Sacrament of Baptism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Sacrament of Baptism - Research Paper Example Baptism is seen as a way to salvation for the Catholics who consider the church as the universal sacrament of salvation. Catholics believe that the manner in which one is baptized is not important but the idea that they are baptized is. The person administering the sacrament must not be a priest but anyone who has undergone baptism themselves. However, during critical moments for instance in sickness or near death, anyone can administer the sacrament provided they follow the right way of doing it. The father or other right authority will then conduct a conditional baptism (Vorgrimler, 2002). This paper will seek to critically evaluate the concept of the sacrament of baptism and its relevance in a Christian’s life or at least for the churches that practice it. The paper will seek to view the sacrament from other Christians views and also give a scholarly critique to the act. This paper will evaluate what the bible says in the old and new testaments about salvation and baptism. This is has been perhaps the most controversial concern with baptism (Berkhof, 2006). The sacrament of Baptism The practice of the sacrament is normally conducted by the pries pouring water on the forehead of the faithful while saying the words â€Å"I baptize you in the name of the Father, son, and Holy Spirit.† This indicates that the member has been officially initiated into the ways of the church and through that he or she is saved since the church is the sacrament of salvation. The Anglicans also believe the sacrament is the only sure way to salvation. So, what is the necessity of baptism? Is it really important? What does the bible say about baptism and salvation? Old Testament on Baptism The old testament doesn’t really talk about baptism, or at least as we know it. Baptism is viewed in a symbolic form. For instance, the Noah case; when God got angry and ordered that every animal in the world be allowed into the ark with eight other people. The eight people were in a way saved by God through water. The water is a symbol of baptism for the eight people in the boat. In this regard, baptism is viewed as a sort of cleansing to the world. God cleansed the world through the use of water. This is the closest that the old testament has come to baptism, albeit symbolically (Osborne, 2008). New Testament on Baptism The oldest form of baptism ever recorded was done by John the Baptist and recorded in the New Testament. He then went ahead to announce to people that people should be baptized in order to clean them off their sins. Baptism, according to John the Baptist was to show that they had repented their sins. John the Baptist performed his miracles using water in the river Jordan. He did so by immersing the believers into the river and then they emerged baptized and born again. This is in the book of Luke. When John is found baptizing people by the river and believers ask him questions, he answers by telling them that he is baptizing them with wat er but someone is coming who is greater than he is †¦ and will baptize them with the holy spirit and with fire. This form of baptism is a