Baptism Essay -- essays research papers fc

Baptismis the door to life and to the kingdom of God. Baptism in Christian churches,the universal ordinance of initiation, performed with water, usually in the nameof the Trinity or in the name of Christ. Orthodox and Baptist churches requirebaptism by total immersion. In other churches, pouring and sparge are morecommon. Most churches regard baptism as a eucharist, or sign of grace someregard it simply as an ordinance, or rite, commanded by Christ. Therefore,Baptism is the sacrament of faith by which we, enlightened by the Spiritsgrace, respond to the Gospel of Christ.Scriptural BasisJesus was baptizedby John at the beginning of his public ministry. Although it is uncertainthat Jesus himself baptized, the risen Christ commanded his disciples to preachto and baptize the nations as the sign of Gods coming rule. Thus, from theoutset, baptism became the Christian rite of initiation. Purpose and SymbolsThepurpose of this sacrament is to purify your soul and to destroy all evil. That is one of the main reasons why water is used for a symbol. water supply is bothdestructive and creative which matches baptism. Water was used as a symbolof purification in many religions at a very early date. Other symbols of baptisminclude oil, a snow-white cloth, and a candle. People able to receive BaptismInfantswere probably baptized in the early church. Baptism was often postponed aslong as possible. Between the 4th and sixth centuries, however, infant baptismbegan to be required...