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
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.
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.