Baptism (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Note
Exam code: 8062
Meaning of Baptism
A sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church
Baptism is a sacrament of initiation into the Church
This means that through baptism a person becomes a member of the Church and a child of God
The Church follows the teaching and example of Jesus, who was baptised himself by John the Baptist and ordered his disciples to baptise all followers:
'Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.' (Matthew 28:19-20)
The Catholic Church practices infant baptism
This means that babies are baptised and their parents and godparents make promises on their behalf that they will bring them up in the Christian faith
There are signs, symbols and important words or actions in each sacrament. In baptism these are:
Water is poured onto the child’s head to represent the washing away of sin
Oil is used to anoint the child to represent strength to fight evil
A candle is lit to symbolise Jesus, the ‘Light of the world’
A white garment is worn to show that the child is pure and clothed in Christ
The person is baptised ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ showing that they are sharing in the life of the Trinity
Effects & Importance of Baptism
Baptism is important because it is:
the way a person enters into the Christian faith: a sacrament of initiation
The parents and godparents make promises on the child’s behalf that they will live a life within the Christian family
a symbolic washing away of sin - it frees a person from original sin so they can live a life with God and try to live according to Jesus’ teachings
a way of committing one’s life to God
a way of being filled with the Holy Spirit to gain strength to resist temptation and evil throughout life
a way to follow the example of Jesus himself, who was baptised by John the Baptist
following the teaching of Jesus, who told his disciples to baptise all followers
a way that a person enters into God’s family and shares eternal life with God after their death
'No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit' (John 3:5)
Worked Example
Explain two ways in which the sacrament of baptism affects the lives of Catholics
(4 marks)
One way is that baptism marks a person’s entry into the Christian faith. This means that they are joining God’s family which they will be part of for life (2 marks)
Catholics believe that the water used at baptism represents a cleansing from sin, which makes them ready to live a life in which they will follow Jesus’ teachings (2 marks)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You might be asked to evaluate the significance of baptism in comparison to the other sacraments of the church. Therefore, as you revise each sacrament, ensure that you can explain why it is important or significant to believers.
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