Baptism and Christening

The white garment is used as a symbolic gesture to confirm and demonstrate a spiritual truth. The priest tells the baptized to "receive this white garment" as a symbol of the purity now in the soul of the newly baptized and to always wear it, i.e. to refrain from sin.

The lighted candle is a sign of the Holy Spirit.

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 19941243 The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has "put on Christ," (Cf. Rite of Baptism of Children 62) has risen with Christ. The candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ has enlightened the neophyte. In him the baptized are "the light of the world." (Mt 5:14; cf. Phil 2:15)

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. " Acts 16:31-33

Also, there were household baptisms.

"And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us." Acts 16:15

Answer:

Any "advantage" of a Christian teaching must consist in it being taught by the Bible. Covenant theologians maintain that infant baptism is taught in the Scriptures, even though it is taught indirectly just as the Trinity is. Readers are invited to join in a dialogue on this topic at:

http://dialogos-studies.com/Dialogos/baptism/infant_baptism.htm

Your input would be appreciated.

Are you asking for a date or just when in the bible? I believe it talks about Christ's baptism in Matthew Chapter 3.

In the last chapter of Matthew Jesus gives His disciples the "great commission". He tells them to make disciples and baptize them. This is where Jesus specifically says to baptize. Notice also that baptism is a believers baptism not the baptism of infants. A disciple is a person who has been trained/taught

Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Unlike some protestant faiths, the Catholic Faith believes that Baptism is not just a way to join the Church, it is a Sacrament. Baptism changes you permanently by making you a child of God. The Church will not baptize you unless you are ready to believe what the Church teaches, and you have to be taught what those teachings are first.

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(all of the explanations below are extracted from The Catechism, Modern Catholic Dictionary by John Hardon, S.J., and A Catholic Dictionary by Donald Attwater)

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The Cross: The cross was primarily an instrument of torture, it was on the Cross that Our Blessed Savior suffered and died to our redemption. It stands for whatever pain or endurance a Christian willing accepts and undergoes in order to be joined with Christ and co-operate in the salvation of souls. As Our Blessed Lord, Himself said, "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me" (from St. Matthew's Gospel 16:24). It is thus both a sign of our salvation and a sign of our future life, if we are to be a follower of Our Blessed Lord.

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Oil of Catechumens: It signifies that one is preparing for baptism.

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Water: A symbol of exterior and interior purity (obviously of cleansing or washing). The triple immersion or pouring is for the Trinity.

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Sacred Chrism: Sacred Chrism signifies the fullness and diffusion of grace: in other words, it signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one "anointed" by the Holy Spirit and incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king. (Cf. Rite of Baptism of Children 62).

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White garment: signifies the white robe which was formerly worn by the newly baptized ever day of the Easter Octave. It has always signified that the new baptized was a new creature in Christ, freshly washed, and without sin.

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Candle: Candles, light, have been used since the days of the catacombs. They are an emblem of God, the giver of life, and enlightment. Being pure, they represent Christ's spotless body, the flame a figure of the Divine Nature. And the newly baptized must now carry this living light of Our Lord throughout his life out into the world.