Difference between revisions of "Baptism"
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| − | '''Baptism''' is an important rite across all | + | '''Baptism''' is an important rite that exists across all Christian traditions. In many, but not all, Christian churches, baptism is the act that admits the participant to membership in the church. |
| − | Within the [[Catholic Church]], [[Orthodox Church]] and some [[Protestantism|Protestant]] | + | Within the [[Catholic Church]], [[Orthodox Church]] and some [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denominations, it is a [[sacrament]] generally necessary for [[salvation]] in accordance with [[Jesus]]' teaching in [[Gospel of John|John]] 3:5-- |
| + | <Blockquote>"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God".</blockquote> Because of this, infants are baptized a few weeks after being born. In the Catholic ritual, water is poured over the head of the child while the [[priest]] repeats the baptismal formula of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 28:19-- <blockquote>"I baptize you (name) in the Name of the [[God the Father|Father]], and of the Son, and of the [[Holy Spirit]]. Amen."</blockquote> Adult converts to Catholicism are immersed in water for baptism during the [[Easter]] vigil. | ||
| − | + | The significance and mode of baptism remain controversial subjects among evangelical Protestant Christians. Some churches believe that baptism needs to take place as an infant, while others believe only when a person makes an informed decision for Christ should they be baptized. In some churches, the water in John 3:5 is assumed to be the waters of birth and being born again refers to spiritual renewal. Thus baptism becomes an ordinance performed after conversion. | |
| − | In the Reformed tradition, [[Presbyterian]] and others | + | In the [[Lutheran]] and [[Anglican]] churches, infant baptism by pouring is the norm. Among Christians of the Reformed tradition, including [[Presbyterian]]s and others who hold to the Westminster Confession of Faith, baptism is administered to both believing adults and the children of a believer, for a public confession and as a sign and seal of God's Covenant of [[Grace]]. <ref name="WCF"> The Westminster Confession of Faith for study classes by G.I.Williamson, 1964, pp207ff </ref> It is properly administered by dipping, sprinkling or pouring, but is not essential for salvation. <ref name="WCF"/> Prominent past theologians have taught this doctrine such as [[John Calvin]] <ref> Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin, 1536, trans. 1989, pp.512ff</ref>, as well as contemporary teachers such as [[R.C. Sproul]] <ref> Now, That's a Good Question!, R.C.Sproul, 1996, p124-5, 339-342,</ref> |
| − | Among those typically identified with the [[Restoration Movement]] (seen by | + | Among those typically identified with the [[Anabaptist]] tradition, the [[Restoration Movement]] (seen by its adherents as a "restoration" to first century [[Christianity]]), and the [[Pentecostal]] churches, it is widely held that baptism is necessary in establishing a relationship with God. They practice baptism by full immersion in water, usually accompanied by an audible confession of faith. Such Christians believe it evident that in first century Christianity, as recorded in the book of [[Book of Acts|Acts]], baptism was ubiquitous. It is said that, "Of the eleven major conversion accounts in Acts, baptism is explicitly included in ten and never excluded (either explicitly or implicitly)." |
| − | + | Biblical accounts of baptism, with some degree of detail, often include phrases describing the person(s) as going into or coming out of water. This, along with the biblical comparison of baptism to burial, is part of their contention that the early Church practiced full immersion. The word itself, however, can mean either immersion, dipping (in water), or washing, and among Christians who baptise by pouring or sprinkling, it is believed that the wording in Matthew's Gospel that Jesus "went straighway out of the water," (per the King James Version) means only that he ascended the banks of the Jordan River following his baptism. | |
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 01:41, December 4, 2010
Baptism is an important rite that exists across all Christian traditions. In many, but not all, Christian churches, baptism is the act that admits the participant to membership in the church.
Within the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church and some Protestant denominations, it is a sacrament generally necessary for salvation in accordance with Jesus' teaching in John 3:5--
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God".Because of this, infants are baptized a few weeks after being born. In the Catholic ritual, water is poured over the head of the child while the priest repeats the baptismal formula of Matthew 28:19--
"I baptize you (name) in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."Adult converts to Catholicism are immersed in water for baptism during the Easter vigil.
The significance and mode of baptism remain controversial subjects among evangelical Protestant Christians. Some churches believe that baptism needs to take place as an infant, while others believe only when a person makes an informed decision for Christ should they be baptized. In some churches, the water in John 3:5 is assumed to be the waters of birth and being born again refers to spiritual renewal. Thus baptism becomes an ordinance performed after conversion.
In the Lutheran and Anglican churches, infant baptism by pouring is the norm. Among Christians of the Reformed tradition, including Presbyterians and others who hold to the Westminster Confession of Faith, baptism is administered to both believing adults and the children of a believer, for a public confession and as a sign and seal of God's Covenant of Grace. [1] It is properly administered by dipping, sprinkling or pouring, but is not essential for salvation. [1] Prominent past theologians have taught this doctrine such as John Calvin [2], as well as contemporary teachers such as R.C. Sproul [3]
Among those typically identified with the Anabaptist tradition, the Restoration Movement (seen by its adherents as a "restoration" to first century Christianity), and the Pentecostal churches, it is widely held that baptism is necessary in establishing a relationship with God. They practice baptism by full immersion in water, usually accompanied by an audible confession of faith. Such Christians believe it evident that in first century Christianity, as recorded in the book of Acts, baptism was ubiquitous. It is said that, "Of the eleven major conversion accounts in Acts, baptism is explicitly included in ten and never excluded (either explicitly or implicitly)."
Biblical accounts of baptism, with some degree of detail, often include phrases describing the person(s) as going into or coming out of water. This, along with the biblical comparison of baptism to burial, is part of their contention that the early Church practiced full immersion. The word itself, however, can mean either immersion, dipping (in water), or washing, and among Christians who baptise by pouring or sprinkling, it is believed that the wording in Matthew's Gospel that Jesus "went straighway out of the water," (per the King James Version) means only that he ascended the banks of the Jordan River following his baptism.
