Christianity- Baptism



Christianity- Baptism

What is it?

• Admits candidate into Christian Church Community

• Brings new life ( door way to other sacraments

• Frees us from all original and future sin ( reborn as a son of God

Baptism is a Christian rite in which new members are initiated into the Christian community. Baptism has been used since the beginning of Christianity when it was used to initiate adults only, only becoming open to children in more recent centuries.

Baptism involves profession of the faith by the immersion of the forehead. It is common to all Christian faiths, although there are some minor variations.

“Baptise them in the name of the F, S, HS and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you” (Mt 28:19-20)

What happens during Baptism?

• Welcome right

• Questioning of parents ( responsibilities

• Signing to Priest with sign of cross

• Celebration of liturgy of the word

• Exorcism, then child is anointed

• Blessing of Baptismal water

• Parents profess faith

• In the name of the F, S, HS, child anointed with oil

• Clothing and candles

• Conclude with lords prayer

What symbols are used during Baptism?

• Water- represents cleansing of all sin for new beginning

• Oil- represents strength for life’s struggles

• White clothing- represents purity and new life

• Candle- represents light of Christ. Jesus represented as ‘light of the world’

How does it demonstrate key Christian key beliefs?

• Welcome: demonstrates a ‘community’ event for significance for individual and community

• Readings from Bible: demonstrate central role of faith in Jesus

• Exorcism: demonstrates deliverance from evil

• Profession of faith: demonstrates key segments of Nicene Creed

• Baptism: water demonstrates cleansing sin, new beginning, faith in triune God

• Candle / White garment: demonstrates light of Christ and new beginning free of sin

• Anointment: demonstrates strengthening of individual for future challenges

• Eucharist: demonstrates full membership and participation in church community

Why is it significant for individuals and communities?

• Individual, Baptism signifies:

( Personal orientation to dedicate on life to believing in Christian faith

( Experience of being forgiven of all past faults, now to live according to Jesus

( Invitation to participate in worshipping life of Christian Church

( Accepting responsibility to live as a Christian through Jesus’ values and be a member of the Church community

( Access to other and further Christian rites

• Community, Baptism signifies:

( Fidelity to Jesus’ command to extent his message to all people

“Baptise all nations, teach them all my commandments” (Mt 28:19-20)

( Vitality within the Church, inclusion of new members

( Opportunity to learn from new members, newer ways to spread Jesus message

( Reminder of Church identity- community called to existence by God, reliant on God’s Holy Spirit

( Allow participants to play active part in Church activities

( Parents and God Parents guide the baptised in future life

What are the variants of Baptism within Christianity?

• Orthodox Church:

( Initiation as infant

( Triple immersion

( Anointment of forehead AND eyes, nose, mouth, ears, chest, hands, feet

( Bread and wine for Eucharist

• Protestant Church:

( Initiation as adult

( Full body immersion

( Only a person who repents can be ‘born again’

( Infants who ‘do not understand enough to hold faith in Jesus’ cannot be baptised

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