The sacraments : Baptism

• What are sacraments?

  • Sacraments are holy rituals through which believers receive a special gift of grace (free gift of God’s love) 
  • Some Christian denominations only recognise seven sacraments whilst some recognise fewer

  
• What are the 7 sacraments that that Catholic and Orthodox Christians recognise?

  • Baptism 
  • Confirmation 
  • Holy Communion (Eucharist) 
  • Reconciliation (Confession) 
  • Anointing the sick 
  • Holy Orders 
  • Marriage (Matrimony) 

  
• What are the 2 sacraments that many Protestant churches recognise?

  • Many Protestant churches only recognise two sacraments - Baptism and Holy Communion (Eucharist) 
  • They only recognise these as they believe Jesus taught people to undertake these

  
• Why do some churches not recognise certain sacraments?

  • Some churches that practice believer’s baptism consider baptism to be important but not a ‘sacrament’ 
  • Some churches like  the Quakers or Salvation Army do not see any ritual or ceremony as being a ‘sacrament’

  
• What does Baptism allow a person to do?

  • Imitate Jesus’ baptism which was done by the John the Baptist 
  • Become a member of the Christian Church 
  • Become a child of God 
  • Receive God’s saving grace and the Holy Spirit 
  • Become cleansed of sin 
  • Enter new life with Christ in the Christian community

  
• What is Baptism?

  • Baptism is the ritual through which a person becomes a member of the Church 
  • It involves the use of water to symbolise the washing away of sin

  
• What is infant baptism?

  Infant baptism is baptism for babies and young children

  
• Who practices infant baptism?

  It is practice by Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist and United Reformed Christians

  
• Why is infant baptism practiced?

  • It removes original sin - this is a Catholic and Orthodox belief 
  • It allows the child to be welcomed into the Church as soon as possible 
  • The parents can thank God for their new baby and celebrate with family and friends

  
• What happens in infants baptism?

  • The priest or minister pours blessed water over the baby’s head and says “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” 
  • Godparents and parents promise to bring up the child as a Christian 
  • The child is welcomed into the Christian community

  
• What is believers' baptism?

  Believers baptism is baptism for people who are old enough to understand the significance of the ritual 

  
• Who practices believers Baptism?

  It is practiced by Baptists and Pentecostalists

  
• Why is believer's baptism practiced?

  • People should be old enough to consciously make a mature decision about their faith 
  • The decision to live a life dedicated to Jesus is what saves a person , rather than the baptism itself 

  
• What happens in believer's baptism?

  • The person is fully immersed in a pool which symbolizes cleansing from sin and rising to a new life in Christ 
  • When asked whether they are willing to change their lives, the person gives a brief testimony of their faith in Jesus 
  • The person is baptised ‘in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit