SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
- Initiates them into the whole Christian life.
- Introduces them to life guided by the Holy Spirit
- Gives them access to other rites or sacraments offered by their particular church.
- Frees them from sin and allows them to be reborn as a son/daughter of God.
- Become members of Christ and incorporated into the church and share in church’s mission.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE COMMUNITY
- In all of the ways as the individual – However, the main difference is that the individual is personally involved in the baptism rite for the first time, whereas the members of the community have completed their rite of initiation and witness the baptism of the new adherent into their church community.
- The community appreciates their responsibility to help the individual’s faith grow.
- The community have the opportunity to renew their baptismal promises
- The sponsors/Godparents are members of community who are believers and witnesses who assist the newly baptised.
- The entire Christian community bears responsibility for the faith life of the newly baptised. This is why many Churches insist on the baptism taking place during their official Sunday worship when the whole Christian community is gathered.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES:
"Baptism is an exodus from slavery to new life in God". 1 Corinthians 10:1-12
"Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit". John 3: 3
"Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit". John 3: 3
Created by N. Usher for Gilroy Catholic College, 2014.