expressions of faith

• Sacrament


  A Christian rite that is an outward and visible sign of spiritual grace
• Seven sacraments of the Catholic Church

  • Sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
  • Sacraments of healing: Penance, Anointing of the sick
  • Sacraments at the service of communion: Marriage, Holy orders
• Three rites of initiation in the Catholic Church

  • Baptism
  • Confirmation
  • Eucharist
• Baptism


  Initiation into the Christian faith, entry into life in Christ and the spirit, involves water as a symbolic washing away of sin and representing death and resurrection
• Jesus was baptized as an adult by John the Baptist in the River Jordan
• At Jesus's baptism


  God announced from heaven that Jesus is his son
• Baptism


  • Symbol of rebirth and entry into the kingdom of God
  • Immersion in water represents death and resurrection with Christ
• According to the Gospels, Jesus was baptized by full immersion in the River Jordan
• John the Baptist: 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'
• Jesus's baptism is one of the few historically certain events in his life
• At Jesus's baptism


  The Holy Spirit descended upon him
• God the Father: 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'
• Jesus, being sinless, did not need to be baptized to have his sins washed away
• Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• Great Commission


  Jesus's command to his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• Jesus's baptism


  Marked the beginning of his earthly ministry and work to inaugurate the kingdom of God
• Jesus's baptism as an adult suggests baptism should be a personal choice and commitment
• Jesus was baptized to demonstrate humility and the importance of baptism for his followers
• Baptism


  Marks the washing away of sins
• Jesus was born sinless


  He did not need baptism to happen
• Why Jesus was baptized

  To show humility, demonstrate he is 100% human and 100% divine, and emphasize the importance of baptism for his followers
• Jesus set an example for Christians by being baptized
• John the Baptist


  Confirmed Jesus' identity as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world
• The importance of Jesus' death on the cross and his sacrificial death for saving humanity from sin
• Infant baptism


  Sacrament practiced by the Catholic Church, involves water being poured on the forehead of a baby
• Believer's baptism


  Ordinance practiced by the Baptist Church, involves full immersion in water as an adult
• Original sin


  Reason for infant baptism in Catholic Church to wash away sin inherited from Adam and Eve
• The Catholic Church teaches that baptism frees from sin and allows rebirth as a child of God, making one a member of the church
• Infant baptism ceremony


  1. Anointing with holy oil

  2. Blessing of baptismal water

  3. Renunciation of sin and affirmation of faith by parents/godparents

  4. Dipping or pouring of water

  5. Anointing with oil of chrism

  6. Giving of lighted candle and special prayer
• Importance of infant baptism for Catholic Christians

  • Cleanses child of original sin
  • First rite of initiation into the church and gateway to other sacraments
  • Enables work of Holy Spirit in child's life
• Reasons Baptist Church rejects infant baptism

  • Rejection of doctrine of original sin
  • Belief that baptism should be a personal choice made as an adult
  • Emphasis on believer's baptism as an ordinance, not a sacrament
• Communion


  Participation or sharing in something
• Holy Communion


  Partaking in the sacrament of the Eucharist
• The practice of the Eucharist was inaugurated by Jesus Christ himself at the Last Supper
• Jesus said "Do this in memory of me"
• Form of Holy Communion


  Ritual actions and words used at the consecration, where the Bread and Wine are made holy, including the priest invoking the presence of the Holy Spirit and repeating the account of the Last Supper from 1 Corinthians
• Matter of Holy Communion

  The Bread and Wine, which Catholics believe literally become the body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation)
• Intention of Holy Communion

  To celebrate Mass and give thanks to God
• The Mass is a reenactment of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, including the ritual breaking of the consecrated bread and the sharing of the peace
• Saint Paul: 'But I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."'