Baptism
In Christianity, there are various events that a baby/child must
perform. The most important one is called Baptism.
Christians get baptised because it is a symbolic action which you recognize that Jesus had died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.
When a Christian is Baptised, they are being cleansed from their sins and being brought up to a new and refreshed life.
This means that after they are baptised, they are now a believer of Christ and can begin their relationship with God.
When Christians get baptised, the pasteur usually pours water over their forehead. Water is a sign of life but is also a sign of death.
The meaning of this is that when we are baptised, it is like our past life is removed (drowned by water) and our renewed life is raised with water.
Baptism is done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is also the key factor in a Christian baptism.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:19-20
When can you be baptised?
Although Christians get baptised when they are babies (few months old) , it is still possible to be baptised at any time during the person's life.
Who is at the baptism?
- The baby
- Parents
- Godparents
- Friends, family
- Members of the religious community
Steps:
These are the few procedures that will be done during the baptism.
- First the baby would be brought into the church. Usually you would baptise your baby on a Sunday morning.
- The pasteur of the church would then start reading some parts of the bible and say prayers.
- After the prayers and bible readings, the baby is brought on to the baptismal font which is basically a large basin containing holy water (blessed) which the baby would be baptised in.
Then the pasteur will mark the sign of the cross on the baby's forehead with the water.
This shows that the christians are united with Christ.
The pasteur later says:
"Christ claims you for his own."
"Recieve the sign of his cross."
"Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified."
- Holy water
Holy water is poured onto the baby's head.
This is a sign of washing and cleansing and is performed to remove the sins from the baby.
This act also symbolises a new life and a new relationship with God.
- Annointing
Furthermore, the baby's forehead would be annointed with scared chrism oil.
The word "annoint" in Greek is chrió (χρίω) which means "to smear or rub with oil."
The oil resembles power and strength which comes from the Holy spirit.
Or in other words, a sign of the outflow of God's Holy spirit.
There are three holy oils,
- The oil of catechumens (oleum catechumenorum)
- The oil of infirm (oleum infirmorum)
- The oil of holy chrism ( sacrum chrisma)
During this, the pasteur says:
" May God, who has received you by baptism into his Church,
pour upon you the riches of his grace,
that within the company of Christ's pilgrim people
you may daily be renewed by his anointing Spirit,
and come to the inheritance of the saints in glory."
- The welcoming
Later on, the parish will gather together and say words of welcome to accept that the baby is now a member of the Church and the Christian community.
- The candles, white garment, final prayers
After the welcoming, a white garment is worn by the baby and the baptismal candle is given.
The candle resembles the Holy spirit. It is also a symbol that the light of Christ has came into your baby's body.
The white garment means to refrain from any sins.
At the end of the ceremony, the final prayers are said.
In Christianity, there are various events that a baby/child must
perform. The most important one is called Baptism.
Christians get baptised because it is a symbolic action which you recognize that Jesus had died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.
When a Christian is Baptised, they are being cleansed from their sins and being brought up to a new and refreshed life.
This means that after they are baptised, they are now a believer of Christ and can begin their relationship with God.
When Christians get baptised, the pasteur usually pours water over their forehead. Water is a sign of life but is also a sign of death.
The meaning of this is that when we are baptised, it is like our past life is removed (drowned by water) and our renewed life is raised with water.
Baptism is done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is also the key factor in a Christian baptism.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:19-20
When can you be baptised?
Although Christians get baptised when they are babies (few months old) , it is still possible to be baptised at any time during the person's life.
Who is at the baptism?
- The baby
- Parents
- Godparents
- Friends, family
- Members of the religious community
Steps:
These are the few procedures that will be done during the baptism.
- First the baby would be brought into the church. Usually you would baptise your baby on a Sunday morning.
- The pasteur of the church would then start reading some parts of the bible and say prayers.
- After the prayers and bible readings, the baby is brought on to the baptismal font which is basically a large basin containing holy water (blessed) which the baby would be baptised in.
Then the pasteur will mark the sign of the cross on the baby's forehead with the water.
This shows that the christians are united with Christ.
The pasteur later says:
"Christ claims you for his own."
"Recieve the sign of his cross."
"Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified."
- Holy water
Holy water is poured onto the baby's head.
This is a sign of washing and cleansing and is performed to remove the sins from the baby.
This act also symbolises a new life and a new relationship with God.
- Annointing
Furthermore, the baby's forehead would be annointed with scared chrism oil.
The word "annoint" in Greek is chrió (χρίω) which means "to smear or rub with oil."
The oil resembles power and strength which comes from the Holy spirit.
Or in other words, a sign of the outflow of God's Holy spirit.
There are three holy oils,
- The oil of catechumens (oleum catechumenorum)
- The oil of infirm (oleum infirmorum)
- The oil of holy chrism ( sacrum chrisma)
During this, the pasteur says:
" May God, who has received you by baptism into his Church,
pour upon you the riches of his grace,
that within the company of Christ's pilgrim people
you may daily be renewed by his anointing Spirit,
and come to the inheritance of the saints in glory."
- The welcoming
Later on, the parish will gather together and say words of welcome to accept that the baby is now a member of the Church and the Christian community.
- The candles, white garment, final prayers
After the welcoming, a white garment is worn by the baby and the baptismal candle is given.
The candle resembles the Holy spirit. It is also a symbol that the light of Christ has came into your baby's body.
The white garment means to refrain from any sins.
At the end of the ceremony, the final prayers are said.