Christian Tradition: THe Importance of Baptism

In a contemporary Christian environment one of the most prominent practices to have a significant contribution to Christianity as a living religious tradition is Baptism. Baptism is of utmost importance for most Christian denominations. It has profound significance for the individual who is baptised and is also important for the Christian community as a whole. As a sacrament of initiation, Baptism calls its adherents to become missionary Disciples of Christ. It is through baptism that one’s faith journey begins and Christians are called to follow and live their lives in the light of Christ.

Baptism serves a vital role in the development of Christianity as a living religious traditions in most denominations. It is the ritual used in the majority of Christian denominations to officially signify an individual’s initiation into the beliefs and practices of the Christian community. Baptism is also an authentic rite of passage. It marks the transition of the individual from one stage or state in life onto the next. In terms of the Christian community it marks the transition of a person from being outside of this community to becoming a fully initiated member. For most denominations it also has significance as a statement of a person's beliefs in the Christian tradition and is an integral part of our salvation and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Baptism also allows Christians to share in the death and resurrection of Christ and cleanses people from the stain of original sin. The act is either committed through immersion (typically practiced by eastern orthodox), aspersion or affusion depending on the branch of Christianity. Commonly, this practice is usually carried out among infants however some variants of Christianity such as the Pent...

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...ly by the faith of the community. It is the role of the community to nurture the newly baptised individuals faith, supporting and leading them to Christ by giving witness to the love of Christ in its observance and celebration of the Christian life. Furthermore, this exclusive membership calls the community to be witnesses to their mission of delivering the Gospel to others by being “missionary disciples” and as result strongly enriches Christianity as a living religious tradition. Moreover, “baptism celebrates the union of sinner with savior” (Max Lucado) as adherents physically take part in the same ritual as Jesus (“I need to be baptised” Mthw3:13) therefore establishing a connection with community and Christ. Thus, it can be seen that the community is a key aspect in both Baptism and the sustenance of Christianity as a dynamic and living religious tradition.