Child Abuse

BAPTISM

In Christainity, baptism from Greek work meaning baptizo: "immersing", is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted as a full member of the Christain Church and, in the view of some, as a member of the particular Church in which the baptism is administered. Some Christians, particularly Quakers and the Salvation Army, do not see baptism as necessary. Among those that do, differences can be found in the manner of baptizing and in the understanding of the significance of the rite. Most baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit", but some baptize in Jesus' name only. Most baptize infants, others do not. Some insist on submersion or at least partial immersion of the person who is baptized, others consider that any form of washing by water is sufficient. According to the New Testament Baptism is a Christain sacrament signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth.

Christianity developed a dual understanding of the nature of baptism: spiritual and physical. A physical baptism occurs when water is used to ritually purify a person, symbolizing the cleansing nature of their conversion to Christianity. In the book of Acts, however, this is supposed to be followed by receiving the Holy Spirit, which represents a spiritual baptism performed by God. Some passages in Acts makes it clear that these two stages are distinct and separate. In Christian baptism, there are two requirements before a person is baptized. They must have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior, and must understand what baptism signifies. If a person knows the Lord Jesus as Savior, understands that Christian baptism is a step of obedience in publicly proclaiming his faith in Christ, and desires to be baptized – then there is no reason to prevent the believer from being baptized. According to the Bible, Christian baptism is simply a step of obedience, a public proclamation of one’s faith in Christ alone for salvation. Being Baptized...