Custom essays on THE MODE OF BAPTISM

Since ancient times people used the water to cleanse the body. In Christianity, the rite of baptism is used in the light of God’s influence on man. And like the water cleans human flesh, the grace of God purifies the soul from sins. Thus, baptism is not only carnal, but spiritual cleansing. In many places of the Old Testament ritual ablution occurs, symbolizing the washing away of sin and devotion to God. “Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments” (Genesis 35:2). “And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes”(Exodus 19:10). “Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water” (Leviticus 8:6). “He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on” (Leviticus 16:4). “But if he does not wash them or bathe his flesh, he shall bear his iniquity” (Leviticus 17:16). “They gathered to Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah” (1 Samuel 7:6). “When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning” (Isaiah 4:4). “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you” (Izekiel 36:25). “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness” (Zechariah 13:1).
In the New Testament, anointing and immersion of man into the water or sprinkling was called baptistery. In New Testament times baptism of repentance was carried out for the forgiveness of sins. John the Baptist was the first to use the rite of baptism. “Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:5-6). “And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). Jesus was also baptized this way.
After His resurrection the Savior commanded His disciples to spread His teachings and baptize people. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). The Apostles executed the commandment of the Savior. “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).
In the future, the essence of baptism remains the same, but the rite of baptism changed. In New Testament times, baptism was carried out in rivers or ponds with a total immersion. In later times baptisteries were built, which were placed first in the open air, and then in special baptismal rooms. Then, in the Anglican Church and other denominations immersion was replaced by sprinkling, and baptism itself became of a purely symbolic significance. In the early Christianity, baptism was mostly performed over mature people. In the 8th century, baptizing infants became widespread. At first, baptism was performed by laymen who passed ascetic training, including women. In the future, only the clergy was entitled to perform the baptism.
During the struggle of the Catholic Church with the heretics who denied baptism, verbal and ritual formula of baptism were developed, which were approved by the 4th Lutheran and Florentine cathedrals. These rules of baptism stressed the importance of the church in shaping the spiritual aspect of man, and also pointed out the necessity for each person, as stated in the conciliar document, to have the “rebirth through the water in the word and repent into the sinless life with God in the soul.”