross-section of the Church, evaluated them, and revised the paper with the responses in mind;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the 1996 General Conference of The United Methodist Church approve "By Water and the Spirit" as the official interpretive statement of the new Services of the Baptismal Covenant found in the 1989 Hymnal and the 1992 Book of Worship.

And further be it resolved, that "By Water and the Spirit" be used by Church School Publications and by the General Board of Discipleship as a guide for teaching about baptism.

And further be it resolved, that it commend this interpretation of baptism and its relation to confirmation and other rites of the Church to any entity of the Church interpreting or administering the sacraments.

And further be it resolved, that "By Water and the Spirit" be published in The Book of Discipline and be published in book form with a leader's guide for study.

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Petition Text: 21055-DI-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference