Expressions of religious identity

Question 1

What do Catholics believe about baptism?

Answer 1

• It is a sacrament
• The simple act makes a profound and irreversible change to the person’s spiritual existence
• Strong element of mystery and symbolism
• Believe that all humans are born with sin from the Fall, the only way to free them from that is through baptism
• This is why they practise infant baptism
• They also baptise new adult Roman Catholics

Question 2

What do Baptists believe about baptism?

Answer 2

• Don’t believe in sacraments and therefore symbols are not necessary
• Don’t believe in original sin
• They see baptism as a ceremony of commitment and understanding so they have believer’s baptisms
• You have to have an understanding of the faith in order to be baptised

Question 3

What is a quote about baptism?

Answer 3

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit”

Question 4

What do Catholics believe about holy communion?

Answer 4

• Always celebrated by an ordained priest
• Only those who are baptised and have been admitted to communion are allowed to receive the bread and wine
• Believe in transubstantiation- the bread and wine are literally transformed into the body and blood of Christ
• Deeply spiritual action as they are literally receiving Christ in their body

Question 5

What do Baptists believe about holy communion?

Answer 5

• Believe Christians can learn all they need to know from studying the Bible
• Celebrate holy communion because Jesus requested that it was performed to remember him, so they see it as an ordinance (direct instruction)
• Little symbol or ritual involved
• Can be conducted by anyone authorised by the congregation to do so
• No restriction on who can receive holy communion
• Don’t believe in any spiritual or physical change
• Main value is to bring the community together to remember the life and death of Jesus