Almost every Christian church in the world celebrates the sacrament of baptism. There are two different types baptism in the modern Christian Churches. The first and most common is infant baptism. Anglican, Methodist, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and the United Reformed Church all practice this method. It has been used since very early times. This method is when the child, just after birth, is baptised. In the different churches the ceremony differs a little but there are all pretty much the same.
- The family, friends and the child all assemble at the back of the church. The priest then welcomes them into the house of god and asks them the name that they have chosen for the child.
- He then asks the parents what they want from the church. They then reply ‘baptism.’
- The Godparents then recite the baptismal promises on behalf of the child, as they are too young to do it for themselves. These are a number of promises to god that include the rejection of Satan. The child will have to renew them when they are confirmed.
- The priest then traces the sign of the cross on the child’s head and the parents and godparents do the same. This means that the child belongs to God.
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There is a reading from the New Testament and everyone joins in for a prayer to help the child stay safe.
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Next the child is anointed with the Oil of Catechumens. This is put on the chest and prayers are said to keep the child spiritually strong. This makes us identify the daily struggles in our lives with Jesus’ struggle on the cross. It strengthens us in firm commitment to God.
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The child is then brought to the baptismal font. The priest blesses the water in which the baby is dipped in. The water is a sign of life in the Christian church and it purifies us from original sin. Water itself gives life but it can also cause death. This is a reflection of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- The child has now been baptised and now a member of the Christian church.
There are a number of other things that are involved with infant baptisms.
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White Garment – White is a sign of purity. It represents the messiah and demonstrates that the candidate is new person. It is another sign of outward dignity. Some families have christening gown that they pass down through the generations.
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Candle – Jesus is described as the ‘light that has come into the world. A light which the darkness cannot overpower.’ The candle is the sign that Jesus is present. The flickering candle is also a symbol of a person’s faith.
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Oil of Chrism - This is oil that is rubbed on the candidate’s head. It is fragranced with sweet smells and is used in the carination of kings and the ordination of priests. God is giving the person royal dignity as he believes we are all special.
There are a number of reasons for infant baptism.
- If the child dies the parents will have piece of mind that the child will enter heaven, as they are a part of Gods family.
- The child is exorcised to stop it coming into contact with evil in its life.
- Helps the child learn about the Christian way of life. They can be taught by there parents and even there newly acquired godparents.
- Water is a cleanser that takes away original sin. This is mankind’s tendencies to sin.
- In the new testament Jesus always welcomed the children (Mark 10:13-16)
- If the candidate chooses to be baptised later on in life they have to do a two-year course.
There are also a number of points against infant baptism.
The child doesn’t understand what is happening. They have no free will.
All the baptisms in the New Testament (Jesus and john) happened to people who were middle aged.
The children may choose not to live a Christian life and are therefore breaking the baptismal promises that were made on there behalf.
Therefore the candidate should be baptised as an adult because they truly mean what they are saying and are less likely to break the baptismal promises.
Not all parents who baptise their children live Christian lives themselves.
There is a number of reasons that people believe that believers baptism is better than infant baptism.
- The person has free choice over there decision to be baptised and which church they choose.
- The person in usually much more committed to their church, as they have to do a 2-year course.
- In the New Testament everyone is baptised as an adult.
Christian get baptised because they believe that this is saving them from a life of sin. In marks gospel we find out the importance of Jesus’ baptism, as this is the beginning of his ministry. It effects people in their every day life and encourages people to become good Christians. The fact that after over two thousand years that we still practice this sacrament is a testament to how important many feel that it is in modern society.