Baptism

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The word used to describe baptism also

offers an indication of how baptism took


place. The Greek word translated "baptize"
is baptizo, which means to dip or submerge
in water. Baptism, by definition, was to be
placed into water as a spiritual sign of
following the Lord.
Baptism is the one sacrament that all
Christian denominations share in common. In
the Catholic Church, infants are baptized to
welcome them into the Catholic faith and to
free them from the original sin they were
born with.
Baptism is the public expression of a
person's faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation in
Jesus is by grace alone through faith alone
in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, Jesus
commanded all Christians to be baptized
when they believed (Matthew 28:19-20).
Ritual
of
Baptism
Baptisms in the Catholic Church usually take place on Sundays,
during the parish Mass or in the early afternoon after all the
Masses are over. In most cases, the parish priest or deacon
administers the sacrament, anointing the person being baptized
with oils, and pouring blessed water over the child or adult’s
head not just once but three times.
A person being baptized in the Catholic Church is expected to
dress in white to symbolize purity of faith and the cleansing
power of Baptism. The white garment symbolizes the white
garments Jesus wore when he was placed in the tomb after his
death on Good Friday. An infant may wear a baptismal gown
handed down for generations; an adult typically puts on a full-
length white gown known as an alb.
The baptism ritual is a participatory one, with all attendees
rejecting Satan and professing their faith, with parents and of
an infant and the godparents and immediate family members of
the person being baptized being a bit more involved.
The role of godparents has a very
practical history. Godparents took
over rearing children orphaned when
their parents died prematurely.
Today, being a godparent carries
with it no legal right or
ecclesiastical authority to the
custody of children.
Being a godparent, besides giving Christmas and birthday gifts
every year, really means actively giving good Christian witness
and example and being a role model and support by regularly
and faithfully practicing the religion.
Method – Instead of sprinkling or pouring, one
must be fully immersed in water to be scripturally
baptized. Baptism means immersion or to submerge.
1. Reception of the Child
2. Celebration of God's Word
3. Celebration of the Sacrament
4. Explanatory Rites
5. Conclusion of the Rite
The cross is a universal symbol of
Christianity. Making the sign of the
cross over a child during the baptism
invokes God's protection and asks for
entrance into the body of the Christian
church.
White is the color of purity and wearing a
white garment during baptism symbolizes
that the person being baptized now has a
clean slate in the eyes of God. The white
garment symbolizes that the baptized person
is now clothed in the mantle of God and will
start a clean life in His eyes and in the
eyes of the church.
Oil is another baptismal symbol of the Holy
Spirit. Of course, oil also symbolizes the Holy
Spirit during other sacraments and religious
gatherings. Holy oils are used during baptism
to strengthen the faith of the anointed. They
also symbolize the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Water is the Christian symbol of divine life as
well as a sign of purity and cleansing from
sin. The outward sign of baptism is the actual
pouring of the water on the head while
reciting the words, "I baptize thee in the name
of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
Light as a symbol of baptism is represented
by the passing of a lighted candle from the
celebrant to the godparents. The candle
represents moving from death to life in Christ
In baptism, dove symbolism depicts the Holy
Spirit. According to the Bible, when Jesus was
baptized, the heavens opened, God spoke and
the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the
form of a dove.
The traditional baptismal font holds the water
used for the baptism. It symbolizes the
baptismal streams, rivers, or pools of water in
centuries past, like the River of Jordan where
Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.
The scriptural readings during a baptism are taken from
the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. They celebrate
God's word and call for a renewal and profession of
faith.
The prayers during the baptismal ceremony beg freedom
from sin for the child and ask for Christ's protection,
blessings, mercy and grace on the child, the parents, the
godparents, the family, and the congregation.
The tradition of godparents is to help the
parents raise the godchild in the Christian
faith. The godparents are chosen by the
parents, and their role in a baptism
ceremony varies.
All the symbols are important to traditional church baptism
ceremonies although the details of their use may vary. The only
symbol that a parent or relative is responsible for is dressing
the child in a white garment before the baptism or providing
such a garment for use after the baptismal sacrament.
Types of baptism
The denominations that do not practice infant baptism believe that
children (babies, toddlers) are unable to grasp the concept of Jesus
Christ as Savior. The denominations that practice infant baptism are of
two minds. Some perform the rite with the belief that we are born
into sin and baptism cleanses us from it and gives us eternal
salvation. Others see it as no more than an initiation into the faith
tradition or Christian community.
By the third century, according to religious historians, adult baptism
was a mandatory part of Christian life and deemed a sacrament. Later,
there were disagreements among the various groups of Christians
whether or not baptism really was a sacrament—some thought of it
as a symbolic ritual. In Sacramental baptism, believers declare their
belief in Jesus Christ as their Savior. They receive forgiveness of sins,
God’s grace, deliverance from death, and eternal salvation.
Religions practicing baptism
Though the ritual of baptism is practiced by most Christians, it is also
practiced by the Sikhs, a monotheistic religion founded more than 500 years
ago by Guru Nanak, and the Gnostic Mandaeanism, an ancient religion—still
viable today in Iran and Iraq—whose theology favors John the Baptist over
Jesus. The Sikh baptismal ceremony is called Amrit. It began in 1699 by Guru
Gobind Singh. The Mandaeans view baptism as simply a purification ritual.
Islam also has a ritual of washing by submersion called Ghusul but it similar
to the more modern Jewish Mikvah (women must wash after menstruation and
for the Muslim men, after sex. Prayers of forgiveness for unclean or impure
actions must follow both rituals).
Christians
• Anglicans (including Episcopalians): Their philosophy is that baptism is for the
cleansing of sins or original sin, rebirth, and entry into the denomination and the body of Christ
through God’s grace.
• Anabaptists: Their belief is that baptism is not necessary for salvation, but symbolic.
• Baptists: Baptism is symbolic, and by immersion only. Infant baptism is not practiced.
• Catholics: For all manner of Catholics, baptism is sacramental in the name of the Holy Trinity
(the “Great Commission” Matthew 28: 18-20) and grants eternal salvation and remission of sins by
God’s grace. They practice infant baptism. Latin Rite Catholics use the method immersion
(Ambrosian Rite) or affusion. Roman Catholics use aspersion, but the water must flow on the head.
Eastern Catholics use full or partial submersion.
• Christadelphians: They view the rite of baptism as granting repentance and salvation though
it is only for adults and by immersion.
• Churches of Christ: They too view baptism as granting repentance and salvation, but do not
practice infant baptism. They baptize by full immersion following the biblical Book of Acts 8:38.
• Community Churches: Baptism is the outward symbolism of cleansing as well as the
acceptance of salvation and new life through God’s grace. The method used is immersion, and
infant baptism is not permitted.
• Disciples of Christ: Their ideology of baptism is that it is symbolic of Jesus’ death, burial, and
resurrection, a cleansing of sin, rebirth through God’s grace, and entry into the Christian faith.
Baptism is by immersion or affusion. They do not practice infant baptism.
• Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodoxy: Baptism is sacramental; for salvation
and remission of sins. It is by full or partial immersion, and infants are included.
• Evangelical Free Churches: Their view is that baptism is the public symbol of the
profession of faith, God’s grace, and rebirth. Baptism is by immersion for adults only.
• Grace Communion International: Their view of baptism is similar to the Evangelical Free
Churches
• Jehovah’s Witness: They also view baptism as a public symbolism of individual belief
performed by full immersion. Therefore, they do not practice infant baptism.
• Lutherans: Their philosophy is that baptism is sacramental and grants eternal salvation. The
method used is aspersion, and infant baptism is practiced.
• Methodists: Their belief is that baptism grants the sacrament of salvation, profession of faith,
and is an initiation into the Christian community. All Methodists including Wesleyans, United
Brethren, and the African Episcopal Methodist Church use immersion, affusion, or aspersion and
baptize infants.
• Metropolitan Community Church: Baptism is sacramental and part of worship. The
method used is immersion, and infant baptism is practiced.
• Moravian Church: Baptism is sacramental and necessary for entry into Christianity. They use
immersion, affusion, or aspersion and practice infant baptism.
• Nazarenes/ Church of the Nazarenes: Baptism grants the sacrament of salvation and
acceptance of Jesus. Methods used are immersion, affusion, or aspersion. Infant baptism is
practiced.
• Pentecostals: Their baptismal ideology is that it is a symbolic representation of the
individual’s belief and acceptance of Jesus as savior, which only adults can understand and
profess. The Oneness Group believes baptism is a requirement for salvation. Both Oneness and
Trinitarian Pentecostals use full immersion and do not practice infant baptism.
• Presbyterians: Baptism is a sacrament, seal, and outward symbol of “inward grace.” It also
grants membership into the Christian community. So, infant baptism is practiced. Methods used are
immersion, affusion, or aspersion.
• Revivalists: They view baptism as receipt of the Holy Spirit, which is necessary for salvation.
Method use is immersion. Infant baptism is not practiced.
• Seventh Day Adventists: Baptism is a requirement for membership into their church and
Christianity. It symbolizes “death to sin and new birth in Christ.” Method used is full immersion,
and infant baptism is not practiced.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons): All converts must be
baptized or re-baptized. They do not view baptism as cleansing of sins but rather a ritual of
forgiveness of sins, repentance, and preparation for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, which
occurs in the sacrament of confirmation/ laying of hands. Baptism is by full immersion and is
given to individuals from the age of eight upwards.
• The United Church of Christ (Evangelical & Reformed Churches, &
Congregational Christians): Baptism is viewed as an outward symbol of one’s “inward
grace” given by God. Some churches use the rite as an initiation into church membership. Methods
used are immersion, affusion, or aspersion. Infant baptism is practiced.
Purpose – Contrary to false teaching, the only scriptural purpose
for baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. If one understands he or
she is already saved as they are being baptized, then their faith is
not in the Word of God but in men.
Pope St. Leo proclaimed that baptism is the correspondent of our
birth, while confirmation is corresponding to our growth. Baptism is
the sacrament we chose instead of confirmation as baptism is an
individual’s initiation into the Catholic Church.
Baptism is the first and basic of the seven sacraments providing
the basis of other sacraments. Unless a person is baptized, no other
sacraments can be received. That’s what makes Baptism the most
important.
Baptism gives the celebrant the supernatural life. Baptism is the
first communication with God.
It technically gives the first step into heaven and gives the
newborn their first encounter with God.
Authority-Now more to the point of your questions that you raised regarding
authority and baptism. The authority behind baptism in Jesus’ Name (name of
Father, Son and Holy Spirit) resides in the New Testament, written Word of God. In
Acts 19, this authority of Jesus was not recognized although all else about their
baptism summed to be correct, method, purpose and no infants being baptized. To
recognize the authority of Jesus means that we believe in His death, burial,
resurrection and ascension into Heaven where is now Lord of all. We also
recognize that He does not act alone but in concert with the Father and the Holy
Spirit who are also God. It was this Divine authority the apostles were
commissioned by and commanded to baptize all according to this authority.
First, it is obvious that a person who baptizes someone else should be
a Christian. A person who is an atheist or belongs to another religious
group should not be baptizing Christians.

Second, church leaders traditionally baptized people in the New


Testament. This was not limited to elders or pastors, but also included
missionaries like Paul and his associates who performed baptisms
during their missionary activities. The church leader Philip also
baptized an Ethiopian in Acts 8:36-39.
Third, the Great Commission was originally given to those with Jesus
before He ascended to heaven, but applies to all believers. It teaches
that we are to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…
(Matthew 28:19). In this broad context, any Christian who leads another
person to faith in Christ could potentially baptize someone.

Fourth, there is no age or gender requirement for those who can baptize
others. Though not all local churches approve, a younger person or
female believer could also baptize someone else.
Fifth, the local church is responsible to make sure baptisms are carried
out in a manner than honors God. In other words, your local church
may include requirements beyond what the Bible teaches as part of
their effort to conduct baptisms in an honorable manner. This is not
necessarily bad, but is rather an attempt to perform baptisms in a
proper manner.
How did baptism originate? What is the origin of baptism? https://www.compellingtruth.org/origin-baptism.html
The Catholic Sacrament of Baptism https://www.dummies.com/religion/christianity/catholicism/the-catholic-
sacrament-of-baptism/
Who is allowed to baptize another person? Is anyone permitted to baptize/ perform baptisms?
https://www.compellingtruth.org/baptize-who.html
https://biblesearch.com/who-has-the-authority-to-baptize-someone/
Is there a correct mode of baptism? https://www.compellingtruth.org/mode-of-baptism.html
Hebrew Roots/The original foundation/Baptism
https://en.m.wikibooks.org/wiki/Hebrew_Roots/The_original_foundation/Baptism
https://prezi.com/lgqhnbtbhr2w/why-baptism-is-the-most-important-sacrament-in-the-catholic-church/
9 Baptism Symbols and Their Meanings https://baby.lovetoknow.com/baptism/baptism-symbols
Which Religions Practice Baptism? Which Do Not? https://owlcation.com/humanities/Which-Religions-Practice-Baptism-
Which-Do-Not

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