2.3 the sacraments : baptism

What is baptism ?

the initiation rite by which ppl become members of the Christian Church, the person is formally acknowledged as a child of God and receive’s God’s saving gace

What churches practice infant baptism ?

• Catholic

• Orthodox

• Anglican

• Methodist

• United Reformed Christians

What do catholic and orthodox christians say about infant baptism ?

• everyone is a descendant of Adam and Eve who committed the first sin

• everyone has a tendency to sin and needs salvation

• infant baptism removes original sin

What happens in infant baptism ?

the child is welcomed into the church as soon as possible, the parents are able to thank God for their new baby and celebrate the birth with family and friends

What does the priest/minister say in infant baptism ?

‘I baptise you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’

What churches do believer’s baptism ?

• baptists

• pentecostalists

What do people believe about believer’s baptism ?

a baby is too young to understand the meaning of baptism, so people should wait and be baptised when they are old enough to come to a mature decision abt their faith

• baptism is someone’s conversion to living a life dedicated to jesus that is important

What happens in believer’s baptism ?

• involves full immersion in a pool, symbolising the cleansing from sin

• rising up to new life with Christ

• usually minister talks about the importance of baptism, asks if te candidates are willing to change their lives

• person may read a bible verse/passage

• may say a testimony

What does the minister do in believer’s baptism ?

goes into the pool saying ‘in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’