The Sacrament of Baptism

• Baptism is a rite of passage which welcomes someone into the Christian community using water as a symbol of forgiveness of sin
• Why are Christians baptised?

  • Because Jesus was himself baptised in the River Jordan by his cousin, a man known as John the Baptist.

  • Because Jesus told his followers to baptise others, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them

  in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew)

  • The water of baptism is a symbol of purification; the Christian leaves behind their old life of sin and starts a new life in Christ.

  • Baptism welcomes someone in to the family of the Christian Church.
• What is infant baptism?

  Most denominations baptise babies soon after they are born. This is known as infant baptism or Christening.

   The ceremony takes place around a special water bowl called a font. Traditionally the font is found near the church door to show that baptism welcomes the baby into the family of the Church.

   The parents, godparents and members of the congregation all make promises to bring the child up to follow Christ and to fight against evil.

   The priest sprinkles water on the child’s head and traces the sign of the cross upon it. In Catholic churches, the priest also anoints the child’s head with a special oil which has been blessed.

   The priest or minister says, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
• What is adult baptism?

  Some Christian denominations, such as the Baptist Church, do not baptise babies because they believe that the person being baptised should be old enough to make the promises to be a Christian for themselves. Another name for adult baptism is believer’s baptism.

   Adult baptism usually involves the person going right under water in a special pool called a baptistry. Sometimes people choose to be baptised in a river, a lake or even the sea.

   It is common for the person being baptised to declare their faith in God and Jesus, say sorry for their sins and promise to follow the teachings of Christianity.

   The minister will duck them briefly under the water, saying, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

   The waters of baptism symbolise dying to their old life and starting their new life as a Christian.