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essay about adult baptism
adult baptism /essay
essay about adult baptism
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Baptism
Let us consider first the baptism of adults. It is clear that before being baptized, adult candidates should be converted to the Lord, to living the Christian life, and to Christian morality, and they should be formed in Christian attitudes.
The few adults who are seeking baptism today in the Catholic Church are frequently not led to a point of conversion before being baptized. Many Christians from other denominations are becoming Catholics to resolve a mixed marriage. Often they were unconverted members of their previous churches-and their instructions in the particulars of the Catholic faith do nothing to lead them to a conversion experience. They often are not led to a personal relationship with the Lord, a life of prayer:, life in the Holy Spirit, love of the brethren, and Christian service. Jesus may not be any more the center of their life after they become a Catholic than before. "Instructions" and the use of appropriate liturgical rites in the various stages of the adult catechumenate don't necessarily produce converts.
With the baptism of infants, which is the predominant way the Catholic Church is maintaining itself today, we have an even more difficult situation. The Catholic Church has rightly defended the validity of infant baptism, citing its ancient and continuous practice and enunciating its theological justification. It has pointed out that infant baptism depends, for its ultimate effectiveness, on the baptized infant's being raised in an environment in which the infant can become a mature, committed Christian.
The effective catechumenate required in conjunction with infant baptism, then, is provided after the sacrament is administered, as the child grows up in a family environment and parish environment that function as a training ground of Christian life and faith. According to the sacramental theology of the Catholic Church, infant baptism is supposed to be administered in the context of a community of faith that will provide what is needed for the seed of divine life planted in baptism to grow.
Today, while the theoretical justifications for infant baptism remain valid, the conditions for its effective administration are realized less and less. The existence of a "very large number of baptized people who . . . are entirely indifferent to [their baptism] and not living in accordance with it" could have been predicted from the weaknesses in the circumstances in which the sacrament is being administered.
Today, many of the babies being baptized in the Catholic Church will not grow up in an environment of active faith and example in their families, or their parishes, with which they will probably have only marginal, insignificant contact.
Christianity is considered to be a living religion especially in terms of the reach for salvation. In the present through the practice of Baptism, Christians believe they die to the life of Original Sin and are born again to Christ, thus able to achieve Salvation. Thus, the tradition and sacred ritual of baptism implies that in order to be active adherents in the Catholic church, one must be baptised, just as Jesus was in the New Testament, “Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 2:38) Another way in which baptism demonstrate that Christianity is a living religious tradition, is through the teachings associated with the purpose of human existence. Through the act of Baptism, which is a direct display of the belief in Salvation through Jesus, the purpose of human life is presented in terms of adherent’s purpose to lov...
The main debate with the issue of baptism is seen in the way Scripture is translated and interpreted. In regards to who is able to be baptized, the mostly debated age group is whether infants are able to be baptized due to them unable to understand the act or truly have faith. Luther begins this section by attempting to let people know this is not a topic worth the arguments. He states in regards to whether in...
... The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha Revised Standard Version.(1977). New York: Oxford University Press, 1977. Nyberg, Nancy.(November 1997). Personal Interview and survey with Pastor of 1st Congregational Church of Dundee. Poole, W. Michael, D.Min., Th.D.(November 1997). Personal Interview and survey with pastor of Calvary Church of God. Strong, James.(1996). The New STRONG'S Complete Dictionary of Bible Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. Tierney, Michael J.(November 1997). Personal Interview and survey with Priest from Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Parish. Unger, Merrill F.(1967). Unger's Bible handbook. Chicago: Moody Press. Weizsacker, H.I(1958). The Apostolic Age. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. White, R.E.O.(1960). The Biblical Doctrine of Initiation: A Theology of Baptism and Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Christianity stands as one of the most significant, and historically rich and relevant Religions ever to grace the Earth, especially given its status as a highly living and dynamic one, that being that it is a religion that is still very much alive and flourishing, in addition to being ever changing and evolving. (http://www.academia.edu/6386126/the_ways_in_which_the_four_characyeristics_of_religion_interact_to_create_a_dynamic_living_faith_tradition) It is thanks, in no small part to the significant figure of St. Paul of Tarsus and the foundation he laid for Christianity that has endured until today, as well as the message of Salvation through faith he preached. Another critical element of Christianity through the ages up to the current age of modern dynamism is Baptism, mainly how it impacts upon individuals and Christian communities. It is therefore clear that through these key aspects of Christianity, we may gain insight on what exactly contributes towards Christianity being a living and dynamic religion.
“In baptism every Christian has enough to study and to practice all his life. He always has enough to do to believe firmly what Baptism promises and brings – victory over death and the devil, forgiveness of sin, God’s grace, the entire Christ, and the Holy Spirit with his gifts. In short the blessings of Baptism are so boundless that if timid nature considers them, it may well doubt whether they could all be true.”
On one hand, baptism is a sacrament that any human must have because it is a lifelong process of salvation and it is necessary for eternal salvation. Since Adam’s sin, all human is born spiritually death; therefore a newborn in spirit is necessary, in order for humans to have “spiritual eyes open” It will keep the person closest to God, because “open eyes” helps to discriminate good from bad during the person journey in life. Baptism present two parts, an outward and sensible sign, and an inward and spiritual grace implied, but baptism is not sanctification by itself. Furthermore, baptism is the Church’s external affirmation and proclamation of prevenient grace; it is an initiation and incorporation into Christ Holy church. During baptism church as a whole play an active role; first, by welcoming the new member, then after baptism, the church provides the nurture that makes possible a comprehensive and lifelong process of growing in grace. On the other hand Communion celebration by using bread and wine is a remembrance of Jesus death, and resurrection and the waiting until He comes again. The way in which bread and wine is converting into Jesus’s body and blood is a mystery. When during celebration Jesus says “for you” it connotes expiating and sacrifice meaning to liberates “us” sinners. Participate in communion
A public form of Christian worship is a “Baptism”. A baptism is a rite that a young Christian would go through. In a baptism the child would be totally submerged under the water to try and cleans the soul. Another form of baptism includes pouring water three times on the forehead. Some Christians believe that a baptism is necessary for salvation. Salvation to Christians is that on the day they die their soul will be saved from the eternal fires of hell and it they will spend eternity in heaven with their lord. Another meaning of the word "baptism" has been used to refer to any ceremony, trial, or experience.
Many Christian denominations practice the tradition of baptism. However, many denominations differ widely on the meaning and significance of the sacrament or ordinance of baptism. Baptism in the Old Testament is used as a symbol of a believer’s devotion to God by washing with water as a sign of purification and consecration. There are many different meanings and techniques to baptism that have been observed by many faiths over thousands of years. Many of the customs and b...
In the Christian faith, Confirmation, is a special sacrament that proves that a person wishes to “strengthen or deepen one’s relationship with God.” When a baby is baptized in the Christian faith, his or her guardians agree to raise them and guide them through life following Jesus’ example. “We became members of Christ's Body when we were baptized (Luebering).” Since the child is not old enough to understand the responsibility that being a follower of Christ entails, Confirmation is needed. When a child reaches a mature age of approximately 14, he or she, is invited to continue to accept Jesus and follow in his teachings. If the child wishes to continue to follow Jesus’ teachings and become a more mature member of the church, he or she must go through Confirmation and accept the responsibility of being a consenting and practicing Christian (Confirmation).
Baptism, one of the most prevalent signs of Christian faith, has, for a long time, been a highly debated topic within the community of the body of believers. There are many different ideas surrounding the different practices and views of baptism, even the reason of why we carry out the act of baptism. Just as the idea of a marriage ceremony is to profess your love and commitment to each other, a baptism ceremony has the same effect, but instead your commitment is to Christ. This essay will take a look at this topic, the philosophical ideas surrounding it, how the Bible address it, and also the historical context in which this theological topic falls into.
By being baptized as an adult they are publicly showing that they love God, have repented for their sins and understand what being a Christian means. They are allowing grace. of God to enter their lives which means that they are prepared to give. up everything and put religion and God first.
In the Christian faith there are many beliefs and acts for the baptized Catholic to follow,
...faith in the God who creates the world, people will always fail to grasp the idea behind the Catholic Vision and Imagination. Furthermore, although God remains always present in the midst of His flock, one can easily lose the awareness and consciousness of this Presence that accompany all human being. When people forget what is to be a Church, that community that is to be formed and lived is also lost. However, there remains the tradition, images, and architecture that speaks and transmits a voice beyond themselves that definitely calls people to relate their desires for depth and truth to the living God.
Baptism as a rite of initiation welcomes the individual into the Christian tradition and links the individual, community and divine. However, not all Christians identify with the physical nature of the rite. Quakers believe that the whole of life is sacramental. To be a member of Christ 's body involves no outward rite, it requires instead an inward transformation of one 's whole life. While other denominations have differences involving the rituals used and the age of the initiate.
Baptism is an important part of my life as a Catholic. It is frees me of original sin and it is part of the initiation in the Catholic Church. Baptism is important because it allows us to go to enter the kingdom of God. Even though I can’t remember my baptism, I learn more about it in my religion class at school. I learn its lasting affect and what it means to us as Catholics. It inspires me to learn more and to appreciate our faith more. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19