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The importance of baptism in Christianity
Importance of baptism
The meaning and the significance of baptism
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Throughout the Bible the topic of baptism occurs frequently. Many different people have written about the significance of baptism. Paul discusses the topic of baptism in both the letter of Colossians and the letter of Romans. In the letter of Colossians, Paul describes baptism in relationship to circumcision. In this letter, he briefly discusses baptism but makes an important correlation between baptism and circumcision in relation to our faith. In the letter of Romans, Paul goes into much more detail when he discusses baptism. In this essay I am going to discuss the significance of baptism in both the letter of Colossians and the letter of Romans. Lastly, I am going to describe my experience and understanding of Christian baptism.
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As the years past, I never really gave much thought about what it truly meant nor was I trying to learn more about it, I just carried on with my life. It wasn’t really until I got to experience three other baptisms of my friends and family that I became a little curious about the whole idea of it all. While growing up in Catholic schools, I was taught about how important the baptism was but I was still a bit unclear until I began actually reading the letters written by Paul. As I read the letters of Paul I believe I have finally grasped what my understanding of Christian baptism is. I believe that baptism is a way for us to rid ourselves of original sin that was placed on us by Adam and Eve. This erasing of original sin allows us to be enveloped in the grace of God, so that we could have a chance to be able to stand amongst him when it’s time for us to leave this world. The act of water surrounding us as we are pushed back into it is, I believe, an allegory to God’s love wrapping around us. Once we are pulled out from the water, we are then reborn anew, without the weight of original sin holding us back from being able to stand amongst God. This allows us to receive God’s redemption power because we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. We are humans and as humans we will always sin but instead of us being punished by the power of God we are instead forgiven. The end result of our baptism is our new standing with
The Blessing and Invocation of God over Baptismal Water evokes the history of baptism. The sacred scripture of the Bible is the etymology of the prayer, as it accentuates the purpose; it illustrates the new birth and death the newly baptized are involved in. The prayer is structured in stanzas of four sections. The first section makes reference to God’s power and amplifies the faithful’s gratitude to God’s grace that is received, the second section relates to the Old Testament and portrays the power and role of water that baptised and immersed the evil to reveal the virtuous
Christianity stands as one of the most significant, and historically rich and relevant Religions ever to grace the Earth, especially given its status as a highly living and dynamic one, that being that it is a religion that is still very much alive and flourishing, in addition to being ever changing and evolving. (http://www.academia.edu/6386126/the_ways_in_which_the_four_characyeristics_of_religion_interact_to_create_a_dynamic_living_faith_tradition) It is thanks, in no small part to the significant figure of St. Paul of Tarsus and the foundation he laid for Christianity that has endured until today, as well as the message of Salvation through faith he preached. Another critical element of Christianity through the ages up to the current age of modern dynamism is Baptism, mainly how it impacts upon individuals and Christian communities. It is therefore clear that through these key aspects of Christianity, we may gain insight on what exactly contributes towards Christianity being a living and dynamic religion.
Christianity is considered to be a living religion especially in terms of the reach for salvation. In the present through the practice of Baptism, Christians believe they die to the life of Original Sin and are born again to Christ, thus able to achieve Salvation. Thus, the tradition and sacred ritual of baptism implies that in order to be active adherents in the Catholic church, one must be baptised, just as Jesus was in the New Testament, “Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 2:38) Another way in which baptism demonstrate that Christianity is a living religious tradition, is through the teachings associated with the purpose of human existence. Through the act of Baptism, which is a direct display of the belief in Salvation through Jesus, the purpose of human life is presented in terms of adherent’s purpose to lov...
Here one can see the significance of baptism extending far beyond the momentary act that is the baptismal rite. Baptism is an act of birth; it gives an immediate and direct connection with Christ’s resurrection, and it lays the foundation for fellowship, which
The Jordan River is a place desired to visit by Christians and people whom practice their faith. A baptism by water signifies purity and regeneration into the Christian church. There are different styles of undergoing a baptism. Some people are submerged under water, while others might only get sprinkled with water on their forehead. Baptisms are celebrated with the church, immediate family and friends. There is not a required age someone must be to get baptized. Water is also referred to Gods word in the Bible. God refers to water as a cleanser “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols” (The Bible). Water is significant because it provides a sense of deliverance to
Baptism is one of the most important and popular rituals in Christianity. It is a simple process that requires an individual to be immersed into the water, blessed and pronounced “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Christian
Many Christian denominations practice the tradition of baptism. However, many denominations differ widely on the meaning and significance of the sacrament or ordinance of baptism. Baptism in the Old Testament is used as a symbol of a believer’s devotion to God by washing with water as a sign of purification and consecration. There are many different meanings and techniques to baptism that have been observed by many faiths over thousands of years. Many of the customs and b...
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptiz- ing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” ( Matt. 28:19-20 NIV ). The idea of sharing in the death of Christ connects remission of sins with baptism which the death of Christ effected. ( Act 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21). Just as physical washing cleanses our bodies from filthiness, so also baptism symbolically cleanses our spirits through participation in the death of Christ. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink (I Cor. 12:13 NIV). In addition, baptism connects with spiritual birth along with the Spirit’s reception. Hence, participation in Christ’s resurrection indicates that the Holy Spirit is presently in our lives. Baptism is an indication of the relationship we have with Christ and wherever we find ourselves in the world, our deportment, attitude and disposition should be in alignment with our confession of faith. Jesus’ baptism should help us realize how much we are loved by God. Jesus died to pay a debt he did not owe to release from a debt we could not pay. Baptism is a two-fold operation because we are symbolically
the means to obtain forgiveness of sins after Baptism. We have come to focus on
Baptism in Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy In Roman Catholicism, baptism is viewed as a fundamental part of the Catholic tradition. Baptism is a sacrament that is shared with many branches of the Christian faith, and Roman Catholic church tradition dictates that one must be baptized in order to receive the gift of rebirth and to be adopted into the Kingdom of Heaven. Some groups believe that baptism requires full submersion in water, but the Roman Catholics believe that laving the water on the forehead and sometimes chest is the proper baptismal procedure. The Church find full immersion baptisms to be unnecessary, and for some like the elderly or very ill, it can be impossible.
Baptism, one of the most prevalent signs of Christian faith, has, for a long time, been a highly debated topic within the community of the body of believers. There are many different ideas surrounding the different practices and views of baptism, even the reason of why we carry out the act of baptism. Just as the idea of a marriage ceremony is to profess your love and commitment to each other, a baptism ceremony has the same effect, but instead your commitment is to Christ. This essay will take a look at this topic, the philosophical ideas surrounding it, how the Bible address it, and also the historical context in which this theological topic falls into.
The best way to view baptism as a whole is to look at the process or “Steps of Baptism”. This is: hearing the good news, believing and having faith, repenting, confessing, being baptised, and accepting the Christian lifestyle and Holy Spirit (NT 121 Acts of the Apostles notes, Professor Stine). God made a plan for salvation, it is to be followed completely, or ignored. You cannot climb up a flight of stairs if you are missing steps. Such is with steps of faith, you cannot reach the top without first placing your relationship with God on every step.
The prefiguring of the sacrament of baptism in salvation history is completed in the ministry of Jesus Christ. His own baptism, totally unnecessary for the Sinless One, reveals his remarkable humility and marks the beginning of his public life. The Saviour’s baptism looks forward to the sacrament he established and entrusted to his followers, for example, when he commanded his apostles to go out and preach the good news and to baptize in his name (Mt. 28:19-20). The water and blood that gushed from his side at the time of his death make it possible for Christians “to be born again of water and the
It is followed by years of catechesis before being completed late by Confirmation and the Eucharist, the summit of Christian initiation. Baptism is the Church 's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God and the promise of salvation. 'Peter replied, "Repent and be baptised..." ' (Acts 2: 38-39) Baptism happens not only to the individual, but also the wider Church. At the time of Christ it signified that the person being baptised became a follower of Christ and acquired a relationship with him. '... I (Paul) also baptised the household of Stephanas... ' (1 Corinthians 1:16) The rite is celebrated with the community present and actively participating. It is the community, who will journey with them throughout their
During Baptism, we are received into the church. Baptism is important as it represents a death to the old sinful life. and a rise to a new life as a Christian. Water is used to cleanse and during Baptism, an infant is cleansed of original sin or a believer is. cleansed of personal sin.