Baptism is a significant Christian practice that involves cleansing or purification through water. It can involve sprinkling, pouring, or full immersion of individuals. Baptism signifies initiation into the Christian faith, a cleansing of sins, and a symbolic death and rebirth. It holds significance both for individuals as a personal commitment and acceptance of faith, as well as for Christian communities in welcoming new members. There are differences in beliefs and practices regarding baptism between denominations.

2. Baptism

3. Students will learn
about:
Significant practices in the life of adherents
ONE significant practice within Christianity
drawn from:
Baptism
Marriage ceremony
Saturday/Sunday worship

4. Students will learn
to:
describe ONE significant practice within
Christianity drawn from:
Baptism
Marriage ceremony
Saturday/Sunday worship
demonstrate how the chosen practice
expresses the beliefs of Christianity
analyse the significance of this practice
for both the individual and the Christian
community

5. Describe
Provide
characteristics and
features (of ONE
significant practice
within Christianity)

6. Demonstrate
Show by example (how
the chosen practice
expresses the beliefs
of Christianity)

7. Analyse
Identify components and
the relationship between
them; draw out and relate
implications (of the
significance of this
practice for both the
individual and the
Christian community)

8. Therefore...
Undertaking a 20 mark question on
‘baptism’ shouldn’t be difficult as
the syllabus makes this an easy
area for writing (i.e ‘designed’ for
20 marks!)
Conversely, writing a short
response on this depends on your
understanding of the individual
syllabus areas (describe,
demonstrate, analyse)

9. i.e. For the short answer
section, you must read and
understand what the question is
asking

10. Scriptural
references

11. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew
28:28-19)
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be
saved, but whoever does not believe will be
condemned.” (Mark 16:16-16)
“Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one
can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born
of water and the Spirit. " ” (John 3:3-5)
“After this, Jesus and his disciples went out
into the Judean countryside, where he spent
some time with them, and baptized” (John 3:22)

12. “Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every
one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for
the forgiveness of your sins. And you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts
2:38)
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be
baptized and wash your sins away, calling on
his name.”(Acts 22:16)
“one Lord, one faith, one baptism”
(Ephesians 4:5)
“and this water symbolizes baptism that now
saves you also--not the removal of dirt from
the body but the pledge of a good conscience
toward God. It saves you by the resurrection
of Jesus Christ” (1 peter 3:12)

13. describe ONE
significant
practice within
Christianity

14. Stereotypical view? (~ 5 minutes) (Season 7 Episode 3)

15. Definition

16. Short Version
A Christian sacrament
signifying spiritual cleansing
and rebirth
Most churches baptise infants
but some insist on adult
baptism

17. It is also a key part of becoming
a Christian
i.e it is the ‘first step’ of
initiation into the Christian
faith
i.e have to be baptised to
undertake other sacraments

18. Types
&
Methods

19. Aspersion- sprinkling water on
the head

21. Immersion-submersion of the
entire body in water

23. Affusion- pouring water over
the head

25. We will be mainly concerned with
the following methods of baptism
Pedobaptism-baptism
of infants
Credobaptism-baptism
of adults

26. Warning:
Cornball christian
video alert!
(“baptism Central”)
(Corny but good
overview of baptism)

28. describe the
practice
Examine the
pictures and
note what you
see

42. what is it?

43. The English words "baptise"
and "baptism" are derived
from a Greek root: "baptisr,"
which means "to immerse," "to
dip under," or "to wash."

44. Within Christianity, it is
usually performed by a
member of the clergy in a
‘church’ setting, thus
welcoming an individual into
the church.

45. Denominations disagree
about the method
(immersion or affusion/
aspersion), the age at which
the ritual is done, and
additional consequences of
baptism

46. Some Christian groups
maintain that baptism is
required before a person can
be saved; some say that only
those baptised in their
denomination or in a certain
way can be saved.

47. Still others consider baptism
to be merely an indication
that a person had been
saved in the recent past.

48. What actually
happens?

49. Catholic Baptism

50. ~ 6 minutes

51. Catholic Church
• infants anointed or water
poured
• considered to be an act of
salvation – the child is
now a Christian
• the act of baptism is
effective in itself

52. Pentecostal
Baptism

53. ~ 2.5 minutes

54. Pentecostal
• adult believers’ baptism
only
• full immersion
• symbolic of the acceptance of Jesus
Christ and obedience to his
commandments
• dying to sin and rising to new life
symbolised
• to be affirmed by a ‘second baptism’ of
the Holy Spirit

55. Orthodox
Baptism

57. Orthodox
• infants fully immersed in
water three times
• combined with anointing
of oil (chrismation)
• effects forgiveness of
sins

58. Church of
England (not
Anglican)
Baptism

60. Anglican
• variety of views ranging from
saving act to memorial
• infants anointed or water poured
• done before the congregation as
a symbol of church membership
• a sign that affirms forgiveness
received through faith

61. Presbyterian
• infants – water poured
or anointed
• sign of the covenant
relationship between God
and the family (as
circumcision)
• to be affirmed at
confirmation

62. Quaker/Salvation Army
Baptism is not practised; rather,
children are dedicated to God

63. Baptism is a rite of
passage that is sought by
many who are not
believers or practising
Christians
It is often considered
‘something special’

64. History /
Background

65. Baptism is most famously
identified with Christianity, where
it symbolises the cleansing
(remission) of sins, and the union
of the believer with Christ in His
death, burial and resurrection.

66. The Christian ritual of baptism
traces back to John the Baptist,
who the Bible says baptised
Jesus in the Jordan River.
Baptism among Christians is
performed by sprinkling,
pouring or full immersion.

67. The choice to be baptised is
made by a confessing believer
(believer’s baptism, or
credobaptism), regardless of
age, as a confession of his faith;
or for a child by his or her
parents (paedobaptism)
according to the parent's
confession of faith.

68. There are differences in opinion
about the nature and practice of
Christian baptism.

69. Some denominations, such as
Baptists, practice believer
baptism, and believe that
baptism does not save, but rather
publicly demonstrates that a
person has been saved through
his union with Christ.

70. For Christians, pouring or
washing with water
demonstrates being cleansed of
one's sins, while immersion
demonstrates both cleansing of
sin and burial with Christ.

71. Practicing baptism in a public
setting is a testimony of the
person's faith, and an expression
of their covenantal union with
Christ.

72. Significance/
Symbolism

73. Baptism is considered a
‘sacrament’
• a visible sign of an inner grace
• various meanings or
interpretations
• a sign of entry into the church,
cleansing from sin, rising to new
life

74. Baptismal Symbols
Water is the symbol of
purity and purification.
Oil is a traditional medium
signifying healing.
New garments signify
arrival into the church
Candles show Christ is the
light of the world
Bread and wine are the
entry point into receiving
the Eucharist. (Catholic)

75. Symbolism of water as
a purifying agent is
strong
• baptism is a communal act
that signifies membership
• godparents or sponsors
agree to help raise the
child in the Christian faith

76. Baptism
• a sign of forgiveness of
sins and new life
• expressed in different
forms in different
churches
• some see it as symbolic,
some see it as an
effective practice

77. The Significance of Baptism
for Christians
Baptism is an initiation to
faith.
It give people access to the
sacramental life of the
church.
The believer sees that
baptism frees them from
sin.
Baptismal practice
connects an individual to
the rich scriptural
tradition of the ancient
Jews, the first Christians
and Jesus.

78. end

79. Baptism – from the
Greek word ‘baptein’
• used for ritual
cleansing
• anointing, washing,
cleansing, pouring
or immersing

80. Baptism
• can be done to children or
infants, sometimes called
‘christening’
• or to adults – believers’
baptism

81. Background
in Jewish
ritual

82. The ritual of baptism is seen in the
purification rites of Jewish law and
tradition.

83. In the Tanakh and tradition of the
teachers of the Torah, a ritual bath
for purification from uncleanness
used to be required under specified
circumstances in order to be
restored to a condition of ritual
purity.

84. For example, women after
menstruation, and after a
number of blood-free days
following child-birth, were
washed in a ritual bath, called a
mikvah.

85. Traditional conversion to Judaism
also requires a mikvah, so for
converts Jewish initiation is in
some ways similar to Christian
initiation, although the term
baptism is not used to describe the
Jewish conversion.

86. Those who became ritually defiled
by contact with something
infectious, would also use the
mikveh as part of their healing.
Washing was also required for
converts.

87. Through practices such as these,
immersion in the mikveh came to
represent purification and
restoration, and qualification for
full religious participation in the
life of the community.

88. Process of Baptism
• There are 3 forms of Baptism;
• Aspersion- Sprinkling water over the head
• Affusion- Pouring water over the head
• Immersion- dunking, lowering the entire body
into the water

89. Bible References
• Then Peter said unto them, Repent,
and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38

90. Bible References
Therefore we are buried with him
by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead
by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of
life.
Romans 6:4

91. Baptism
The
Significance
of Baptism for
Christians
© Karen Devine 2008

92. Christian Baptism
Baptism is a rite of
initiation in
Christianity.
It is the “point of
entry” into the
Christian Church.
Most baptisms are
performed on infants
by pouring, dipping or
immersing them in
water.

93. Child vs Adult
Some denominations of
Christianity, such as
Baptists, use a
“believer’s baptism” and
engage in adult baptism.
Most Christian
Churches believe that
Jesus instituted baptism
and that it is necessary
for salvation.

94. Rejecting Sin
During the baptismal
rite those being
baptised reject sin and
profess a belief in the
Trinity.
This is done by
sponsors if the
candidate is an infant.

95. Orthodox Baptism
Orthodox Christians
are baptised by a
priest through 3
immersions in water.
Confirmation occurs
immediately after and
the recipient is
anointed with oil.
In Orthodoxy,
children are
important members of
the church from
infancy.

96. Scriptural
Jesus converses with
Nicodemus (Jn 3:3, 5-6)
Jesus commands the
disciples to baptise (Mt
28:19)
It is necessary for salvation
(Acts 8:13)
It allows believers to
participate in Christianity
( (Rom 6:4)

97. Jewish Immersions
 Christianity adopted
immersion in water from
Jewish tradition.
 Yet, there are many
distinguishing features of
Jewish immersions from
Christian baptism:
a) Jewish immersions involved
the person performing the
cleansing ritual alone, not
with someone pushing them
underwater as with baptism.

98. Ritual Purity
b) Jewish immersions
were completed for the
purpose of ritual
purity at various times
of a person’s life.
Eg: after menstruation,
after sex, after
shopping at the market
or coming into contact
with the dead.

99. Baptism Becomes a Christian
Rite
Baptism became an
initiatory rite for the
Christian Church in the
First Century CE.
As developed by Paul it
signified death and rebirth
in Jesus.
Unlike immersions, baptism
usually occurred only
once in a person’s life and
it was conversionary and
unrepeatable.
Baptism was not only an

100. Jewish Initiation
Whereas Jews
had 3 main
initiation rites:
a) Circumcision for
males.
b) A cleansing
immersion
c) Sacrifice in the
Temple.

101. The Christian
In the early Christian
tradition candidates were
probably naked during
baptism so that earthly
things did not interfere
with the experience.
Yet, there were some
restrictions on this for
the early Jewish
Christians, such as being
naked in front of the
opposite sex.
Over time John the
Baptist (a Jew) was
“taken” by Christian
scholars as the initiator