From the day of Jesus’ baptism this sacrament has been established in our church and depending on the type of church is taken by people either as a new born child or an adult. During the infant baptism as well as believers’ baptism, the event of Jesus’ baptism is recalled by the word and gestures of the priest. It makes the candidate Christ like therefore he/she is closer to God.
The Infant baptism is the service in Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches in which a baby is anointed with water. Infant baptism is the admission to Church membership. This form of baptism has been initiated by the parents who had a baby and they was worried that when the child dies without cleansing of the original sin, it would go to the hell, and also parents wanted, in the case of their death, the child to chose good way of life which means to be a true member of the Church so that everybody from the family would meet in heaven after the death. Another form of baptism is the believers’ baptism. During the ceremony child is poured with the water which symbolises the new, cleansed way of way of life. Jesus was cleansed and renewed by being immersed in water. It was also a fresh start for Him, as he begun a new mission. For the child the water washes off the original sin.
The Believer’s baptism is practiced in Baptist Churches, and a few others. The person who would like to be baptised by this method (the candidate) must be an adult. It is because only adult person can really have faith in Jesus Christ and is not forced in any way to do so. In this case the baptism of Jesus is treated literally so every step from Jesus’ baptism is present at the believers’ baptism. Baptists believe that Jesus by being baptise as an adult showed that this is the way of that ceremony. They also say that when an adult is baptised it is his/her own decision that no-one has forced them to do so, and that is also the following of Jesus because it was his decision to be baptised in the river Jordan. IN believers’ baptism as well as in Jesus’ the full immersion in the water occurs. It symbolises also as in the infant baptism the cleansing of any sins. Mark’s Gospel tells us the heavens open and the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. The adult being baptised also receives the gift of the Holy Spirit - adult is supported by the Holy Spirit at all time in his/her life.
At the ceremony of baptism there are several symbols used and each of them represents other thing. At the very start of the ceremony priests welcomes parents and the candidate at the door of the church. We believe that by being baptism we become the part of a huge Christian community - God’s family. Jesus’ baptism was witnessed by a number of onlookers. It was approval by God. We are encouraged to follow in his footsteps and thus join the Christian community. In the baptism we are welcomed at the door by the priest on behalf of the entire Christian community.
Then, the readings from the Gospel are read at the Lectern. WE believe that the words we hear are the words of God and are enlightened. Throughout our life we learn how to be Christ like by paying close attention to stories about Him; therefore we learn how to live like Christ.
At the next stage of the ceremony of baptism the candidate is anointed with the oil of Catechumens. The oil was used to heal and strengthen us against evil and sin, preparing them for a mission/task as followers of Christ.
The candidate is also anointed with the oil of Chrism. In the Old Testament times, king was anointed with it. It was a type of a perfume and balsam. Kings were marked in being unique. Just as Jesus was unique, we share in uniqueness as we follow Christ’s teachings.
After the candidate has been anointed with the oils, the priest pours holy water on the head of the candidate. Water was very significant in the early life of Jesus. It gives power. The water has a cleansing power. As well as that it gives new life and washes away sins. In baptism it cleanses the candidate from original sin, washes away evil allowing them to enjoy a new life of Christ and being free from sin.
In the baptism ceremony the candle is used as well. It is believed that we take in the light of Christ; this is when the light flame from the paschal candle is passed to the baptism candle. The paschal candle symbolises the resurrection of Christ, the new life. We share in this resurrection and new life in baptism. The light of Christ is present as a guiding force in the life of the candidate. The light will help the candidate to handle difficult situations in their life e.g. at time of depression, when they lose a close relative or some other situations.
The candidate is dressed with the white garment. Throughout Christ’s ministry white has been symbolic of purity. It is a Messianic colour. In baptism we believe that the candidate is purified and this is symbolised by the wearing of white garment. By saying purified I mean that the candidate is free from every sin and evil.
During the baptism the sign of the cross is used. In baptism we believe that the Trinity is present as it was in Jesus’ baptism. The candidate’s all five senses are blessed to symbolise that everything he/she does should reflect the love of God and teachings of Jesus.
It is true to say that Mark’s account of Jesus’ baptism has influenced Christian belief and understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism. One can notice that the Mark’s account was an instruction for Christian of how to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism. At every stage of the Baptism there is a connection to the Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan.
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