Expressions of religious identity

Question 1

significance of baptism

Answer 1

baptise means ‘to dip’
initiation into faith marked by pouring water over head or total immersion
anglican catholic methodist : infant baptism
baptist pentecost; believers baptism
quakers salvation; no baptism or outward symbols or rituals. think christian is living christian life

Question 2

biblical background

Answer 2

immersed in water was and still is used in judaism as cleansing from religious impurity
john the baptist was baptising people in preparation for the coming of the messiah
jc himself baptised and experienced a vision after
JC saw it as a powerful symbol of spiritual rebirth and as a sign of entry into the kingdom of heaven

after resurrection; instructed disciples to baptise converts thus became important rite of initiation

Question 3

paedobaptism catholic church

Answer 3

sacarment:effects real inner change in the baptised persons soul
doen for following reasons:
cleanses child of original sin (in order to enter heaven)
water used is a symbol of gods grace
enables holy spirit to begin work of transformation in the childs life
child becomes member of christianity and of the kingdom of heaven
first rite of initiation, opening up other 2 rites holy communion and confirmation

Question 4

sacrament of baptism:

Answer 4

anointing of the child, pouring of water and the words accompanying the pouring of water
matter in baptism is the use of two blessed oils and blessed water
intention in baptism is the intention of the priest to baptise the child

Question 5

key rituals:

Answer 5

eg signing cross on childs has by priest parent or godparent
sign child belongs to christ

anointing child with oil of the chrism
seals the child as a member of the body of christ and as a sign that the child is chosen for a special task; symbol for holy spirit

Question 6

credo baptism baptist church

Answer 6

ordinance matthew 28:19

those being baptised give a public testimony to their faith
declare repentance of sin and acceptance of saviour christ
totally immersed in poole ‘i baptise you in the name of the father, and of the son and of the holy spirit
rejoin congregation as full member

Question 7

rejection of pedobaptism

Answer 7

no NT evidence for it
jc baptised as an adult
no such thing as original sin therefore nothing to remove
gods grace available to all not just tied to baptism
baptism is a statement of faith, babies can’t talk or understand the commitment

Question 8

for infant baptism:

Answer 8

sacrament that is entirely a gift of god so even babies can recieve it

baptism is a sacred mystery, ways it works cannot be understood

baptism removes original sin and gives gift of eternal life so babies should receive it

JC welcomed children thus supporting infant baptism

NT whole households were baptised

Question 9

against infant baptism:

Answer 9

baptism is ordinance based on command of JC

baptism is just a symbol of the believers desire to start a new life as a christian, only adults and teenagers can understand the commitment

baptists reject the idea of the doctrine of original sin therefore nothing to be cleansed f right away

jesus did not baptise children

household baptism refers to all adults and slaves

Question 10

mark 10:14-17

Answer 10

“let the little children come to me and do not hinder them”

Question 11

holy communion names:

Answer 11

holy refers to the sacred nature of the consecrated bread and wine
communion means fellowship, those sharing the meal enjoy fellowship with one another and with christ
eucharist means thanksgiving, at this celebration christians thank god for creating the world and for sending his son jesus christ as their saviour
mass comes from latin ‘go you are sent out’ Ite, missa est reminder to catholics that its fortified with he body and blood of christ
lords supper links to idea of the last supper
divine liturgy; orthodox church ‘holy work’

Question 12

catholic church holy communion (mass)

Answer 12

eucharist pryer bread and wine are consecrasted
ritual actions performed as the account of the last supper is repeated
lords prayer
sharing of the peace (ie shaking hands)
breaking of the bread
go to priest to receive communion
receive break but not always wine
priest consumes any remaining consecrated elements
ends with blessing from priest ‘go forth, the mass has ended’

Question 13

importance of mass:

Answer 13

transubstantiation :
physical appearance, taste and smell remains unchanged they’re substance is changed and they become bread and body of christ
christ really is present

sacrament:
receiving god into their bodies 
spiritual feeling makes a real change 
united with christ and one another 
foretaste of the heavenly kingdom of god 

three aspects:
form:ritual action and words of the consecration
matter:breads and wine
Intention: intention of priest to celebrate mass

reenactment of the sacrifice of christ:
fraction sympolises breaking of JC body on the cross
sharing peace is a sign on unity
end of mass catholics return to community and share the love and actions of christ

Question 14

holy communion baptist church

practices

Answer 14

readings from bible and sermon
holy table prepared with bread and individual wine or grape juice
minister reads of 1 corinthians
people pass around break and wine, serving one another
even children may receive for ‘those who love lord jesus’

Question 15

importance:

Answer 15

ordinance: ‘do this in remembrance of me’
memorial of last supper and of jc saving death
no spiritual change
main value to bring community together and to remember what jesus did

Question 16

last supper:

Answer 16

originated from passover meal that JC ate night before crucifixion
passover= annual celebration of exodus and escape of moses and israelites from egypt red sea etc

last supper JC gave the bread and wine with a new significance linked to his body:wine blood bread flesh
change in symbolism was a sign of the new covenant to be establish by JC’s saving death
several references in NT, established into practice within 20 years after his death

Question 17

significance of repeating js words and actions at last supper

Answer 17

RC:
highly symbolic
JC referred to as the Paschal (passover) lamb; his death on the cross was sacrifice for humanity sin
holy community celebrates deliverance from slavery but slavery of sin not actual slavery
JC death, as celebrated through communion achieved reconciliation between god and humanity

baptist:
simple meal to remember what JC said and did, symbolism not important

Question 18

Luke 22:19-20

Answer 18

…‘this is my body given for you, do this in remeberence of me…’

Question 19

mission as evangelism

early church

Answer 19

early church:
evangelism carried out by JC disciples
eg Thomas set up christian church in india and other converts eg merchants spread word

Question 20

evangelism in the 19th century

Answer 20

spread of evangelism through colonies
eg colonies in africa and asia and americas
19th century britain: number of societies who sent out trained missionaries to colonies to convert locals
learnt language lived among them and offered health and schooling

Question 21

evangelism in modern day

Answer 21

less focus on conversion and more on supporting local christian communities through outreach programmes
as time went on less connection with church
thus alpha course ( meal for non church goers to talk and discuss faith) and fresh expression movement (alternative forms of church where church goes to them pubs etc) were established

Question 22

mission to poor and disadvantaged

early church

Answer 22

noted for caring for those in need

eg famine in jerusalem and increased food prices, christians of antioch in syria sent money

Question 23

mission for poor etc 19th century

Answer 23

charity schools set up for the poor, financed by wealthy christians

Church of englands children society formed to provide homes with a loving family environment for homeless children still provides care

Question 24

1980’s:

Answer 24

set up church urban fund to address considerable poverty identified in many towns and cities

• working in local communities to deal with particular issues
• addressing hate and prejudice by encouraging community cohesion and providing a safe place
• setting up community based responses and financial services to address distress caused by unmanagable debt

Question 25

1990’s to present:

Answer 25

street pastors: helping teens who go out and drink a lot

society of st vincent de paul: RC organisation operating in churches, school and universities that sees itself as fulfilling JC command in parable of sheep and goats
eg repairing and distributing donated furniture, proving debt advice, counselling teaching literacy and numeracy, funding holidays for disadvantaged families

CAFOD: rc aid organisation
work through partnerships with churches and other reliable organisations in countries where help is needed
provide emergency and long term development aid
campaign for global justice