Summary
Summary of Expressions of religious identity
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Baptism - Koine Greek word - ‘to dunk’ - water as a symbol of cleansing.● Jesus was baptized by John, his cousin - this event exposed Jesus’ relationship with
God and marked the start of public ministry.
‘Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he
came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit
descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘Thou art my beloved Son;
with thee I am well pleased’ (Mark 1:4-11)
● Unclear whether Jesus baptized people or not - his disciples did - as a ritual of
cleansing and as a sign of membership of the followers of Jesus.
‘I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God’
(John 3:5-6)-Jesus saw it both as a spiritual and physical event.
● After Jesus died he ordered his disciples to ‘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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, to the close of the age’ - make disciples by baptizing people.
Baptism in the Catholic tradition
Baptism
- Mystery (Orthodox)
- Sacrament (Roman Catholic and Church of England)
- The simple act of pouring water = profound and irreversible change to the person’s
spiritual existence.
- Symbolism as mystical initiation into an alternative spiritual existence.
Roman Catholics believe all humans are born with original sin passed down from Adam and
Eve.
To evade this sin is to become linked with Jesus whose death on the cross overcame the
consequences of original sin.
Roman Catholics usually practice infant baptism - the soul of the infant is washed away
clean of original sin.
Ritual is as follows :
1. Priest makes the sign of the cross 4. The baby is immersed or has water
on the child's forehead - symbolises poured over it 3 times as the person who is
the child belongs to Christ performing the baptism says: ‘I baptise you
in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit’ - symbolises both
washing away of sin and death (going
underwater) and resurrection (coming out of
, water).
2. Adults reject evil on behalf of the 5. Baby is anointed with perfumed oil
child -make a declaration of faith in consecrated by the Bishop as a symbol of
God the Father, the Son and the gift from the Holy Spirit - he or she is now a
Holy Spirit on behalf of the child - member of the Church - child given a
formally accepting the terms of candle lit from the Easter candle to
membership in the Church. symbolise that the child has died to sin and
risen to new life with Christ.
3. The person performing the baptism 6. The child may be dressed in new white
asks God to make holy water used clothes as a sign of new life free from sin.
for baptism through the Holy Spirit -
so the infant may be ‘born of water
and the Spirit’.
● Roman catholic Church teaches that baptism should be followed by education
(catechism) as the child develops - when the child is old enough to understand the
real meaning of living as a Christian - confirms the promises made at baptism in a
ritual called confirmation.
● It is impossible to undo a baptism as the spirit is permanently changed.
Baptism in the Baptist tradition
● The Baptist church grew from the Protestant Reformation - emphasis on Baptism.
● Do not believe in sacraments - symbols are not necessary.
● Humans must imitate Jesus and follow his instructions. So it was a specific
instruction when Jesus told his disciples to ‘go forth and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’
(Matthew 28:19) - ordinance ( a law from Jesus).
● They do not baptize infants - Jesus was baptized as an adult + do not believe in
original sin.
● Baptism = a ceremony of membership and commitment as someone prepares their
ministry as an adult in the world + public confirmation of belief in the Trinity.
● Teenagers or adults who wish to be baptised join Bible study groups and prepare for
baptism by learning all they can about the christian faith.
● They believe baptism can only be meaningful to those who know and understand
what they are committing to.
1. A sponsor presents the person to 4. The minister then says ‘I baptise you in
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