Rites of Passage
Birth and Infant Baptism in Christianity.
Infant Baptism
Purpose:
-Child is welcomed as a member of the church
-Child receiving God's grace and given the chance to live a new life, free from sin.
-Opportunity for parents and godparents to express intention to bring up child in the Christian faith.
Key Features
-Priest takes the child and splashes water from the font (baptismal bowl) on the child's head and says 'I baptise you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.'
-Priest then signs a cross on the child's forehead, 'I sign you with the cross of Christ'.
-Congregation promises to support the child in the faith.
-A lit candle is given to the parents as a symbol of the child passing from darkness into light.
-Appropriate hymns, sermon (about the meaning of Baptism) and prayers are made for the child.
A video of Infant Baptism
Variations of Infant Baptism
-The BAPTIST Church and OTHERS have a service of Dedication to thank God for the child and dedicate the child to God. They believe baptism should take place when a person is older. SALVATION ARMY and QUAKERS do not baptise as they don't believe it is necessary to receive salvation or communicate with God.