Baptism: Gr. 6 - Gr. 8

Lesson Objectives: 

• Purpose of Baptism
• Why Baptism is Important
• Baptism and Salvation
• Symbols of Baptism in the Bible
• The Sacrament of Baptism
• The Baptism Ceremony Steps
• After Baptism

Purpose of Baptism

1. Cleansing from Sin
   Baptism helps cleanse us from the consequences of sin, especially original sin (the sin we inherit from Adam and Eve). It also washes away any sins we might have committed before baptism, for those old enough to understand right from wrong.
2. Joining the Body of Christ
   Through baptism, we are united with the Church, which is the body of Christ. This is a powerful moment because we are now part of God's family.
3. Access to Salvation
   Baptism opens the door to salvation and eternal life with God. It is a crucial step in our journey to be with God forever in heaven.

Why Baptism is Important

• Baptism is the first sacrament that connects us with God and marks our entrance into the Christian community.
• It grants us the right to receive the other sacraments (like Eucharist and Confirmation) that help us grow spiritually.
• Jesus Himself made baptism important. After He rose from the dead, He commanded His disciples to baptize everyone in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

Baptism and Salvation

• Jesus taught us that baptism is necessary for salvation:
• "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16).
• "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).
• Through baptism, we share in Jesus’ death and resurrection, which brings us new life and hope of eternal life (Romans 6:3-4).
• Baptism is a way for us to "die" to our old self (our sinful nature) and "rise" to live a new life with Christ (Philippians 3:10).

Symbols of Baptism in the Old Testament

• Creation: In Genesis, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters before creating life (Genesis 1:2). The water is a symbol of new life.
• The Flood: In the time of Noah, the floodwaters symbolized a fresh start. Noah and his family were saved through the waters, which can be seen as a symbol of baptism (1 Peter 3:20-21).
• The Red Sea: When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they were saved from slavery in Egypt. This event is a symbol of how baptism frees us from the slavery of sin (Exodus 14:21-22).
• Circumcision: In the Old Testament, circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and His people. Baptism is seen as the "new circumcision" (Colossians 2:11-12), marking us as God's people.

The Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism by Immersion

• The word "baptism" comes from the Greek word baptizo, which means "to immerse." Immersion is the correct way to baptize, where the person is fully submerged in water. This symbolizes being "buried" with Christ and then "rising" with Him (Romans 6:4).
• Sprinkling is only allowed in rare cases, like when someone is sick and cannot be fully immersed in water.

Infant Baptism

• Infants are baptized because baptism is essential for salvation. Just as infants were circumcised in the Old Testament as a sign of belonging to God's people, they are now baptized in the new covenant.
• The Bible shows that entire households, including children, were baptized together (Acts 16:14-15, 33; 1 Corinthians 1:16).

The Baptism Ceremony Steps

1. Blessing the Water

• The priest blesses the water by praying over it and reading Bible verses. This makes the water holy, giving it the power to cleanse from sin and grant new spiritual life.

Renouncing Satan and Confessing Faith

• The godparent (the person who promises to help raise the child in the faith) renounces Satan and his evil ways, saying "no" to sin. Then, the godparent turns to face the East and confesses the faith in Christ on behalf of the child, saying "yes" to God.

The Holy Oil (Chrismation)

• The priest anoints the person with holy oil, symbolizing the person’s membership in the Church and their receiving of the Holy Spirit. This oil is special and is used to anoint kings, priests, and prophets in the Bible.

Immersion in the Water

• The child (or adult) is immersed in the water three times, once for each person of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

New Clothes

• After baptism, the child is dressed in a new white garment. This symbolizes the new life they receive in Christ, being cleansed from sin and "putting on" Christ (Galatians 3:27).

The Crown and Red Ribbon

• A crown is placed on the person’s head, symbolizing their new life as a child of the King, Jesus. A red ribbon is tied around their body, representing the precious blood of Jesus, which saves us from sin and death.

Godparent’s/ Parents  Role

• The godparent promises to help raise the child in the faith, teaching them about Christ and helping them live a Christian life.

After Baptism

• After baptism, the child becomes a member of the Church and is now part of God's family.
• The parents and godparents have the responsibility to guide and support the child in their spiritual journey, teaching them about Christ and helping them grow in faith.