What is Baptism? |
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Baptism in water is an outward symbol of something happening on the inside. It is the sign that someone has turned from (repented of) their bad ways and has accepted that they can only do this with the help of God and his Holy Spirit. |
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| When people call baptism a sacrament, they mean that it is something ordinary in itself, but has a special 'sacred' or holy meaning. In this case, the meaning is that someone has turned to Jesus and wants to follow him and his ways. | |
| In the Bible, the Gospel of Matthew records these words as the last thing Jesus said before he returned to heaven: | |
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'I have been
given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make
disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father,
and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all
the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.' |
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(Click to see an enlarged photo in a new window) |
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| Christians baptise people in obedience to these words spoken by Jesus. | |
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Go back to 'Do What - Baptism' |