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Religion Coursework
Describe and explain the central features of infant and believers baptism?
Origins of baptism
Jesus was baptised by John in the river Jordan. When he came up out of water he saw the heavens torn apart, and the Spirit like a dove, descending on him. A voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests from you. Just before Jesus returned back to his father in haven he gave the apostles the command ‘Go, baptize all nations in the name of the father, and of the Son and the Holy Spirit’. Christians believe that at Baptism the Holy Spirit enters a person, gives new life, and claims that person now belongs to God. To receive the Holy Spirit in baptism is the same as saying that the person is now ‘in Christ’.
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Infant Baptism
To understand the practice of infant baptism we have to keep in mind the following.
1. Infant Baptism is an expression of the faith of the people of God. There is no such thing as a neutral environment. In their early years children are subjected to all kinds of influences and so the Christian community wishes to offer children every opportunity of knowing God as Father right from the beginning.
. Parents bring children into contact with Grandparents, good friend’s etc. If they love God and if he’s important in their lives children will be taught by them and they will lead them to God.
. The Orthodox churches and most Protestant communities share the same faith and practice with regard to infant baptism as Catholics.
4. Baptism takes away original sin, which is the main reason why young children are baptised. We are born into a sinful atmosphere. We need God and the grace he gives us at baptism to take away our tendency to be selfish and commit sin. We need him in our lives from the beginning.
When a child is born into a family there is great happiness and joy and to celebrate the birth they have a party or a family gathering. Christian parents want the baby to be a member of the Family of God. The idea is that the children of Christian parents belong to the membership of the church and therefore be baptised. Many groups of Christians practice the baptism of infants.
The Orthodox Church
There are special features of the baptism of a child and the most obvious is that the baby is completely dipped in the font. Orthodox baptism occurs on the eighth day after the birth and the baby is held facing the east. He or she is then dipped into the water three times in the name of trinity. The Orthodox service has three parts the order of holy baptism is the central ceremony of these three and consists of
1. Blessing the baptismal water with a prayer and breathing on the water in the form of the cross.
. A pre-baptism anointing with the ‘oil of gladness’.
. The actual baptism as described above.
Roman Catholic and Anglican
The baby has the water poured over the forehead with a formula of words ‘ Name of child followed by I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The parents bring the child for baptism and godparents promise to watch carefully that the child will be brought up in the Christian Faith. They promise to help the parents do this. The essential parts of the ceremony are
1. The child is presented for baptism by parents and godparents.
. Parents and godparents confess their belief in the chief beliefs of the Christian Church.
. There is a sharing of scripture, which emphasises the importance of baptism.
4. The congregation welcomes the new member of the church.
5. The child is then baptised with water poured and the words ‘Name of child I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen’
Believers Baptism
Some Christians do not think it is appropriate to baptize babies. They confess their faith and are baptised in this. They take the New Testament very seriously and only baptize those who wish to become Christians and ask for baptism. Baptism takes place in a river or a place that the candidate can be fully immersed or dipped into the water. When adult baptism is the custom, children usually go through a service of dedication. They are brought by parents to a public service where the minister will give thanks for the birth of the baby and bless the child. Both the parents and the congregation are asked to help in bringing up the child. The essential points of the baptism are
1. Candidates must be sorry for their sins and have faith in Jesus Christ.
. Candidates present themselves in baptismal ropes.
. Each candidate descend into the water and is completely immersed by the minister ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’
4. The baptism is a symbol of forgiveness of sin and a new life of faith in Jesus Christ.
5. A certificate of the new baptism is given.
Explain the meaning and significance of baptism for Christians today?
The day of baptism
Following careful thought and preparation you bring your child to church to ask for baptism. It is a public sign of your own faith and trust in God’s love. The ceremonies speak powerfully of this love and as you follow through the service by joining in the prayers and responses you are drawn deeper into god’s love.
Welcoming The ceremony begins with a warm welcome to you and your family from the priest on the behalf of the Christian community. He asks what name you have given your baby and whether you accept the responsibility of bringing up your child in the practice of the faith. Then with you, the parents and godparents he greets your baby with the sign of the cross. You trace the cross on the forehead of your baby as a sign that this is a child of Christ. Having welcomed one another everyone turns to the most important guest, Jesus Christ, who comes among those who gather in his name. In the Gospel Jesus speaks of the new life that baptism brings. Prayers are then offered for your baby, for you and your family.
Washing Water is the symbol of life for without water there will be no life. Water also makes us clean. Baptism signifies the new life and the cleansing from sin won for us when Jesus rose from the dead. To prepare for baptism itself the minister prays that your baby may be delivered from every evil and this prayer is reinforced by the anointing with Oil of Baptism as a sign of Christ’s strengthening power. The water is blessed. Then the minister asks you to renew the vows that were made for you at your own baptism, at the same time reminding you of your duty to bring u your own child as a good Christian. The climax of the ceremony is when the minister pours the baptismal water over your child’s forehead three times, saying ‘name of child. I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’
Worshipping Your baby is now a Christian. Following an ancient custom your baby is anointed with Oil of Chrism. Your baby has the special work of living, as a member of Christ’s body-the church. In this he or she will be helped by celebrating the other sacraments and, n particular, will take part in the Eucharist. The offering of thanks and praise to the Father, which begins at Mass, is the beginning of an eternal life of joy and total happiness.
Witnessing Your baby has been given the Spirit of Christ and so can reveal this life in the world. As a sign of this power to witness to Christ a white garment is wrapped around your baby to show that he or she is a new creation clothed in Christ. Finally a family member is given a candle to light from the paschal candle. This symbolizes the light of Christ, which will shine on and through your child for life.
The signs and symbolism of baptism
Water This is for cleansing and is a sign that our sins are washed away. Baptism cleanses us of original sin with which we are born and, in the baptism of adults, of every sin committed prior to baptism. Water is also necessary for life and so is a sign, too, that the life of the risen Christ is ours.
Sign of the Cross A sign on something shows its origins or ownership. The Sign of the cross is the mark of Christians for Jesus Christ died on the cross. Parents and godparents trace it on the child’s forehead to show that the baby belongs to Christ, who now offers his help and grace to face and overcome the sufferings of life.
Oils Oil of baptism is rubbed on the breast of the baby to strengthen and prepare them for the fight ahead. Oil of Chrism is rubbed on the crown of the head and is a sign of sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
White Garment This garment is a relic of the new clothes worn by Christians after baptism in the first centuries. It is a sign of innocence and the new life of resurrection.
Candles These symbolise Christ � the light of the world. The baptismal candle is lit from the paschal candle, which stands near the altar at Easter as a sign of the risen Christ. The baptismal candle reminds us that the light of Christ has entered the child’s life; and its flame symbolises the flame of faith, which will burn through the life of the child.
Baptismal Register Your baby’s baptism will be recorded in the parish Baptismal Register. In the years ahead the proof of baptism may be obtained in the form of a certificate issued on the basis of this registration.
Baptising babies is pointless. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered more than one point of view.
I think it is pointless because babies are too young to understand the real meaning of baptism and should be given the chance to get baptised when they are old enough to know and learn about their religion. They then should have the choice and knowledge to choose whether they wanted to be baptised into that religion or not. At least it would be their decision instead of your parents choosing it for you when you cant do anything about it when you are a small innocent, helpless little baby so therefore this would favour believer (adult) baptism. Baptising babies is pushing that child into that religion without their full understanding when maybe when they grow up and properly understand all the religions they might choose a different religion. I think everybody should have the right to freedom of choice and you can’t make a very important decision be made for you when it’s your future and you that’s living your life not your parents.
Arguments for infant baptism
1. They grew up in a Christian family and are influenced by it.
. In the New Testament we don’t hear of people being refused baptism but that ‘whole households’ were baptised. The word used for household � ‘oikos’ includes children, if children were to be excluded another word would have been used.
. The faith of our parents led to our being baptised but it is only our faith that will allow us to live and act as adult believers. As we mature we are called upon to assume responsibility for the gift we received from God by a) accepting Christ as a friend b) create conditions for our friendship to grow, c) share that gift of Jesus with others.
Arguments against infant baptism
1. People should be are able to make a personal commitment when they grown up.
. In the New Testament we only hear of adults being baptised.
. Some people who have been baptised do not lead very Christian lives
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