Christian Formation on Baptism Part 1



Baptism

What is it?
1.    Outline of Faith:
·      Sacrament (Book of Common Prayer (BCP) pg. 857): “Outward and Visible sign of inward and spiritual grace”
·      Baptism itself (BCP 858): how we are made God’s children and “members of Christ’s Body”
2.    Concerning the Service (BCP 298):
·      “full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church”

What do we gain from this?
·      Baptism is mainly how we join the church universal
o   Turning away from old life is part of this

Elements of Baptism
1.    Trinitarian Formula
·      Comes from Matthew 28:19
·      Marks the Faith we are being baptized into
·      Part of the family of God in God’s fullness
2.    Water
·      Traces back to Jewish Initiation Rites
·      John the Baptist- Baptism of repentance comes from Jewish Initiation
So:
Jewish Initiation -> John the Baptist -> Christian Baptism

Symbolism of the Water
·      Baptism literally means “dip”
·      Context of John the Baptist- Washing, Purification
·      Drowning (Romans 6:3-11)

Helpful Stories
·      Eustice in C.S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
·      O Brother Where Art Thou?
·       Black Panther

The Episcopal Church’s thoughts
1.    Believer vs. Infant Baptism
·      Diff. b/w Baptism of those old enough to profess faith and those not
·      Both accepted by Episcopal Church (though BCP leans to Believer’s)
2.    Accepts all Baptism with Trinitarian Formula, regardless Denomination
3.    Baptism is once and for all (BCP 298)
·      Story of the Prodigal Son: Luke 15:11-32
·      Do continue to renew Baptism through the Eucharist
·      Thus, Reaffirmation and Reception not the same thing

Further Reading (In order of recommendation)
·       Holy Scripture
o   Get a Good Bible with Helpful notes.
o   NRSV used in church. RSV is more accurate.
·       The Book of Common Prayer. New York: Church Publishing, 1979.
·       Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry. Geneva: World Council of Churches, 2007.
o   Great Ecumenical source on the subjects in the title, free online.
·       Mitchell, Leonel. Praying Shapes Believing: A Theological Commentary on The Book of Common Prayer. Harrisburg: Moorehouse Publishing, 1985.
o   Great easy to read commentary on the thoughts behind the BCP.
·       Hatchett, Marion. Commentary on the American Prayer Book. New York: Seabury Press, 1980.
o   All the liturgical history behind the BCP you could ever want to know and more.