lesson 6: initiation into christianity

Question 1

baptism

Answer 1

• The two most important people in baptism are Jesus and John the Baptist (a family member and friend of Jesus)
• Baptism is a traditional Jewish tradition, but it has been introduced into Christianity
• The baptism was the beginning of Jesus ministry
• It is the first initiation for Christians.
• Water has been used ritualistically in many (alive & stagnant) world religions: The Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Jewish, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Hindus, Mayans and Aztecs.
• Christian baptism is one of the world’s best-known water rituals and is borrowed from the Jewish faith. Judaism required members to immerse in water before they could be accepted into the community.
• John the Baptist famously baptised Jesus. John taught that those who came to him, repented and confessed their sins during baptism would be morally cleansed. Once cleansed, they were able to accept Jesus Christ.
• St Paul taught that baptism is a “watery grave” in which we bury our former, sinful life and “proclaim faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus”. Baptism was the commencement of a new spiritual life