Abstract
This paper traces the development of sacraments in the church and focuses on the issue of baptism, particularly the controversy between infant and believer baptism. It supports believer baptism and refutes infant baptism. The paper is in outline format.

From the Paper
"The Christian concept of baptism is grounded both in its development as a sacrament and in the scriptural basis for baptism. This paper will trace the evolution of sacraments in the church and baptism as a sacrament, focusing on the controversy between infant and believer baptism. The evolution of baptism as a sacrament occurred in conjunction with the evolution of the concept of sacraments as it passed through the hands of several notable theologians. Augustine conceived of sacraments..."

Tags:baptism, sacrament, infant, credobaptism, paedobaptism, believer, outline

Abstract
This paper compares Lutheran, Catholic, and Anabaptist in the 16th century and explains that while the Lutheran and Catholic religions believe in infant baptism, the Anabaptists did not. The paper points out that understanding the differences in the practice of baptism is important in understanding the culture and community factors involved in the Lutheran and Catholic faith versus the Anabaptist beliefs of baptism.

From the Paper
"What were the differences in baptism in the Catholic, Lutheran and Anabaptists? What roles did the culture, identity and community factors involved in the baptism differences in the 1600's? While the Lutheran and Catholic religions believe in infant baptism, the Anabaptists did not. Understanding the differences in the practice of baptism is important in understanding the culture and community factors involved in the Lutheran and Catholic faith versus the Anabaptist beliefs of baptism. Infant Baptism in the Lutheran and Catholic Religion Both the Lutheran and Catholic religions in the 1600 are believed in..."

Tags:anabaptist, baptism, infant

Abstract
This paper reviews the history of baptism and holy communion in the United Methodist Church can seem confusing. Since the early days of the Church's founding, the significance of these two sacraments have changed and transformed. The paper discusses how initially they were quite important, but since waned in importance in the Church, becoming akin to personal choices instead of acts of divine community with God ("By Water and the Spirit"; "This Holy Mystery"). The current conception of both these rites of sacrament, as a consequence, is uncertain for many members of the laity in the United Methodist Church. Indeed, some of the clergy are unsure how these acts should be integrated within the context of worship. Nonetheless, Church doctrine has some very clear lessons to teach about both the baptism and holy communion.

Tags:religion, communion, baptism

Abstract
This paper discusses Christian baptism, examining parallel texts in the synoptic gospels. These texts include the book of Luke, which describes the rite differently than in Matthew or Mark. The paper concludes by analyzing baptism in the book of Acts and includes opinions by recent scholars.

From the Paper
"Some Christian baptism passages in Luke's gospel that are included in other synoptic gospels are edited or placed in a different sequence in Luke than they are elsewhere. An example is the passage about Jesus coming from Nazareth to be baptized by John. In Mark, the passage starts by recounting that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan. In Mathew the same incident is related and starts similarly by saying 'Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be...' "

Tags:Christian, religion, baptism, synoptic gospels, book of Acts

Abstract
In this article the writer describes how Methodists, Apostolics, the Word Church, and the New Age Movement view baptism. The writer describes the practice of baptism and explains that it refers back to the time and action of Jesus, who was baptised by his cousin, John the Baptist.

From the Paper
"The practice of baptism is of long standing within Christianity. At its most basic, baptism consists of either immersion in water or sprinkling with water as a form of replicating the actions of Jesus Christ when he allowed himself to be baptized by his cousin, known as John the Baptist. Within the context of the early Christian faith, Pentecost characterized the practice of baptism as a means of cleansing the spirit and the soul of any sinfulness and preparing the individual ... "

Tags:religion, baptism

Abstract
This paper examines the issues of the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, acknowledging the controversiality of the concepts among Biblical scholars but taking the view that both are for the Christian today.

From the Paper
"One of the most mystical and controversial concepts in the Bible is the baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues. Biblical scholars' ideas about the subject run the gamut from John F. Walvoord's belief that; "There is actually no more connection between the baptism of the Spirit and speaking with tongues than there is between speaking in tongues and regeneration or justification." Kilian McDonnell and George T. Montague's assertion that; "As for the Pentecostal' baptism in the..."

Tags:baptism of the Holy Spirit, tongues, relevance, Christian believer, Pentecostal, Holy Ghost

Abstract
This paper explains the importance of the sacrament of baptism and explains how we can see the sacrament of baptism, its effects and the way it leads a person to salvation. The paper is divided into 3 chapters: 1) the historical background of the sacrament of Baptism, 2) the celebration of the sacrament of baptism 3) the theology of Baptism.

Outline:
Introduction
The History of Baptism
The Celebration of Baptism
Baptism: Gateway to Salvation (Theology of Baptism)
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The name baptism came from the Greek noun baptisma which means "the dipping, washing", less commonly 'Baptismas' stemming from the verb 'Bapto' which means to dip or "immerse". In the New Testament this verb is used in the literal sense (Lk 16:24; Jn 13:26, Acts 19:13). From this is derived the iterative from ... which, in classical Greek was used in the literal sense of "Dipping" and in the figurative sense of being over whelmed" with sufferings and miseries.1
"The basic verb is Greek bapto, meaning "dip in or under", also "dye". In the New Testament this word occurs only rarely and always with its literal sense, as in Lk 16:24. It never has the sense "baptize". The form baptize is the term which in different constructions is employed in the New Testament for "baptize". This verb can have varied but related sense as "immerse" sink, drown, go under, sink into, and bathe". The range of meaning adds to its suitability for and act which itself has different comotations and cab be given, in the context of the gospel, such a richly diversified significance. The noun for baptism is baptisma, which occurs only in the New Testament, only in singular, and only for baptism. The term seems to denote not only the external act but also inner meaning and force. Thus the baptism denoted may be that of the Spirit as well as water, and even the baptism of cross.2"

Tags:preaching, gospel, ceremonial

Abstract
This paper examines baptism as a "rite of passage" in which existing members of the Christian community welcome initiates. The paper explains that baptism is one of two sacraments regularly observed in most Protestant churches and is considered one of the sacraments of "Christian initiation", along with confirmation and the Eucharist. The paper looks at the several spiritual goals that one who attains baptism expects to receive as a result of completing their ceremony. The paper then describes the baptism ceremony. In conclusion, the paper shows that in employing two powerful and sacred elements in the sacrament of baptism, namely "water" and "word", the Christian church successfully welcomes new members into its fold and helps them navigate a spiritual passage from the chaos of the secular world to the ordered life of the faithful.

From the Paper
"After the recitation of the Gloria Patri, the Pastor announced the joyous occasion of the ceremony of Baptism being performed during the service. She called the family of the infant up to the raised platform where she usually stands in front of the congregation. The mother and father of the infant, both dressed in formal attire, climbed the stairs of the platform, followed by the child's godparents, to join the Pastor. The baby was dressed in a long white gown covered with lace and ribbons, and her head was covered with a small bonnet. As if impressed by the formality of the occasion herself, she remains silent and periodically requires her mother to shift her from one arm to the other while she looks down at the rows of people plaintively."

Tags:congergation, white, gown, water, spiritual

Abstract
This paper explains that baptism is a sacrament that has proved divisive throughout history as seen not only in differences between Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestants, but also within denominations. The author points out that one thing that is agreed upon is the importance of the sacrament of baptism for the church, for the individual, and its importance in the Early New Testament Church. The paper explores the New Testament and other early sources to answer present day questions about baptism. The author presents the commonalities and diversities in these sources as well as his own personal view of the Sacrament of Baptism.

From the Paper
"Many other Early Church Fathers wrote to give us understanding of the importance of this rite, such as Cyprian of Carthage, Hilary of Piotiers, Gregory of Nazianzus, Cyril of Jerusalem, Ambrose of Milan, John Chrysostom of Constantinople, and Augistine of Hippo. These writers emphasized the importance of the Trinity in baptism, the importance of the rite itself, gave further instruction on procedure, defined baptism as a rite of initiation in the church body, as a need for remission of sins or regeneration (Acts 2:38), and as a commitment to Christ and the Church."

Tags:john, trinity, structure, competentes, infants, training

Abstract
The paper explains why the ritual of baptism is such an important experience in the Christian community, as well as the background of the ritual itself. With baptism, a person is following the instructions of Jesus. Also, the person is immersed in the death and resurrection of Christ. Baptism is the most clear and explicit act that Jesus instructed for his disciples in order for them to follow him.

From the Paper
"Baptism is a pivotal part of the Christian faith and is performed in Christian communities in accordance with Jesus' directions in the New Testament. Being baptized not only means becoming a part of the Christian community, but also being thrust into the death and resurrection of Christ and receiving eternal life in Jesus. While one of the functions of baptism is to absolve a person of his or her sins, Jesus insisted that he be baptized in order to, "Fulfill all righteousness."1 In the New Testament baptism is done in order to immerse a person into the Paschal Mystery, to become a member of the Body of Christ and join the Christian community, and to publicly proclaim a person's repentance."

Tags:bible, christianity, new, rituals, testament