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Belonging

Significant practices in the life of adherents

Baptism – Christianity

Baptism is the most significant rite of initiation for Christians by which a person is welcomed into the Christian community. It is the term most commonly applied to a religious act of purification by water and is practiced in various religious traditions. Through it a person becomes a member of the Christian Church.

(Jesus said) “The one who believes and is baptised will be saved” Mark 16:16

Most Christian Churches believe that baptism was instituted by Christ himself and is necessary for salvation in Christ. Through baptism the believer becomes a child of God, and obtains forgiveness of sin.

Baptism is a significant Christian practice In mainstream variants such as the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist, baptism is a sacrament. In others, such as the Baptist, Pentecostal and Seventh Day Adventist, baptism is a symbolic ceremony. In all, three things are common:
1. essential elements
2. timing
3. celebrant.
Essential Elements
Two essential elements required for baptism.
1. Water has to be used as the means by which baptism is conferred.
The word, baptism, comes from the Greek word, baptizein, meaning to 'plunge' or 'immerse'. Variations occur in how water is applied in baptism, as shown in the following table.
Method of Applying Water
Denomination
Submersion
Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostals
Immersion
Latter Day Saints, Orthodox Christians
Pouring
Roman Catholics
Pouring, immersion or submersion
Anglicans, Anabaptists
Sprinkling, pouring or immersion
Lutherans, Methodists
Sprinkling, pouring, immersion or submersion
Presbyterians

2) This is to follow Jesus' instructions to his disciples.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
- Matthew 28:19
Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and Uniting churches baptise using the

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