Baptism

Question 1

What is the main purpose of baptism in Christianity?

Answer 1

It is a rite of adoption/ initiation signifying entry into the Christian faith + a new relationship with God

Question 2

What does baptism symbolise for many Christians?

Answer 2

Rebirth

Washing away sins

Reconciliation with God

Question 3

What is a sacrament?

Answer 3

An outward sign of an invisible grace from God

Question 4

How is baptism linked to redemption?

Answer 4

Reflects forgiveness from sin + the start of a new life through Jesus

Question 5

What verse contains the Great Commission to baptise?

Answer 5

Matthew 28:19

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”

Question 6

What does John 3:5 teach about baptism?

Answer 6

One must be “born of the water and spirit” to enter the kingdom of God

Question 7

Which verse is often used to justify infant baptism through family conversion?

Answer 7

Acts 16:33
“Then he and his entire family were baptised without delay”

Question 8

What does Luke 18:15-16 suggest about children

Answer 8

“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for to such belongs to the kingdom of God.”

Children have value in God’s kingdom

Question 9

What did Augustine teach about original sin?

Answer 9

All humans inherit original sin form Adam

Incapable of removing it themselves

Question 10

According to to Augustine, what does baptism do for infants?

Answer 10

Cleanses infants of original sin- unable to do it themselves

Essential for salvation

Question 11

How did Augustine compare baptism to circumcision?

Answer 11

Both are early signs of faith, to be followed with belief

Question 12

What church councils supported Augustine’s view?

Answer 12

Council of Carthage (418CE)

Council of Mileum II (416CE)

Question 13

What is it meant by massa damnata?

Answer 13

Augustine’s term for humanity as a “condemned crowd,” inherently sinful without grace

Question 14

What happens to an unbaptised baby who dies in Augustine’s view?

Answer 14

Due to being born with original sin, unbaptised babies will receive eternal damnation

Question 15

What does baptism cleanse the recipient of?

Answer 15

Original sin (inherited by Adam who brought sin into the world)

Enables Christians to share in Christ’s resurrection

Question 16

How did Augustine describe the spiritual effect of baptism on infants?

Answer 16

Baptised infants are ‘ingrafted’ into Christ’s body + receive the grace of His Spirit

Question 17

Which biblical passages did Augustine use to support baptism as union with Christ’s death + resurrection?

Answer 17

Romans 6:3-4
Baptism unites believers with Christ’s death + resurrection

Question 18

What are the two types of sin Augustine identified?

Answer 18

Original sin

Personal sin- individual actions against God’s will

Question 19

According to Augustine, who presented the infant for baptism?

Answer 19

The whole Church presents the infant through those holding them, not just the parents

Question 20

What role do the Christian parents play in infant baptism according to Augustine?

Answer 20

Parents respond on behalf of the child by professing faith + vows during baptism

Question 21

What happens first in infant baptism, according to Augustine: the sign or faith?

Answer 21

The sign (baptism) comes first; faith follows as the child matures

Question 22

How did the Council of Mileum II (416 CE) support Augustine’s teaching?

Answer 22

It endorsed baptising infants for the cleansing of inherited original sin, even if they hadn’t committed personal sins.

Question 23

What did Augustine say about baptism and the “seal of righteousness”?

Answer 23

Like Isaac’s circumcision, baptism is a seal of righteousness given to infants before they can personally believe.

Question 24

How did Augustine view the relationship between baptism and conversion?

Answer 24

Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration; conversion and Christian piety follow as the child grows.

Question 25

What was Zwingli’s view on the power of baptism?

Answer 25

Baptism doesn’t save/ remove sin It is a SIGN of salvation- which has already been received

Question 26

Why did Zwingli support infant baptism despite rejecting its saving power?

Answer 26

It is a sign of the covenant, like circumcision, and a pledge by parents to raise the child in faith.

Question 27

What principle guided Zwingli’s theology?

Answer 27

Sola scriptura

Question 28

How did Zwingli use Romans 4 to support his view?

Answer 28

Abraham had faith before circumcision, which was a sign of righteousness—like baptism.

Question 29

What did Zwingli believe about the role of parents?

Answer 29

Parents pledge to raise the child in the Christian faith, initiating their path to faith.

Question 30

What is the key theological disagreement between Augustine and Zwingli on baptism?

Answer 30

Augustine believed baptism removes original sin and is necessary for salvation; Zwingli believed it is symbolic and does not impart grace.

Question 31

Why did Zwingli reject the anabaptists?

Answer 31

disagreed with their belief in re-baptising believers and insisted baptism is a sign of covenant, not tied to age or understanding.

Question 32

What role does the Church play in infant baptism according to Augustine?

Answer 32

faith of the Church stands in for the infant’s faith, completing the sacrament.

Question 33

How does baptism create religious identity?

Answer 33

It marks an individual as part of the Christian community and covenant, shaping identity across generations.

Question 34

What is believer’s baptism?

Answer 34

The full immersion in water of ann adult who has made a personal profession of faith in Christ

Question 35

Who were the anabaptists?

Answer 35

A radical reformation group who baptised adults who had made a profession of faith- rejecting infant baptism

Question 36

Why did many members of the anabaptists movement reject the term ‘Anabaptist’?

Answer 36

Believe infant baptism was void Adult baptism is not a re-baptism- just the first valid one

Question 37

What does Acts 8:12 say in supporting believer’s baptism?

Answer 37

“But when they believed Philip… they were baptised, both men and women”

Question 38

What is the general order of events before baptism in Acts?

Answer 38

Preaching | V Faith | V Baptism

Question 39

Why did Catholics and Protestants oppose the Anabaptists?

Answer 39

Viewed adult baptism of those already baptised unnecessary + heretical ‘rebaptism’

Question 40

What did the Council of Trent (1547) say about Anabaptist baptism?

Answer 40

Denounced anabaptist practice of rebaptising adults

Question 41

What did Karl Barth advocate regarding baptism?

Answer 41

Believer’s Baptist is the full immersion of a person in water and withdrawal from it again Most authentic and symbolic representation of death + resurrection with Christ

Question 42

Why did Barth criticise infant baptism?

Answer 42

Viewed it violent and coercive Lacks individual’s consent + free response to God’s grace

Question 43

What is ‘aspersion’?

Answer 43

Sprinkling a small amount of water on the head, as used in infant baptism

Question 44

According to Barth, what does full submersion symbolise?

Answer 44

A direct threat to life Followed by deliverance —> symbolise of Christ’s death + resurrection

Question 45

Does Barth see baptism as a sacrament?

Answer 45

No- it’s a symbolic act; doesn’t bring salvation Human response to God’s grace —> not something that imparts grace in itself —> dependent potency on Christ

Question 46

What does Romans 6:5 say about baptism?

Answer 46

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” —> symbol of salvation history —> the seal of God’s grace, but doesn’t cause it in reality

Question 47

How does Barth describe baptism’s spiritual role?

Answer 47

It’s symbolic It bears witness to grace but doesn’t cause it itself

Question 48

What does Barth say about baptism and the Holy Spirit?

Answer 48

Water baptism is symbolic of Spirit baptism, which only Christ can perform Baptism in water alone is insufficient

Question 49

How does John 1:33 relate to Barthes view?

Answer 49

“He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit” —> Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit- not just water —> emphasis on importance of spiritual over ritual baptism

Question 50

What is Barth’s analogy about invalid performance of baptism?

Answer 50

Gold does not become straw if it is stolen by a thief an misused —> baptism remains valuable even if its not properly administered

Question 51

What is Barth’s conclusion of infant baptism?

Answer 51

Though the baptism is valid, its clouded + incorrect; should not be repeated

Question 52

What does Barth say about the responsibility in baptism?

Answer 52

The baptised must be active participants Infants cannot take responsibility + express faith

Question 53

Why does Barth reject the comparison between baptism and circumcision?

Answer 53

One is not born a Christian in the same way one is born into Judaism Christian identity is based on personal faith, not birthright as in Judaism.

Question 54

Why is consent important in baptism, according to Barth?

Answer 54

Baptism must be a free act of obedience Coercion undermines its meaning

Question 55

What does Barth say about household baptisms in Acts?

Answer 55

Argues unlikely they accoutred without prior preaching + faith —> not proof of infant baptism

Question 56

What is it meant by 'Heilsgeschichte' in Barth's theology?

Answer 56

Salvation history Baptism symbolises union with Christ in that narrative