Water: Water is stored in the font and is used in all baptismal ceremonies; the two methods of Infant baptism are Sprinkling and Dipping. Water symbolises Death to past sins, new life in the family of God and washing away past sins to feel clean and purified.
Godparents: Godparents are three people chosen to guide the child in the belief of God, to support Christ and to support the parent’s decisions. The Godparents present the baby to the priest.
A white Garment: A white Garment is worn to represent the outward sign of Christian dignity, to show a new status as Christians. This tradition extends from when only the aristocratic society would wear white, and this symbolises the spiritual wealth of being a Christian.
Lighted candle: The candle is lighted, with the flame representing a symbol of life and knowledge. The light of the candle is seen as a symbol of Christ being ‘the light of the world.’
Chrism: The chrism is a sign of strength against temptation, sin and evil. The fragrant perfume is a symbol of the beauty and dignity of a child of God.
In an Adult Baptism a Baptisery is used to fully immerse the adult in water, a Baptisery is a large pool of water however if a Baptisery is not available then either a local swimming pool or, in the tradition of Jesus’ baptism, a river is used. In Adult has to decide when they are ready to be baptised, unlike in Infant baptism when the parents will decide on the baptism time of their child. In Adult baptism the Adult is considered to be baptised when they make the decision, where as a baby is considered to be baptised when they are actually touched by the water. A testimony is said before the Adult can be baptised, a testimony will explain why they have chosen to be baptised and how they have sinned in their life and feel that they now need to be cleansed of their sins.
The adult will then enter the Baptisery from one side and be fully immersed in the pool by the minister and a supporter then they are held in the water for approximately 5 seconds, and then lifted out as a symbol of their first breath of a new life, the water sprinkling off the candidate symbolises the sins being washed away. After this the candidate will exit from the pool on the opposite side that they entered, representing that they have been cleansed and have turned away from evil and sin.
The candidate would wear white robes as a sign of purity, to be baptised as a believer you must be over the age of twelve and to be baptised you must ask the minister. Candidates must be sorry for their sins and have faith in Jesus, to prepare the Candidates they may have to attend membership classes so they can be instructed in faith.
Adult baptism candidates commit themselves to Christ and so this sis why baptism is not a sacrament but a symbol as you have turned towards Christ rather than towards evil.
