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Baptism is the representation of Jesus dying on the cross, being laid into the tomb, and rising on the third day. It is a ceremony that one does to have their sins washed away.

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Catholic AnswerParaphrased from the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit. Baptism really frees you completely from Original Sin and all actual sin committed up until then, and you are reborn as a son of God. You are made a member of Christ and incorporated into His Christ. "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word." Roman Catechism II, 2, 5; cf. Council of Florence: Denzinger-Schonmetzer, Enchiridion Symbolorum, definitionum et declarationum de rebus fidei et morum (1965).
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10y ago
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13y ago

If you believe in the Christian faith you believe in baptism. You believe that people are born with sins, because no one is perfect. You also believe that Jesus died for these sins so that you have a shot of getting into heaven. Baptism is when they fully submerge you in water to symbolize the old sinful you dying and the new child of god being born. that and it says so in The Bible.

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14y ago

It's a proclamation of faith. You get to share your story/faith/experience/whats up. God wants believers to do this but it's no key to heaven. It's an act of obediance but not a required one to have a relationship with Him and get to heaven.

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11y ago

Tricky wording here. Baptism is required for salvation. HOWEVER, that does not mean you must be baptized with water. Let's say you are in the process of becoming Catholic, and have not been baptized yet. You get in a car accident, and die. Do you go to Hell? We here on Earth do not know the actual answer to that, because, well... we haven't been there. But God does not have to abide by the rules he set out for us. You have the desire, but did not get baptized by water, but rather by desire. If you had abstained from sin, were on your way towards baptism, then God, who is full of love and mercy, understands.

Long story short, baptism is necessary for salvation, but God is Love, and His Mercy outweighs his demands.

Roman Catholic AnswerIndeed, baptism is necessary, and there is both baptism by desire (as noted above) and baptism by blood (the martyrs that died for their faith before receiving water baptism) as well as regular baptism with water. And, indeed, we are bound to God's laws - which He made for our good, but He is not bound by them. As far as we are concerned, baptism is always necessary and it should be a top priority and not let go until someone is older. Everyone should have learned how to perform an emergency baptism in the event that someone is dying by pouring water on their head while saying, "I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." God is indeed mercy and Love, but He is Justice as well, and He cannot be unjust if someone neglects His Commands.
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14y ago

My understanding of the purpose of baptism is how God has ordained that a penitent believer in Jesus Christ can obtain forgiveness of their sins and then receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter, the one whom was given the keys to the Kingdom by Jesus, spoke on the day of Pentecost and as recorded in Acts 2:38 said that they should "repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins..". The important word in this sentence was the word eis in the original language. On page 55 in the book entitled "Baptism - A Biblical Study" by Jack Cottrell (published by College Press Publishing Company) the discussion of the word eis shows that eis meant "direction or motion toward something". Given that the day of Pentecost was the day the New Testament Church was established and with an understanding of other passages such as 1 Peter 3:21, Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 22:16, the conclusion must be that baptism is the God ordained way to become a Christian.

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10y ago

To show your love towards God. It is a sacrament of initiation that brings us closer to God. You receive the sacrament once. Its purpose is to bring us new life in Christ.

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Q: What do baptists believe baptism is for?
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What christian denomination practices adult baptism?

Baptists


Who do Baptists baptise?

Baptists believe in baptism, but only for adults. They also don't believe that baptism saves -- they say that baptism is symbolic of the commitment a person has made to God (and therefore Christ) to follow Him. Therefore, since they believe that only adults can make such a commitment, they do not allow babies or young children to be baptized and require adults who convert from other churches to be rebaptized (or baptized for real, from their point of view). You should understand that while Catholics, Lutherans, and other sacramental Christians view baptism as part of God's grace, Baptists view baptism as a work of faith. Since they view baptism as a work, it therefore cannot save, despite the words of Jesus (Mark 16:16) and St. Peter (I Peter 3:21). Finally, Baptists believe that infants cannot have faith until their minds are developed to understand the teachings of Scripture, despite the words of Jesus (Mark 9:42). Therefore, they teach that children are saved apart from faith (the actual mechanism is disputed) until they are capable of faith.


What has the author John T Christian written?

John T. Christian has written: 'Did they dip?' -- subject(s): Doctrines, Baptism, Baptists 'A history of the Baptists of Louisiana' -- subject(s): Baptists 'Close Communion or, Baptism as a Prerequisite, etc' 'Baptist history vindicated' -- subject(s): Baptists, History '\\' -- subject(s): Controversial literature, Lord's Supper, Baptists, Close and open communion 'A history of the Baptists' -- subject(s): Baptists, History


What has the author G H Orchard written?

G. H. Orchard has written: 'A concise history of Baptists' -- subject(s): History, Baptism, Baptists


What is the difference between baptism and sprinkling?

In Christian denominations, baptism is a symbol of being completely cleansed. There are two main methods: full immersion, and the pouring water on the head. A number of denominations practice full immersion baptism (LDS, Baptists), where the whole body is briefly immersed in water. Sprinkling is the term given to the mode of pouring by those who do not believe that it is a legitimate baptism.


What has the author I D Stewart written?

I. D. Stewart has written: 'The history of the Freewill Baptists, for half a century' -- subject(s): Doctrines, Free Will Baptists (1780?-1911), Baptism, Baptists, History 'The history of the Freewill Baptists for half a century' -- subject(s): Free Baptists, Free Will Baptists (Founded in New Hampshire), History


What has the author Archibald M'Lean written?

Archibald M'Lean has written: 'The commission given by Jesus Christ to his apostles, illustrated' -- subject(s): Doctrines, Baptism, Baptists 'The commission given by Jesus Christ to his apostles illustrated' -- subject(s): Doctrines, Early works to 1800, Baptism, Baptists 'Letters addressed to Mr. John Glas in answer to his dissertation on Infant Baptism' -- subject(s): Controversial literature, Early works to 1800, Infant baptism 'The commission given by Jesus Christ to his apostles illustrated' -- subject(s): Doctrines, Baptists, Baptism, Sermons


What is the Pentecostal attitude toward the sacraments?

Baptists take communion and are baptized upon confession of faith. Those are the only two that Baptists use.


Do baptists believe in the angels?

Ya they do.


Does a Protestant church have baptism pools?

Yes. The Baptists have a tub for immersion. Churches that only sprinkle have fonts of water.


What do Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Baptists don't?

Jehovah's Witnesses reject the Holy Trinity, whereas Baptists do not.


What comes first belief or baptism?

It depends on your branch of Christianity. The Roman Catholics, for example, baptize children as an infant so they have no choice but to be Christian. Other branches, such as the Baptists, let the child choose to believe before they baptize.