baptism and prayer

• Baptism


  A sign of initiation used in Christianity since the birth of the church
• Jesus's baptism


  1. Jesus went to see John at the River Jordan

  2. Jesus was baptized
• Jesus's baptism is one of the best demonstrations of the concept of the Trinity being present in the Bible
• Jesus instructed his followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• Key ideas and themes linked to baptism

  • Death and resurrection
  • Forgiveness of sin
  • Receiving the Holy Spirit
  • Obedience and commitment
• Death and resurrection in baptism


  The person going fully down into the water represents dying and going down into the ground or tomb, then coming up out of the water represents receiving new life
• Forgiveness of sin in baptism


  A person dies to their old self and is reborn as an adopted member of God's family, a member of the church, cleansed of their sin
• Receiving the Holy Spirit in baptism

  Christians believe that through baptism a person receives the gift of the Holy Spirit which works within them to sanctify them and build their faith
• Obedience and commitment in baptism

  Jesus was baptized as a sign of obedience to God, and when adults are baptized it is they themselves who make a commitment to follow Christ
• Jesus's baptism is an example for Christians to follow, and nearly all Christians except Quakers and Salvation Army see baptism as a sign of initiation
• Types of prayer


  • Traditional prayers
  • Spontaneous prayers
• Traditional prayers


  Prayers that have been used and passed down for many generations, can be comforting and familiar, allow a group to pray together, but may not feel very personal
• Spontaneous prayers


  Prayers that a person creates themselves, can feel more personal and help deepen the person's relation with God, but can become self-centered and do not allow a group to pray together
• Prayer postures


  • Kneeling
  • Genuflecting
  • Prostrating
  • Sitting
  • Raising arms upwards
  • Holding arms open
  • Joining hands together
• Kneeling


  A sign of humility and a desire to submit to God's will
• Genuflecting


  A sign of respect, commonly done to acknowledge the presence of Christ in the tabernacle
• Prostrating


  A sign of submission to God and a desire to ask for God's mercy
• Sitting


  A comfortable position which can show a person is wanting to spend time with God, for example in meditation
• Raising arms upwards


  A sign of praise to God and a way to focus attention on Him
• Holding arms open


  A sign of asking for help and showing the person is open to receiving from God
• Joining hands together

  A gesture of request, showing the person is asking something from God