Study

Notes
Subject: Studies
of Religion 2U
Topic: Christian
Practice Baptism

Description of Baptism
-

The initiation into the Christian Community

For most Christians it is a necessary element for salvation.
Allows participants (or candidates) to share the death and
resurrection of Christ.
It cleanses people from their sins and they are given a new life after
baptism.
Salvation Army and Society of Friends (Quakers) do not practice
baptism and no not believe it is essential for salvation.

Elements of Baptism:
Infant Baptism:
-

Most denominations practice infant Baptism.

The parents and Godparents make commitments on behalf of the
child.
Other denominations do not perform infant Baptism and allow
individuals to choose when they are baptised.

Immersion:
-

This idea stems for the idea of being fully immersed in the beliefs
and practices of Christianity.
This is performed by the Orthodox denominations as well as the
adult baptisms in the Baptist and Pentecostal Churches.

Sprinkling or pouring of water:

-

Carried out primarily by the Catholic Church as Baptism is often

contained in or next to ordinary Sunday Worship.
Water is poured over the head of the candidate or sprinkled on their
body.

Profession of faith:

Main element of the baptism service in any denomination in which it

is practiced.
The Nicene Creed or the Apostles creed.

Adult Baptism:
-

Also known as believer Baptism.

Allows the individual to participate in the service and understand
the undertakings of the role.
They have made a conscience decision to believe in Jesus Christ and
as such have opted to partake in Baptism.

Baptism in Spirit:
-

A second Baptism or validation of baptism where someone has been

baptized as an infant and has to partake in another baptism as an
adult due to denominational switching.
This is only needed in churches that oppose or see infant Baptisms
as void.

Ritual
Eleme
nt

Roman
Catholic

Anglican

Greek
Orthodox

Baptist

Celebra
nt
Sacred
Text

Priest

Priest or
Minister
The Readings
from the
Scripture
Lesson
Baptismal font,
water oil,
candle

Priest

Minster

Romans: 6:311
Matthew:
28: 16-20
Baptismal
font, water,
oil, candle,
new clothes,
movement
around the
church
Church

Sunday
Service
Readings

Significa
nt
Symbols

Sacred
Space
Feature
s of the
Ritual

Romans: 6:311
Matthew:
28:16-20
Baptismal
font, water,
oil, candles,
white cloth

Church or
Baptistry
The Eucharist
may include
the rite of
Baptism (e.g
in Easter

Church
The Rite of
Baptism

Child is
received into
the church
Eucharist and
full initiation

Baptismal
Garment
(white),
baptismal
pool

Baptismal
Pool
Adult Rite of
Baptism/
Believers
Baptism

Vigils, etc).

Structur
e of the
Ritual

- Priest greets
community
- Priest
questions
parents and
confirms their
wish for
baptism
- Priest,
parents and
godparents
trace the sign
of the cross
on the child.
- Liturgy of
the word.
- Homily
- Rite of
exorcism and
anointing with
oil.
- Baptismal
waters
blessed.
- Profession of
faith
- Baptism with
water on
forehead
- Child clothed
in white cloth.
- Parents and
godparents
given candle
- Prayers of
the faithful
- The Lords

- Gathering
hymn, psalm or
anthem.
- Priest greets
community.
- The message
of the day is
prayed.
- Lesson from
scripture.
- Sermon.
- Presentation
and
examination of
the candidate.
- Baptismal
covenant is
prayed.
- Prayers of
thanksgiving
and blessing
over water.
- Prayers of
consecration
over the oils.
- Baptism.
- The Lords
prayer recited.
- Concluding
prayer.

(Chrismation)
are part of the
baptism (rare
amongst
denomination
s).
- Begins in the
entrance of
the Church.
- Godparents
take an oath
and recite the
Nicene Creed.
- Exorcism.
- Signing of
the Cross.
- Naming.
- Lighting of
the Baptismal
Candle.
- Removal of
clothes.
- Anointing
with oil.
- Blessing of
the Water.
- Full
immersion in
the Baptismal
font three
times.
- Sacrament
of Chrismation
- Dressing in
new clothes.
- Religious
dance- circle
the font three
times.
- Tonsure
cutting of the
hair.
- Holy

- Believers
baptism is
part of the
Sunday
worship
service.
- Includes
testimony by
the person
being
baptised
declaring
their faith in
Jesus Christ.
- Full
immersion in
pool

prayer
- Final
blessing

Eucharist is
given to the
Baptised
individual.

Biblical support/evidence/backing
The one who believes and is baptised will be saved Mk 16:16
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit Mt 28:19-20
Very truly, I tell you, no one can come to the kingdom of God without
being born of water and spirit Jn 3:3
Salvation:
Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name
of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:38

Expressing the beliefs of Christianity

Ancient Origins/Early Church:
-

The Ancient cleansing ritual predating Christianity.

Prevalent amongst Jewish groups.
John the Baptist as the forerunner to the ministry of Jesus.
The ancient church deemed Baptism a necessary element of
Salvation and a practice in which they would receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit.

Repentance:
-

In Baptism, Christians believe that they are turning away from sin
and evil.
They are turning in a positive way to live the life of the spirit.

The Body of Christ:

-

Candidates enter the church and body of Christ. They gain insight as
to the death and resurrection of Jesus and the mystery of Jesus
death.

Symbols:
Water:
-

Water is a central symbol in Baptism.

Water is evident in the stories of the Great Flood, the Red Sea and
the fleeing of Egypt.
Reflects the beliefs in rebirth and cleaning.

The Sign of the Cross and Trinitarian nature of Service:

-

Symbolic of the entry into the Church and the development of a

relationship with Christ.
The Trinitarian nature of the Baptism is reflective of the Trinitarian
nature of God and the belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Anointing:
-

The use of rich oils to anoint the candidate is symbolic of the new
and great spiritual wealth that one acquires in Christ.
Oil has always been a symbol of healing and strength.
Reflective in the stories of the anointing of a King (Old Testament).

White Garment:
-

Symbolic of the purity of the Baptised person and the cleansing

from sin.
Shows that Baptism is a new beginning for Christians.

Candles:
-

Represents God as the light of the world.

Light also represents Good and evil light (God) overcomes any evil
or darkness in our lives.

Significance: Individual and

Community
Links to the Early Church:
-

Links the candidate to the early Church.

It offers the individual and community theological reflection.
As a rite of passage it gives Christians the gift of the holy spirit and
ultimately salvation.
Relives Jesus baptism by John the Baptism and undertakes the
biblical obligations for baptism by Jesus.

Jesus Baptism:
-

In partaking in the Baptism service either as a candidate or the

community we are reliving and celebrating the Baptism of Jesus.
The community shares the event of such great ancient significance.
Perform the same rituals and rites of the early church and Jesus
himself.
Perpetuating the ancient tradition and honoring the intention of
Christ and the disciples.

Theological reflection:
-

The Practice contains images of death and new life.

There are images of creation and renewal.
There are symbols of good and evil.
Ideas of repentance and forgiveness.
This allows the theological reflection of the community present as all
the aspects of Baptism are associated with Christian Theology.

Gift of the Holy Spirit:

-

In partaking in the Baptism, Candidates acquire the gift of the Holy

Spirit.
They are now a member of the body of Christ.
They are forgiven for sins and now have a personal relationship with
God.

Rite of Passage:
-

Baptism is an authentic rite of passage.

It marks the transition from outside the Christian Community to
becoming fully immersed and part of it.
Enter a community of common faith and mind, thus also bearing
significance.