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 a position paper on baptism for The United Methodist Church and as an official interpretive statement of the new Services of the Baptismal Covenant found in the 1989 Hymnal.
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 Resolutions and that it be offered in book form with a leader's guide for study by the Church.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22822-DI-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference