Baptism & The Sacraments

Question 1

Sacraments

Answer 1

Holy rituals that outwardly express an inner, spiritual experience, believers receive a special gift of grace

Question 2

Quaker & The Salvation Army

Answer 2

Do not use sacraments - belief that sacraments are an inward experience, no need for outward expression

Question 3

Catholic & Orthodox

Answer 3

Seven sacraments initiated by Jesus: baptism, confirmation, Holy Communion, marriage, Holy Orders, reconciliation & anointing of the sick

Question 4

Protestant

Answer 4

Holy Communion and baptism (only 2 documented in Gospels as being practiced by Jesus)

Question 5

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1210

Answer 5

“The seven sacraments touch all stages and all important moments of Christian life.”

Question 6

Beliefs about Sacraments

Answer 6

Strengthen relationship with God, incorporating God into life through milestones, affirm that Christians are part of the Body of Christ (Church & responsibilities), made holy

Question 7

Baptism

Answer 7

Initiation rite to become member of a Christian Church, formal acknowledgement as a child of God, receives God’s saving grace, forgiveness of sins, enters new life with Jesus, opportunity to publicly claim faith, follows example of Jesus baptised by John the Baptist

Question 8

Jesus was baptised

Answer 8

Matthew 3:16

Question 9

Mark 1:9-11

Answer 9

After Jesus’ baptism, “he saw Heaven torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove” and heard God’s voice informing him that he was “well pleased”. Sets example to followers to be baptised & receive Holy Spirit.

Question 10

“make disciples of all nations, baptising them” - Jesus

Answer 10

Matthew 28:19

Question 11

John 3:5

Answer 11

“no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”

Question 12

Jesus Baptised

Answer 12

By John the Baptist (first Jew to use baptism, symbolic of forgiveness of sin) at the Jordan River

Question 13

Meaning of Baptism (Catholic & Orthodox)

Answer 13

Shared guilt of descendants of Adam & Eve (original sin), baptism cleanses babies (tendency to sin, needs salvation) of original sin, follows example of Jesus

Question 14

Churches Practicing Infant Baptism

Answer 14

Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist, United Reformed

Question 15

Symbolism

Answer 15

Orthodox: total immersion, pouring blessed water on head of baby, make sign of cross on forehead, anoint with oil, baby wears white, parents given candle lit from Paschal candle (symbolises light of Christ)

Question 16

Paschal candle

Answer 16

large candle blessed and lit every Easter

Question 17

Rites (Infant)

Answer 17

“I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”

Question 18

Parents

Answer 18

Child welcomed into Church as soon as possible, parents able to thank God for new baby, celebrate birth w loved ones, promises made by godparents on behalf of child to reject evil

Question 19

Confirmation Ceremonies

Answer 19

Ceremony in early teens/adulthood, opportunity for infant baptism kids to publically claim faith, restate original promises

Question 20

Believer’s Baptism

Answer 20

Baptist & Pentecostal (baby too young to understand meaning), adults able to make mature decisions about faith, baptism does not save a person without conversion to living sacred lifestyle, full immersion in pool 3 times (rising up to new life w/ Christ, cleansing from sin)

Question 21

Rites (Believer’s Baptism)

Answer 21

Minister goes into pool & baptises in name of father, son, hg, Bible passage reading, testimony of faith in Jesus as personal saviour, minister talks of importance of baptism

Question 22

Jesus & Baptism

Answer 22

The first Christians & Jesus often baptised as adults (whole families baptised at same time)