Preparation For Holy Baptism Christ Church Episcopal Laredo, Texas
"For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free, and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. " 1 st Corinthians 12:13 Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan river. 2
1 - What does the word "baptism " mean? The name " baptism " is derived from the Greek verb - baptizein - which means " to dip, to wash." Baptism is a dipping or washing of something or someone. 2 - What does water symbolize in baptism? Water has played a symbolic role as a sign of purification in all religions. Let s briefly review water symbolism in the Bible. In the Old Testament we find water and the Spirit in the first verse!. Later, Noah s flood and Moses crossing the Red Sea, were interpreted as foreshadowing baptism. Likewise there are laws for purifying by ritual ablutions before worship. The prophets announce an outpouring of water as a symbol of purifying from sin. (Genesis 1:1, 9:8, Exodus 14:21ff, Leviticus 16:4ff, Isaiah 1:15ff) Before the coming of Jesus, the rabbis baptized proselytes, people of pagan origin who were added to the Jewish people. Both male and female converts had to immerse themselves in a special mikvah, or ritual bath as part of becoming Jewish. The baptism of John. This is a unique baptism conferred in the desert whose purpose is to convey repentance and forgiveness of sin. ( Mark 1:4 ). Part of this involved conversion back to God and the confession of sins, and the cleaning is expressed in the rite (Matthew 3:6 ). John 3
insisted on moral purity, but only provided a temporary remedy, the baptism of water, which he thought preparatory to the Messianic baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire (Mat. 3:11 ), which would be the supreme purification. The baptism of Jesus. Jesus, presented himself to receive the baptism of John, subjecting himself to the will of his Father, standing humbly among sinners. He is the Lamb of God who takes upon himself and the sin of the world ( John 1:29,36 ). The baptism of Jesus by John is crowned by the descent of the Holy Spirit and the proclamation by the heavenly Father, of his divine Sonship. It is also the announcement of Pentecost, which is the baptism in the Spirit for the Church (Acts 1:38ff, 11:16 ) and for all who enter it (Eph 5:25-32 ; Titus 3:5 ff). The recognition of Jesus as God s Son announced the adoption of believers as children of God, who could share with Jesus the outpouring gift of the Spirit (Gal. 4:6 ). Christian baptism. Baptism usually involves total immersion (Acts 8:38 ) or, if not possible, at least a pouring or sprinkling water on the head, as evidenced by the Didache 7.3, a book of the early teaching of the apostles. St. Paul in several of his letters speaks and elaborates on the meaning of baptism. For example, he says that immersion in water represents the death and burial of Christ, 4
and that coming out of the water symbolizes the resurrection in union with him. Baptism puts to death our body as an instrument of sin (Rom. 6:6) and engages our body in life to God in Christ ( Rom. 6:11). Baptism is therefore an Easter sacrament, a communion with Christ's Passover. The baptized die to sin and live to God in Christ (Rom. 6:11 ) and begin to live the life of Christ ( Gal. 2: 20). This is a radical transformation. It is the throwing away and death of the old creature and restoration of the new creature. We become part of a New Creation in the image of God. 3 - What is a sacrament? The sacraments are outward and visible signs instituted by Christ to bestow sanctifying grace that God gives us to gain eternal life. Grace is free and is given by God to enlighten our minds and strengthen our wills to do good. 4 - What is the most important sacrament? The sacrament of Baptism. 5 - What is Baptism? It is the sacrament of divine regeneration or new life. 6 - What other effects happen to us in Baptism? God adopts us as his children. We join the spiritual body of Christ, which is the Church. We join the people of God. We become heirs of the kingdom of heaven. We are free from all our past sins. 5
After baptism, we are like a temple, where God dwells. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit live in heart of one who has been baptized and remain with us for ever. 7 - What are the most important external signs of Baptism? Water, with its purification symbolism, and the faithful use of baptizing people by the Trinitarian formula, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:18ff) 8 - What other visible signs are used in this sacrament? Often the baptized are marked with the sign of the cross on the forehead with Chrism, oil consecrated by the bishop. This symbolizes that the baptized is anointed as a priest, prophet, and king in imitation of Christ. White clothes or white robes mean that the baptized have put on Christ. A candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ has enlightened the baptized, and reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world. 9 -. What is necessary to be baptized or baptize a child? It is necessary to : renounce Satan repent of sins. accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. make a " Baptismal Covenant " or promises. 6
profess faith in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and in the Church. study the teaching of the Church, and attend the Eucharist, and pray regularly. resist evil and repent when we fall into sin. proclaim the gospel in word and deed. serve Christ in all persons. fight for justice and peace among all peoples. These are promises we should repeat so we don t forget our Christian commitment. 10 -. How can a child do all that? Through baptism we are baptized into a Christian family which is the Church, the mystical body of Christ, in the name of Christ and the Church. Parents and godparents promise to raise the child in the faith they profess. If these people fail in their commitment, the whole Church must respond to this obligation. This is implicit in the question asked the congregation: " Will you who witness these vows do all that you can to support these persons in their new life in Christ?". 11 -. Who can baptize? The appropriate minister is the bishop, and in his absence, any priest. In case of a shortage of priests, with permission of the bishop, a deacon may baptize. And, in an emergency, anyone can baptize, pouring water 7
on the head and saying the Trinitarian formula, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.) 12 -. Which are the most appropriate days for baptism? The most suitable days for baptism are: the Easter Vigil and Easter Day, Pentecost, the Feast of All Saints, the Baptism of the Lord. When demand is high enough it can happen monthly. Baptism should be on a Sunday except for very special circumstances and whenever possible take place during the main services attended by the regular congregation. 13 -. What are bad reasons to baptize a person? Some people use baptism as magic. They think that they just have to baptize and that the promises and commitments made before God do not matter. Some people use baptism as a social ritual to please their parents and grandparents, but they have no desire to fulfill the promises. There are also people who do so because of an obligation to Godparents. They don t want to carry out the promises they make to serve God and the Church, but want to have keep the relationship with friends and godparents. It is best not to baptize a child if you are not prepared to carry out the sacred promises you will make. 8
QUESTIONS AND NOTES 1 - What does the word "baptism " mean? 2 - What does water symbolize in baptism? 3 - What is a sacrament? 4 - What is the most important sacrament? 5 - What is Baptism? 6 - What other effects produced in us Baptism? 7 - What are the most important external signs of Baptism? 8 - What other visible signs are used in this sacrament? 9
9 - What is necessary to be baptized or baptize a child? 10 -. How can a child do all that? 11 -. Who can baptize? 12 -. Which are the most days for baptism? 13 -. What are bad reasons to baptize a person? Old Testament Genesis 1:1ff In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 9:8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you every living creature on earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. 10
Exodus 14: 21ff Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. Leviticus 16:3ff This is how Aaron is to enter the Most Holy Place: He must first bring a young bull for a sin offering a] and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on. Isaiah 1:15 ff 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! 16 Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight, stop doing wrong. 17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. 18 Come now, let us settle the matter, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. New Testament Mark 1:4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 3:6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 11
John 1:36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, Look, the Lamb of God! Acts 2:38ff Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off for all whom the Lord our God will call. Acts 11:16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18ff Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Titus 3:5ff he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Galatians 4:6ffBecause you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, Abba, Father. 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Acts 8:36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized? [37]** 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 12
**Acts 8:37 Some manuscripts include here Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. The eunuch answered, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Romans 6:3ff Or don t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me Matthew 28:18ff Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Extra Biblical Didache, Section 7. But concerning baptism, thus shall ye baptize. Having first recited all these things, baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in living (running) water. 2 But if thou hast not living water, then baptize in other water; and if thou art not able in cold, then in warm. 3 But if thou hast neither, 13
then pour water on the head thrice in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 4 But before the baptism let him that baptizeth and him that is baptized fast, and any others also who are able; and thou shalt order him that is baptized to fast a day or two before. Note: The Didache, which means teaching, is an ancient Christian document dating from between 80 and 200 A.D. Much of what Christians have historically practiced regarding baptism, fasting, and other practices seems to have been recorded in this document. Many early churches had is as part of their bible. 14
This booklet belongs to: Phone number: Time and place of classes is: Classes start on: Last class is on: Date and time of Rehearsal: Date and time of Baptism: Other notes: Bible verses are from the New International Version This booklet was written by Father Isaías A. Rodríguez. Translated and edited by Father Paul Frey. 15
Christ Church Episcopal 2320 Lane Street, Laredo, TX 78043 Office Phone: (956)723-5714 Office Fax: (956)723-1846 Office E-Mail: cclaredo@bizlaredo.rr.com Church Website: www.cclaredo.com 16