Baptism
By Catelyn Sandars
What does sacrament mean:
A sacrament is apart of initiation. A sacrament is a Catholic rite, it is also defined as "efficacious signs of grace". A sacrament is a formal religious act conferring a specific on those who receive. The 7 Catholic sacraments are..
1. Baptism
2. Reconciliation
3. Communion/Eucharist
4. Conformation
5. Marriage
6. Holy Orders
7. Anointing of the sick
Baptism
Baptism welcomes and connects us to the family of God, a world-wide community of disciples of all ages and races. During a baptism the whole congregation makes promises to support the one being baptized.
Some discussion of relevant historical background on Baptism:
Baptism was first considered a usual practise in AD 400. There is no explicit reference to baptism in the Old Testament. We were first introduced to Baptism in the new testament through John the Baptist and other relatives of Christ. John the baptist, typically practise by immersion in the Jordan River, its defined as " a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins"
Explanation of the different meaning of Baptism:
-God choose immersion in water because it is a very powerful way of showing us that our sins must be forgiven. Believers realise that they need saving from sin and require God's grace.
- A Christian ceremony in which a small amount of water is placed on a person's head or in which a person's body is briefly placed under water.
-A Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community
-A Christian sacrament signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth; "most churches baptise infants but some insist on adult baptism"
How Baptism is celebrated:
Baptism is usually celebrated but getting the baby to wear a white slik dress for a girl and a boy and by choice a white hat. The extended family might come to the church to watch this amazing day. Usually the parent of the child would pick Godparents for the child. After the church, they might go back to home to celebrate this joyful day. The age for baptism is usually straight after birth as soon as possible.