Expressions of religious identity Flashcards
significance of baptism
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
biblical background
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
paedobaptism catholic church
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
sacrament of baptism:
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
key rituals:
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
credo baptism baptist church
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
rejection of pedobaptism
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
for infant baptism:
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
against infant baptism:
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
mark 10:14-17
“let the little children come to me and do not hinder them”
holy communion names:
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’
catholic church holy communion (mass)
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’
importance of mass:
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
holy communion baptist church
practices
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’
importance:
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
last supper:
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
significance of repeating js words and actions at last supper
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
Luke 22:19-20
…‘this is my body given for you, do this in remeberence of me…’
mission as evangelism
early church
early church:
evangelism carried out by JC disciples
eg Thomas set up christian church in india and other converts eg merchants spread word
evangelism in the 19th century
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
evangelism in modern day
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
mission to poor and disadvantaged
early church
noted for caring for those in need
eg famine in jerusalem and increased food prices, christians of antioch in syria sent money
mission for poor etc 19th century
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
1980’s:
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
1990’s to present:
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
