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Introduction

Baptism Baptism today is important because it is a sign of receiving life in the Holy Spirit. In receiving baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus is identifying himself with the people of Israel. He also bears on their behalf the burden of God's decisive judgement. In receiving this baptism He is also renewing Israel's relationship with God. For today's Christians, baptism brings us into the family of God and for us it is the beginning of a new relationship that will last (if it is nourished with the word of God) until the moment of our death. It means being part of God's family; where we belong, learn and share a certain way of life. When Christians bring their child to be baptised, they are giving a sign to the world that they are united with God in the upbringing of their child - body and soul. When it says 'On coming up out of the water He saw heaven opening and the Spirit coming down on Him like a dove' this indicates divine intervention in the fulfilment of promise. The descent of the Spirit on Jesus anoints Him for His ministry. When we are baptised today, the Holy Spirit also descends on us indicating divine intervention, where we are also anointed in our ministry of life within the family of God. A voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased'. In this statement God acknowledges Jesus as His unique Son, and the object of His love. ...read more.

Middle

The candidate is taken into the water usually a large pool called a baptisery and completed imerged in water. The candidate is then welcomed into the church as a full member. The main difference between Infant baptism and Believers baptism is that in Believers baptism the person confirms his faith publicly were as the Child cannot make this commitment as they do not understand what is happening. The main similarities is that in both cases the person is completely immersed in water and the family is present for both, they are also both ways of welcoming the person into the Faith. Explain how being baptised might affect the behaviour, lifestyle and decision-making of Christian believers today. When we are baptised, the Holy Spirit decends upon us and lives within us for the rest of our lives. So any action we take will always have the light of Christ shining uon it. We put our baptism into action when we allow our lives and our decisions to be guided by Jesus Baptism not only purifies us from all sins but also makes us a neophyte 'a new creature' an adopted son of God. This gives us the power to act and live under the promoting of the Holy Spirit and allows us to grow in goodness through the moral virtues. Whenever we go out of our way to help other people we are living up to our calling as Christians, we are living our baptism. At times when this is dificult but we still make the effort this strengthens our relationship with Christ. ...read more.

Conclusion

Another way of looking at it is, that even though the parents may not actually attend church on a regular basis, they may be better Christians than many of those that do. If they feel that their baby should be baptised then who are we to judge them and deny them. Secondly, in Mark's Gospel chapter 10, versus 13-16, Jesus says, 'Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.' He then takes the children in his arms and blesses them. In a christening, a blessing from the priest will be spiritually beneficial for the baby, giving the child sanctifying grace, and the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, it would be better for the church to be used as a social gathering in the presence of God as not at all, and who knows, some of those present (who may not be practising Christians) may see this as an opportunity to return to the church. As we see in the parables of the prodigal son and the lost sheep that the father and Shepard were overjoyed at the return of the one that was lost. So better a lost sheep be returned to the church by way of a social gathering such as a joyous occasion like a christening as not to return at all. ...read more.

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Baptism section.