The Central Features of Infant and Believers Baptism

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The Central Features of Infant and Believers Baptism

Baptism has been an important part of Christianity since the earliest

days of the church. Baptism is the first of 7 sacraments in the

Catholic Church. It is the 1st of the 3 sacraments of initiation.

Someone who is baptized becomes a member of the Christian community

and baptism is also a sacrament in many protestant churches. Many

Christian traditions baptise infants. In the Roman Catholic Church

baptism usually takes place within 6 weeks of the child’s birth. The

ceremony takes place in the church and the priest baptises the infant.

It begins with the reception, which takes place at the entrance of the

church. The priest waits at the door and welcomes the baptismal party.

It takes place at the back of the church as it signifies a journey in

faith. The entrance to the church is also the entrance to the faith.

The priest asks three questions to the baptismal party. He asks what

name they give their child and what they want of the church for their

child, they reply “Baptism”. He asks the god- parents if they agree to

help the parents in their duty as Christian parents. And then traces

the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead: the parents and god-

parents do the same. This is a sign of ownership and that the child

now belongs to God and it is also a sign of the saving power of the

crucifixion of Jesus.

The celebration of the word of God includes a number of readings that

stress the importance of this sacrament. One of the following readings

may be read out to highlight the significance and meaning of this

sacrament.

1. The Baptism of Jesus

2. Jesus’ Conversation w...

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...tians believe that baptism should take place as

an adult, they would also say that repentance comes first in the New

Testament and they seen that Jesus was baptized as an adult. And they

believe that they should follow his example.

Babies cannot repent when they are baptized but adults can fully

accept by repenting, believing and being baptized

“You don’t have personal sin” Peter Acts 2V 38

Jesus always welcomed little children and loved them very much by

blessing them and telling off those who wanted to make them go away.

“Let the little children come to me and do not stop them; for it is to

such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” Mark 10: 13-16.

Jesus saw children as an example of what Christians should be like.

The Church should also welcome children and infant baptism is a good

way to do this.

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