Baptism today occurs when you are an infant or an adult. A Christening is the name given to the ceremony for infant baptism. The name for adult baptism is Believers Baptism. The Baptists, Christian Brethren and the Pentecostal Church all favour Believers Baptism, as theyelieve people should wait until they are old enough to make their own decision whether to profess their faith in Jesus. The Churches, which favour Infant Baptism, are the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of England, the Greek Orthodox Church and the Methodists. The argument these churches put forward is that children will be brought up in the Church. Infant Baptism is a more common type of Baptism.
The ceremony for infant baptism is called a Christening. In the Christening the minister, godparents, parents together with the rest of the congregation are present. The baby is welcomed with parents and Godparents. The Parents and Godparents are asked if they are prepared to bring the baby up as a Christian. The all agree. A prayer is then said for the child and then the priest will then sprinkle water on the Childs forehead. Candles are then sometimes lit to signify God’s light for the child in his/her life.
The service for Believers baptism is different. The service starts with a call to worship followed by a hymn then a prayer. A bible reading follows the prayer.
Candidate is the name given to the person receiving baptism. Sometimes the candidate might make a short speech explaining why he wants to be baptised. Then a prayer follows the speech saying why he/she wants to be baptised and the prayer gives thanks to God for Jesus’ death and resurrection. The candidate then must profess his faith. He is then completely immersed in water. The candidate then shouts aloud “Jesus is the Lord” to show his belief in Jesus. Then follows the “laying on of the hands” of hands on the candidates hands while commitment to God is further encouraged. The candidate is then welcomed into the church as full members. The service finishes with a celebration of the Last supper.
The main differences between Infant and believers baptism is that the person themselves request to be baptised and in infant baptism the parents make the decision for their child. Another difference is that in Infant baptism water is sprinkled over the child’s head but in Believers Baptism the candidate is totally immersed in water. In infant baptism the parents select godparents and a candle is sometimes lit, these do not happen in Believers Baptism. Similarities are that in both water is used and both result in becoming members of the Christian community.
No. of words. 594