Baptism

One of the seven sacraments — A Christian rite of passage where one is cleansed of sin and welcomed officially into the church community.

‘Make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit’ Jesus, the Great Commission

Infant baptism — practiced by Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist, United reformed Christians

  1. The priest or minister pours blessed water over the baby’s forehead and says ‘I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit’

  2. Parents and Godparents make a promise to raise that child as a Christian

  3. The child is welcomed into the Christian community

Importance

  • Removes original sin (Catholic and Orthodox belief)

  • Allows the child to be welcomed into the church as soon as possible

  • The parents can thank God for their new baby and celebrate with family and friends

  • The Catechism says that infant baptism is the ‘basis of the whole Christian life’ and the ‘gateway to life in the Spirit’

  • Freed from sin and reborn as a child of God

‘The promise is for you and your children’ Luke

‘Let the little children come to me’ Luke

Believer’s baptism — Baptists, Pentecostalists

  1. One is fully immersed in a pool which symbolises cleansing from sin and rising to new life in Christ

  2. When asked if they are willing to change their lives, they give a brief testimony of their faith in Jesus

  3. The person is baptised ‘in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit’

Importance

  • People are old and mature enough to make a conscious decision about their faith, so they truly believe in it

  • One’s ‘personal sins’ are washed away, they don’t believe in original sin'

  • A personal commitment of faith is made in Jesus

‘Repent and be baptised’ Acts