baptism

John the Baptist baptised Jesus in the River Jordan (Mark 1:9-11)

Catholic tradition

baptism- a sacrament that makes a profound and irreversible change to a person's existence

enables baptised to overcome stain of original sin

  • re-enacting dying and rising again
  • joining Church

main reason Roman Catholics practise infant baptism

sacrament- ceremony seen as imparting spiritual grace

Baptist tradition

baptism- important as an ordinance from Jesus

  • don't believe in sacraments/ symbolism
  • learn about life of Jesus and copy

don't practise infant baptism

  • Jesus was baptised as an adult
  • don't believe in original sin

credobaptism

  • a service of membership and commitment to church
  • individual must know meaning and importance of ceremony

believe all humans born with original sin from Adam and Eve

ritual

1) priest makes sign of cross on child's forehead

  • symbolises that child belongs to christ

2) parents and godparents formally accept membership terms of church on child's behalf

  • reject evil and sin
  • make declaration of faith in GF, GS, GHS

3) baptism performer asks God to make water holy through Holy Spirit

  • so child will be 'born of water and the Spirit'

4) baby immersed 3 times in water/ have poured over head 3 times

  • 'I baptise you in the name of the F, and of the S, and of the HS'
  • symbolises washing away of sin, and death and ressurection

symbolism

5) baby anointed with perfumed oil consecrated by bishop, and given candle lit from Easter candle

  • symbol of gift of HS
  • now a member of church
  • candle- child has died to sin and risen to new life with christ

6) child dressed in new white clothing

  • symbolises new life free from sin

practice

1) sponsor (experienced church member) presents person to church community

2) person makes short speech (testimony)

  • outlines how they believe God has been working in their life

3) enters baptismal pool

  • confirms that he/she turns from sin and accepts Jesus as saviour

4) minister says 'I baptise you in the name of the F, and of the S, and of the HS

  • pushes candidate under water and pulls them up again

5) clapping/ cheering as baptised joins congregation for rest of service

infant baptism

for

sacramental value

  • individual doesn't need to do anything
  • key effects of baptism depends on God's grace not own actions
  • even newborns can recieve grace of baptism

mystery

  • what happens at baptism depends on God's grace not human understanding
  • God too mighty, wonderful and divine for human minds to grasp
  • no-one can ever fully understand God
  • so anyone can be baptised regardless of understanding

remedy for original sin

  • everyone inherits original sin (even those who haven't sinned themselves)
  • babies must be cleansed of this in case they die before they are old enough to profess faith themselves

against

understanding

  • baptism is an ordinance that babies cannot understand
  • even washing away of sins- cannot understand

Jesus

  • baptised as an adult
  • should follow his example and practise adult baptism

early Church

  • evidence for infant baptism in early church weak
  • descriptions of specific baptisms only adults
  • before baptised always ataught about Christian beliefs
  • if not practise then, shouldn't be now

Jesus saw baptism as both a physical and spiritual event (John 3:5)

commanded disciples to baptise people in the name of the F, S and HS (Matthew 28:19)