Baptism is an important practice in Christianity that expresses key beliefs. It involves immersing or sprinkling with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as a symbol of being washed clean from sin and beginning new life in Christ. Baptism signifies death to sin and resurrection to new life through faith in Jesus' death and resurrection. It is a sacrament that welcomes individuals into the Christian community and church.

1. Studies Of ReligionStudies Of Religion
CHRISTIANITYCHRISTIANITY
BAPTISMBAPTISM

2. Syllabus PointsSyllabus Points
• describedescribe ONEONE significant practicesignificant practice withinwithin
ChristianityChristianity
• demonstratedemonstrate how the chosenhow the chosen practicepractice
expresses the beliefs of Christianityexpresses the beliefs of Christianity
• analyse the significanceanalyse the significance of thisof this practicepractice forfor
both theboth the individualindividual and theand the ChristianChristian
communitycommunity

3. DescribeDescribe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9SrRWCoGIM

4. Why Baptise?Why Baptise?
Jesus instructs itJesus instructs it (Matthew 28:19-20)(Matthew 28:19-20)
““Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations,Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations,
baptising them and teaching them …”baptising them and teaching them …”
Death/Life symbol – Romans 6:3 –Death/Life symbol – Romans 6:3 – BaptismBaptism
reflects the belief that Christians die to sin justreflects the belief that Christians die to sin just
as Jesus died – this is part of an argument thatas Jesus died – this is part of an argument that
grace does not mean we should sin withgrace does not mean we should sin with
abandon!abandon!

5. Romans 6Romans 6
• 6:3 Or don't you know that6:3 Or don't you know that all of usall of us who werewho were
baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into hisbaptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his
death?death? 44 WeWe were therefore buried with himwere therefore buried with him
through baptism into death in order that, just asthrough baptism into death in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead through theChrist was raised from the dead through the
glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
• 6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to
sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

6. Steps in baptismSteps in baptism
• Pledge – vows of repentance, faith &Pledge – vows of repentance, faith &
obedience (obedience (exorcism – RC & Greek Orthodoxexorcism – RC & Greek Orthodox))
• Statement of faith – recite Apostle’s creedStatement of faith – recite Apostle’s creed
• Baptism in water –Baptism in water – sprinkle, dip, submerge?sprinkle, dip, submerge?
• Name – Trinitarian formulaName – Trinitarian formula
• Sign of the CrossSign of the Cross
• Welcomed into life of the churchWelcomed into life of the church

7. SymbolsSymbols
• 1.1. WaterWater ––
 Genesis 1:1-2, 6-10Genesis 1:1-2, 6-10
 Genesis 6:17-22Genesis 6:17-22
 Exodus 14:21-31Exodus 14:21-31
it is a sign of being washed clean from sin and beginning a new life withit is a sign of being washed clean from sin and beginning a new life with
Christ. It is a sign of life and one way through which God revealed Himself.Christ. It is a sign of life and one way through which God revealed Himself.
In the New Testament, water is a sign of a 'clean start' - being 'reborn'.In the New Testament, water is a sign of a 'clean start' - being 'reborn'.
• 2.2. Light - Lit CandleLight - Lit Candle - Jesus is called the light of the world. That- Jesus is called the light of the world. That
light that has come into their lives.light that has come into their lives.
• 3.3. The sign of the crossThe sign of the cross - the forehead of the baptismal- the forehead of the baptismal
candidates. Christians are united with Christ and not afraid to stand up forcandidates. Christians are united with Christ and not afraid to stand up for
him.him.

8. Symbols (cont’d)Symbols (cont’d)
• 44.. White robes/garmentsWhite robes/garments – traditionally priest and– traditionally priest and
baptised wear white. Made pure – cleansed.baptised wear white. Made pure – cleansed.
• 55.. Repentance -Repentance - an important part of baptisman important part of baptism
““Repent and be baptised … in the name of the Lord Jesus for theRepent and be baptised … in the name of the Lord Jesus for the
forgiveness of sins: and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”forgiveness of sins: and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
(Acts 2:38)(Acts 2:38)
(Peter’s first sermon)(Peter’s first sermon)
• 6. Congregational promises6. Congregational promises

9. Demonstrate beliefsDemonstrate beliefs

10. SacramentSacrament
• Sacraments = sacramentum (Lat) cf mysterion (Gk)Sacraments = sacramentum (Lat) cf mysterion (Gk)
= a secret revealed OR something of mystical= a secret revealed OR something of mystical
significance – a symbolsignificance – a symbol
Represents the more sacred acts in Christian ministryRepresents the more sacred acts in Christian ministry
• == “an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual“an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual
grace”grace” approved by Jesus Christ.approved by Jesus Christ. (Catechism for Confirmation,(Catechism for Confirmation,
Anglican Church, Australian Anglican Prayer Book (1978) p.542)Anglican Church, Australian Anglican Prayer Book (1978) p.542)
• Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican – all agreeRoman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican – all agree
Baptism & Lord’s Supper = sacramentBaptism & Lord’s Supper = sacrament

11. Baptism (Anglican)Baptism (Anglican)
• ““Outward, Visible sign” = Water &Outward, Visible sign” = Water &
baptised in the Name of the “Father, Sonbaptised in the Name of the “Father, Son
and Holy Spirit”and Holy Spirit”
• ““Inward, Spiritual Grace” = death to sin &Inward, Spiritual Grace” = death to sin &
new birth to righteousnessnew birth to righteousness

12. Beliefs (Prelim. Course)Beliefs (Prelim. Course)
• TrinityTrinity – “in the name of …”– “in the name of …”
• SalvationSalvation – recognition of the– recognition of the death anddeath and
resurrection of Christresurrection of Christ
– DeathDeath – identify with the necessary sacrifice for sin– identify with the necessary sacrifice for sin
– ResurrectionResurrection – join in new life made possible through– join in new life made possible through
sacrifice and victory over deathsacrifice and victory over death
• ChurchChurch –– joined to Christ – people united =joined to Christ – people united =
body of Christbody of Christ

13. SignificanceSignificance

14. SignificanceSignificance
• Commanded by ChristCommanded by Christ (Matthew 28:19-20)(Matthew 28:19-20)
• Places Death of Christ at centrePlaces Death of Christ at centre (Romans 6)(Romans 6)
• Sign of forgiveness of sinsSign of forgiveness of sins (1 Corinthians 6:11)(1 Corinthians 6:11)
11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were
sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and bysanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by
the Spirit of our God.the Spirit of our God.
Note: Christians believe they need forgiveness of sin for salvation and rightNote: Christians believe they need forgiveness of sin for salvation and right
relationship with Godrelationship with God
• Unity of those who have been baptised i.e. the churchUnity of those who have been baptised i.e. the church (1(1
Corinthians 12:13)Corinthians 12:13)
13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks,13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks,
slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

15. VariantsVariants
Roman Catholic viewRoman Catholic view
Application of the rite of baptism removesApplication of the rite of baptism removes
original sin and results in justificationoriginal sin and results in justification
(being right before God).(being right before God).
Emphasis is on administration of the riteEmphasis is on administration of the rite

16. VariantsVariants
Reformed view (Protestant)Reformed view (Protestant)
• Emphasis on receiving the rite and the act ofEmphasis on receiving the rite and the act of
beliefbelief
• Not saved by baptism – but by faithNot saved by baptism – but by faith
• Child is still responsible to take up belief inChild is still responsible to take up belief in
Christ and voluntarily to enter into union withChrist and voluntarily to enter into union with
Christ cf circumcisionChrist cf circumcision
BaptistBaptist – Adults only – must be accompanied by– Adults only – must be accompanied by
profession of faithprofession of faith

17. Variants (Homefun)Variants (Homefun)
• Find two variants of Christianity from the listFind two variants of Christianity from the list
below and research how they differ from eachbelow and research how they differ from each
other re: baptismother re: baptism
AnglicanAnglican
Roman CatholicRoman Catholic
Greek OrthodoxGreek Orthodox
BaptistBaptist

18. Sprinkled v Dunked?Sprinkled v Dunked?
• Relevant?Relevant?