Christianity & Baptism (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Types of baptism

• Baptism is a very important sacrament for many Christians

• The Bible records that Jesus himself was baptised by John the Baptist 

• After Jesus was crucified and resurrected He told his disciples to go out and baptise people

• There are many reasons why baptism is an important sacrament

  • It is seen as welcoming Christians to the Church and the family of God

  • Some Christians believe that it cleanses Christians of the original sin they were born with

  • As a sacrament, it recognises a time of great change within the lives of Christians

  • Some Christians believe that a person is unable to enter heaven unless they have been baptized

• Christians see baptism as the point in their lives when they are resurrected

• Many Christians (Catholics, Anglicans and Methodists) baptise when the person is a baby

  • This practice is known as infant baptism

  • These churches will also baptise an adult if they have not yet been baptised and want to join the church

  • Infant baptism ceremonies are generally followed by a confirmation ceremony when the person is older

    • At confirmation, the person declares their own faith when they are old enough to understand what this means

• Other Christians (Baptists and Pentecostals) do not baptise until a person is older, as they believe people should have a choice

  • This is called believers’ baptism

Importance of godparents & sponsors

• Godparents and sponsors play an important role in the baptism of children, especially in Christian denominations such as the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox churches

• Godparents are chosen by the child’s parents to support the child’s faith journey and make promises before God during the baptism service

  • In the Catholic Church, godparents must be practising Catholics who have received the sacraments (baptism and confirmation)

• The role of godparents is both spiritual and practical, lasting beyond the day of the baptism

  • Godparents give spiritual guidance

    • They promise to help the child grow in the Christian faith and live according to Christian values

  • Godparents are expected to:

    • Teach the child about Christianity

    • Help them learn how to pray

    • Model good Christian behaviour such as kindness, compassion, generosity and justice

  • They are encouraged to attend church with the child and help them understand what happens in church services

  • They also support the child by providing moral support and life advice, helping them to make wise and loving decisions that reflect Christian teachings

  • The godparent should pray regularly for their godchild, especially during difficult or joyful moments in life

Infant baptism

• Blessed water is combined with the Trinitarian formula (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit)

• During the baptism service:

  • The Sign of the Cross is made on the infant’s forehead to show that the child will remain faithful to Christ and fight against evil

  • A candle is lit to symbolise that the child has received the Light of Christ

  • The Bible is read, and prayers are recited

  • At two different points, the infant is anointed with oils as a sign of receiving strength to fight evil and salvation

  • Parents and godparents are reminded of their responsibility to bring up the child in the Christian faith

  • They also promise to:

    • Reject evil 

    • Repent of sins

    • Submit to Christ

    • Accept the Church’s faith as set out in the Apostles’ Creed

• The newly baptised child is dressed in a white robe

Believers’ baptism

• White clothes are often worn as a sign of the new life about to begin

• The person due to be baptised reads their testimony, explaining how they came to believe and why they are seeking baptism

• There is a Declaration of Penitence for Sin, a declaration of faith in Christ as their personal Saviour and a dedication of lifelong service to Christ

• The candidate walks down the steps into the water and is fully submerged

• The minister then baptises them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

• When the person leaves the pool, it symbolises an end to their old life of sin and separation from God and the start of a new life serving God