Baptism

INTRODUCTION

Baptism, form of initiation (often referred to as a rite) used throughout the Christian Churches. The term derives from the Greek word baptizein, which is thought to have the general meaning of to dip repeatedly or perhaps to immerse. Christian baptism is particularly associated with the use of water as a symbol of purification. There are important continuities here with the Jewish law, which stipulated that water was to be used for ritual cleansing. Some of the later Jewish prophets speak of how those returning to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon would cross the River Jordan and be sprinkled with its water to cleanse them of their sins. Gentiles who converted to Judaism were generally required to baptize themselves as a sign of their new religious commitment. The practice of immersing in water was associated with the ministry of John the Baptist, who baptized Jews in the River Jordan at the time of the beginning of the ministry of Jesus.

Infant Baptism During the late 4th and 5th centuries, St Augustine laid the foundations for infant baptism in the Roman Catholic church. According to him, people are born with an affinity for sin and, as descendants of Adam and Eve, share in the guilt of original sin. St Augustine stressed the importance of infant baptism, a ceremony in which the childs head is sprinkled with water to cleanse its soul and prepare it for a life in Christ. This woodcut depicts a priest baptizing a child. THE BETTMANN ARCHIVE

Microsoft Encarta Premium Suite 2005. 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

II

THE MEANING OF BAPTISM

The practice of baptism in the name of Jesus or into Christ is described at several points in the New Testament. Some of the early sermons recorded in the Acts of the Apostles make explicit reference to the need to be baptized in order to be saved. Particular importance has been laid on a passage in the Gospel According to Matthew, in which Jesus commanded his followers to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Although there is disagreement within Christianity as to how many sacraments are to be recognized, there is universal agreement that baptism is one of them. The rite of baptism has been understood in a number of ways. Particularly on account of the influence of the writings of St Paul in the New Testament, it came to be understood as participating in the death and Resurrection of Jesus (see Romans 6:1-11). The associated imagery of taking off ones old nature and putting on the new nature in Jesus Christ also proved influential. A link was also understood to exist between baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit, by which the Christian was regenerated. The Apostles Creed affirms belief in one baptism for the remission of sins, clearly establishing a link between the rite and this central theme of the Christian gospel.

III

INFANT BAPTISM

Infant baptis m has been the subject of disagreement among the Christian Churches. The New Testament neither explicitly affirms nor denies the need to baptize infants. It seems that infant baptism became common at an early stage, possibly reflecting the Jewish understanding that even infants belong to the covenant community. While most major Christian denominations continue the practice of baptizing infants, Baptist Churches and many charismatic denominations hold that only believing adults should be baptized, although such churches may still hold

thanksgiving services for the birth of an infant where the congregation may be asked to promise to support the family. In mainstream Western Christianity, it is generally required that infants who are to be baptized should have the support of sponsors (often referred to as godparents) who take on special responsibilities for the childs upbringing. Infants who have been baptized are admitted to full Church membership through confirmation, which involves the laying on of hands (and, in the Roman Catholic Church, anointing with oil), and subsequent admission to first communion.

IV

BAPTISM IN PRACTICE

The practice of baptism developed considerably as time progressed. The earliest practices (such as those described in the Didache, which probably dates from the early 2nd century) describe a simple rite focusing on a triple immersion in water. However, other elements were soon added, including a period of fasting and teaching before baptism, the confession of sins, the renunciation of Satan, the laying on of hands, and especially anointing with oil. The practice of anointing with oil has important roots in the Jewish tradition. Some early Christian writers report that those who had been baptized took part in a symbolic meal of milk and honey, recalling Israels entry into the promised land of Canaan. Modern Christianity offers a number of different approaches to baptism. In the Roman Catholic tradition, baptism is accompanied by exorcism and the anointing with oil and chrism (a mixture of olive oil and balsam). In Protestant denominations, a simpler form is adopted, in which water alone is used. There is some variation as to the manner in which the baptism itself is carried out. Some Churches prescribe that baptism must take place by total immersion, while others only require that the water is to be applied to the head of the person to be baptized. While the form of words used varies, the formula of baptism in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is widely used. Microsoft Encarta Premium Suite 2005. 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.