Christianity

Outline Baptism

• Baptism is an initiation rite into Christianity where adherents officially proclaim their faith and are welcomed into the Church: “repent and be baptised for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38).

• It can happen either as an infant (Catholicism or Orthodoxy) or as an adult (Pentecostal or Baptist churches).

• It involves the trinitarian use of water, where the recipient has water sprinkled (Anglicanism) or poured (Catholicism) on their head, or is fully immersed (Orthodoxy) in the baptismal font.

• Although it is a sacrament for some, it is not performed in all denominations, like Quakers or the Salvation Army.

Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Baptism expresses the principal belief of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ in how the whole practice mirrors this.

• St Paul wrote, “we are baptised in union with his death so that we may live a new life” (Romans 6:3-4)

  • when we are baptised, we are following the example of Jesus

  • by burying our old life and rising again to new life under faith.

• The baptismal candle symbolises how Jesus is the light of the world

  • + how by undergoing baptism, Christians participate in his death and resurrection

  • expressing how they are guided by him and the Passion.

Salvation

Baptism also expresses the belief in salvation, being saved from sin and death.

• In Catholicism and Orthodoxy, baptism is necessary for salvation since it purifies them from original sin.

• This is reflected in the use of water

  • symbolises the washing away of original and venial sins

  • + the spiritual cleanliness of the recipient

  • “this water symbolises the baptism that now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21).

• The white garments worn

  • symbolise the newfound spiritual purity of the recipient gained through baptism

• The anointment of the recipient with oil

  • symbolises God’s protective strength

  • preparing the individual to resist evil and commit to a life under Christ.

Nature of God (Trinity)

Finally, baptism also represents the belief in the Trinity.

• Also, the trinitarian use of water

  • reinforces the singular, yet three-person nature of God.

  • In Catholicism, recipients are baptised in “the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

  • The Orthodox tradition emphasises this through the full immersion of the recipient three times in the baptismal font, each honouring a different part of the Trinity.

• Baptism is believed to be a “gift from the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)

  • Since adherents are believed to become a “temple for the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

  • This reflects how it is one of the three forms of God.

Sig to com:

Reminds the community of their own baptismal promises, renewing and affirming their faith.

It renews their faith and reminds them of their baptismal promises.

• Baptism must be administered during public worship since it “reminds the congregation of their own baptism” (World Council of Churches, 1982).

• In baptism, the Celebrant asks, “Do you reject Satan and all his works?”

  • encourages the community to reflect on their own baptism

  • + the temptations of the devil in their life

  • affirming their faith.

• The baptismal candle

  • reminds the congregation of how Jesus is their guiding light

  • + that they are called to follow him in their every day lives.

Sig to com:

Allows them to partake in their mission of spreading the Gospel.

It allows the Church to become witnesses to their calling to spread the gospel.

• Baptism is a celebration of making disciples

• Jesus calls Christians to “go forth and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

• Therefore, each time the community participates in the baptism of an individual, they are answering their calling to build the kingdom of God and spread the word.

Sig to

INDV: It unites them to the Christian community under shared principal beliefs, like the trinity.

COM: It creates a sense of belonging with other Christians under shared beliefs, like the Trinity.

It creates a sense of belonging with other Christians under shared beliefs, like the Trinity.

• The trinitarian use of water

  • reinforces the singular, yet three-person nature of God.

  • In Catholicism, recipients are baptised in “the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

  • The Orthodox tradition emphasises this through the full immersion of the recipient three times in the baptismal font, each honouring a different part of the Trinity.

• Since baptism expresses the belief in the Trinity, individuals feel a sense of belonging to the Christian community due to how they all share these same beliefs.

Sig to indv:

Official proclamation of faith, welcoming individuals into the Christian Church

Baptism is significant for the individual since it allows them to officially proclaim their faith and become a member of the Church.

• The white garments that the recipient wears

  • symbolise their newfound spiritual purity obtained through baptism after they are blessed with the Holy water.

  • This represents their rejection of the devil and the start of their life under God.

• In infant baptism, the celebrant says “the Christian community welcomes you with great joy”

  • highlights how, through it, individuals are officially initiated into the Church.

• Adherents are also believed to become a “temple for the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19) during baptism, thus allowing them to become a part of the body of Christ.

Sig to indv:

Baptism cleanses adherents from sin, allowing them to achieve salvation.

Baptism cleanses adherents from sin, allowing them to achieve salvation.

• In Catholicism and Orthodoxy, baptism is necessary for salvation since it purifies them from original sin.

• The Roman Catholic Church believes that baptism is the first step on the path of grace from God, highlighting its necessity in achieving salvation.

• The use of water

  • symbolises the washing away of original and venial sins

  • + the spiritual cleansing of the recipient:

  • “this water symbolises the baptism that now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21).

• The anointment of the recipient with oil

  • symbolises God’s protective strength

  • encouraging the adherent to continue to resist evil and commit to a life under Christ after baptism in order to obtain salvation.

• Through these steps, baptism removes sin from adherents

  • deepening their faith

  • + encouraging them to continue to do good to avoid sin and thus achieve salvation.

Environmental ethics: Teaching 1

Stewardship of creation

• Believe that humans were created as stewards: “the Lord [put man] on the Garden of Eden… to take care of it” (Genesis 2:15)

  • Human’s duty to care for and prioritise the needs of creation

• Interpret “dominion” (Genesis 1:28) as a responsibility to sustain and protect the environment

  • Preserve it for future generations

• Since humans were made in God’s likeness, they must show creation the love that God shows them: ‘So God created mankind in his own image’ (Genesis 1:27)

Environmental ethics: Teaching 2

The intrinsic goodness of Earth and respect

• Believe nature is good because it is how God expresses his love: “For since the creation of earth… God’s eternal power… has been clearly seen” (Romans 1:20)

• God is present in creation and thus there is a responsibility to treat creation with reverence: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31)

• Preserve its goodness by respecting the earth and treating it with integrity

  • “The world, as God’s handiwork, has its own inherent integrity” (WCC, 1998)

  • Treating the Earth with compassion

Application 1: Global warming

Christian view on issue:

• Humans as stewards should look after creation and preserve it for the future

• Actions contributing to global warming = Christians not fulfilling their duty

• Must restore their responsibility to protect environment by fighting against Global warming

Example 1: Laudato Si

• "We need to think about the kind of world we are leaving for future generations” (Pope Francis, 2015)

• Catholic Church encyclical written by Pope Francis in 2015

• Stresses the need for action on current environmental issues such as global warming = preserve the earth

• Christian conscience urges adherents to fulfil their responsibility as stewards

Example 2: The Uniting Church Climate Action Plan

• “Our words are not enough. This Climate Action Plan is intended to drive that action.”

• Make the uniting church net zero by 2040

• Reduce their carbon footprint to model stewardship for creation

Application 2: Animal Cruelty

Christian view on issue:

• Animals (part of creation) are intrinsically good

• Humans must treat them with respect due to their “inherent integrity”

• Animal cruelty and abuse violates this teaching = not showing respect

• Christians must fight against it

Example 1: St Francis of Assisi

• Catholic patron Saint of Animals

• Animals’ manifestations of God’s love = by treating them with cruelty, humans are likely to treat others with cruelty as well

• “Men who… exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion… will deal likewise with their fellow men.”

Example 2: Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals (ASWA)

• “We believe that the Bible teaches us to care for animals”

• Promotes the inclusion of animals in church life to restore duty to respect them

• Annual Animal Welfare Sunday services

  • Prayers/sermons focus on animal care and compassion

  • Some churches hold pet blessing services  recognise the value of animals in God’s creation and people’s lives

• ASWA Remembrance Service for Animals in War

  • Held London each November.

POT: Contribution

Missionaries

• He travelled around Europe and Asia minor establishing Christian communities and Churches  spreading the gospel and preaching to Jews and Gentiles alike

• Chosen messenger to spread the word = demonstrating the importance of his contribution as he was chosen by God himself:

  “This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name” (Acts 9:15)

• He participated in the Council of Jerusalem (50 AD)

Impact of missionaries

• Opened up Christianity to gentiles and clarified that they did not have to follow mosaic law

  • Built on the belief that God’s Church was for all: “you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28)

  • No longer a Jewish sect

• He allowed Christianity to develop into an international religion

  • Evident in how it is one of the five major faith traditions

  • In 2010, there were 2.2 billion Christians (Pew Research Centre, 2015)

• The impact of contribution was emphasised by Pope Benedict 2016 in 2002, saying “how can we not thank God for an apostle of this category?”

  • importance of Paul’s work in facilitating the spread of Christianity through his missionaries

POT: Contribution

Epistles

• Letters he wrote to the Christian communities he established

• 13 books of the New Testament are attributed to him

• Through them, he communicated his interpretation of scripture

  • Guided early Christian communities

  • Developed the Christian way of thinking (theology) and ethical teachings

  • These are still followed today

• Established a unique style and structure of worship  distinct from Judaism

POT Impact on theology

His interpretation of scripture in the epistles laid the foundations for the Christian way of thinking, inspiring Christian theologians who further expanded on his work

• Contained his interpretations of principal beliefs like salvation: “men are not saved by the works of the law… but through faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16)

• Martin Luther used this to write his 95 Theses = based on the belief that faith alone was required to obtain salvation

• This led to the reformation = development of new denominations (Anglicanism, Protestantism)

• Denominations are still being practiced today = timelessness of Paul’s interpretations & continued impact

• St Augustine of Hippo further expanded on Paul’s work: “men are not saved by good works, but by the grace of God through faith” (the Enchiridion of Faith, Hope and Love)

POT Impact on ethics

His epistles provided a moral framework to help guide the decision-making process of early Christians, influencing their actions and practices.

• These teachings remain relevant today

• He established the teaching of agape (unconditional love) as a unifying principle: “love is patient, love is kind” (1 Cor 13:4)

  • Christians should prioritise showing love to God and their neighbour when making decisions

  • Mirrors the greatest commandment: “love the lord your God… and your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:29-31)

Example: CARITAS Australia’s Project Compassion: Lenten Appeal

• Show selfless love by donating to those in need

• E.g. Irene, DRC → single mother became a skilled seamstress (vocational training) = overcame extreme poverty

• He highlighted the sanctity of life due to how “the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:19)

• Not practice circumcision: “circumcision… will be of no benefit to you” (Galatians 5:2-4)