The Baptisms of Water ⛲

A Baptism of Water is the first rite of initiation into the Roman Carpocratic Church. It is not for salvation—salvation is universal and inevitable—but for intention, confession, and transformation. Those who take this baptism begin their journey in Wisdom.

While it serves as an initiation into our Church, it is not a one-time act. Just as confession may be made as often as needed, so too may a Gnostic return to the water, seeking renewal, revelation, or release. Whether as a first commitment, a reaffirmation, or a ritual of healing, baptism may be received whenever the Gnostic feels called to it. It serves as the beginning of a Gnostic’s journey, but Wisdom welcomes all who return to the water, again and again.

Who may receive a Baptism of Water?

Anyone who can confess. Infants and young children do not require baptism, for they are born innocent and have no sins to confess.

I. Solitary Baptism – For Those Who Stand Alone

For solitary seekers with fresh, living water.

Preparation: Find living water—river, lake, ocean, or a simple vessel of clean water. Ensure solitude.

The Rite:

• Stand before the water. Place a hand over your heart and ask:
  “What do I lay down before the water?”
• Confess aloud what you release into the water.
• Once you have spoken, whisper:
  “I seek the fountain of Wisdom, that I may thirst no more.”
• Step into the water (or pour it over yourself), saying:
  “Let the water reveal me to myself.”
• As you emerge, proclaim:
  “I am reborn in the water. The Kingdom is within me and beyond me.”

II. In-Person Baptism – The Shared Waters

For those with a minister with fresh, living water.

The Rite:

• The minister asks: “What do you wish to leave behind in the water?”
• The candidate confesses aloud.
• The minister asks: “What is it you seek?”
• The candidate responds: “I seek the fountain of Wisdom, that I may thirst no more.”
• The minister proclaims: “Then let the water reveal you to yourself.”
• The candidate is immersed (or water is poured over them).
• The minister anoints their forehead, saying: “You are reborn in the water. The Kingdom is within you and beyond you.”
• The community welcomes them with an embrace or a holy kiss.

III. Remote Baptism – Spiritual Action At A Distance

For those unable to be physically present but desiring a minister and having a cup of fresh, living water.

The Rite:

• The minister asks: “What do you release into the water today?”
• The candidate speaks their confession aloud.
• The minister asks: “What is it you seek?”
• The candidate responds: “I seek the fountain of Wisdom, that I may thirst no more.”
• The candidate lifts a cup of water, whispers: “Let the water reveal me to myself.”
• They then splash the water onto their own face.
• The minister and witnesses proclaim: “You are reborn in the water. The Kingdom is within you and beyond you.”

IV. Proxy Baptism – The Compassionate Waters

For those unable to baptize themselves but have a proxy with fresh, living water.

The Rite:

• The candidate affirms their intent remotely.
• (Optional Confession) If the candidate is able, they may speak their confession aloud before the proxy enters the water.
  If they cannot speak, they may write it down, or hold their confession in their heart.
  The proxy may silently receive this confession on their behalf.
• The proxy prepares the vessel of water and speaks: “I stand in the place of [Candidate], who seeks the fountain of Wisdom.”
• If a confession was shared, the proxy may add: “In these water, I bear witness to what they have laid down.”
• The proxy is immersed, saying: “Let the water reveal them to themselves.”
• The candidate (if possible) responds: “I am reborn in the water. The Kingdom is within me and beyond me.”
• Otherwise, the proxy responds: "You are reborn in the water. The Kingdom is within you and beyond you."

V. Baptism by Rain – Confession to The Skies Above

For those who trust the heavens to baptize them. Nature is the minister and the water carrier.

• Stand in the rain, facing upward, arms open.
• Do not summon or take the water yourself—wait for it to come when it wills.
• If it is storming, accept the storm. If it is a drizzle, accept the gentleness.
• Speak into the sky:
  “Let the heavens pour forth your blessing, as the river embraced Magdala.”
• Confess to the skies above. Make sure the rain hears you.
• Feel the drops as the hands of Wisdom upon you.
• Say:
  “Nature is my minister. The sky is my witness. The rain is my bapitsmal font. Let the water reveal me to myself.”
• Remain in the rain until you feel it is enough.
  - Do not rush. Wisdom decides when the baptism is done.
• When you feel complete, proclaim:
  “As the rain washes over me, I am reborn in the water. The Kingdom is within me and beyond me.”

VI. Group Baptism – The Chain of Wisdom

For collective confession and transformation. Each has fresh, living water. The last completes the baptism of the first.

• Candidates form a circle, each carrying a vessel of water.
• The first candidate places a hand over their heart and speaks:
  “Before we enter the water, I lay down what weighs on me.”
• They confess aloud (or in a whisper if preferred), but they are not baptized yet.
• Instead, they take their vessel and turn to the next person, asking:
  “What do you lay down before the water?”
• The second candidate confesses, and the first person baptizes them, saying:
  “Let the water reveal you to yourself.”
• The newly baptized person now lifts their own vessel, turns to the next candidate, and repeats the process.
• This continues around the circle—a chain of confession, carrying, and baptism—until only the first candidate remains unbaptized.
• The last person in the chain now turns back to the first and speaks:
  “You have waited before us all. Now let the water reveal you to yourself.”
• The last person baptizes the first.
• The group joins hands and speaks together:
  “We are reborn in the water. The Kingdom is within us and beyond us.”