Expressions Of Religip Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is a sacrament?
A Christian rite that is an outward and visible sign of spiritual grace.
Name the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church
Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Sacraments of Healing
Penance
Anointing of the Sick
Sacraments at the Service of Communion
Marriage
Holy Orders
Name the three rites of initiation in the Catholic Church
Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist (Holy Communion)
What does the word ‘baptism’ mean?
To ‘baptise’ means ‘to dip’
Baptism is initiation into the Christian faith which involves water – either being poured over the infant’s forehead or immersing a person in it.
Jesus himself was baptised (as an adult) by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. It was at this moment that, according to the Gospels, God announced from Heaven that ‘this is my Son’ (demonstrating Jesus’ divinity).
Baptism is a symbol of rebirth and a sign of entry into the Kingdom of God.
Being immersed in water links to Jesus’ death, whereas being lifted out of the water links to his resurrection – baptism is about a ‘rebirth’ and ‘new life’ through Christ.
Water plays an important symbolic role – it washes away sin and makes us ‘dead’ to
sin, and represents our rebirth and resurrection through Jesus Christ.
According to Matthew 28:19, what did Jesus teach his disciples to do?
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Jesus, Matthew 28:19)
Make disciples of all nations (synoptic link: mission of the Church)
Baptise people in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
This is known as the Great Commission, given by Jesus before his ascension to Heaven.
What does this tell us about how Jesus viewed baptism? Explain this in the context of the Kingdom of God
Jesus’ baptism is the beginning of his earthly ministry. It is when he begins working to inaugurate the Kingdom of God on earth; healing people, teaching people, collecting his disciples and proclaiming the good news.
Jesus viewed baptism as public commitment to dedicating your life to following God.
It is the ‘gateway’ to the Kingdom of God – it marks your ‘entry’ into the Kingdom, which Jesus inaugurated during his earthly existence.
He was baptised as an adult, suggesting baptism is a personal choice that the individual makes about the future direction of their life.
For Christians today, baptism marks the washing away of sins – however, as Jesus was born sinless, he did not need this to happen. Instead, he showed humility and demonstrated the importance of baptism through his actions.
John the Baptist, who baptises Jesus, confirms his identity: he proclaims that Jesus is the ‘lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world’.
What is the difference between
infant and believers baptism?
Infant baptism – practiced by the Catholic Church – is the sacrament which
involves being baptised through water being poured on your forehead as a
baby.
Believer’s baptism – practiced by the Baptist Church – is the ordinance which
involves being baptised through full immersion in water as an adult.
What is the link between Original
Sin and infant baptism?
St Augustine: Original Sin – we are all born sinful, because we inherit sin from Adam and
Eve. Their ‘Fall’ in the Garden of Eden has implicated everybody, as we were all ‘present’ in
Adam’s loins.
Sin is therefore ‘transmitted’ through sexual reproduction – every single person is born
sinful.
It is therefore important to baptise infants in order to ‘wash away’ the Original Sin they have
been born with. The Catechism teaches that baptism frees us from Sin.
This means that the baby can be ‘reborn’ through Christ and, through their baptism, be
initiated / welcomed into the Church. It is the ‘gateway to life in the Spirit’.
The Catholic Church traditionally teaches that there is no salvation outside the Church
(synoptic link: pluralism). If you want your child to receive salvation, you need to baptise
them as an infant!
Consider, for example, death during childhood – parents would want to get their child baptised asap
What does the Catechism of the
Catholic Church teach about
baptism?
“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life”
“Baptism is the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua)”
“Baptism is the door which gives access to the other sacraments”
“Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we
become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made
sharers in her mission”
Name two Churches who do not
practice Holy Communion.
Quakers
Salvation Army
They do not practice Sacraments – they seek to ‘find’ the sacred in everyday
life instead – every action is sacred (as opposed to just during a particular
service).
They believe that you do not need rituals in order to communicate with God
or receive his grace.
Name two Churches who see
Holy Communion as a sacrament.
Catholic Church – transubstantiation
Church of England – symbolic
What is the form, matter and
intention of Holy Communion?
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on
the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he
broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance
of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the
new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of
me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the
Lord’s death until he comes”
St Paul, 1 Corinthians
Explain three things that happen
during an infant baptism ceremony
Anointing of child on chest with holy oil – a symbol of the strength that baptism
gives to fight against all that is wrong.
Blessing of the baptismal water – so that the child, through the water, can be ‘born
of water and the Spirit’.
Renunciation of sin and affirmation of faith by parents and godparents – done on
behalf of the child.
Dipping the child in the water / pouring water on the child three times – the central
act of baptism, symbolising the washing away of sin, and union with Christ in his
death (being immersed in the water) and resurrection (being lifted out of the water).
Anointing the child with the oil of chrism – seals the child as a member of the Body
of Christ and is a sign that the child is chosen for a special task. Symbol of Holy Spirit.
Giving a lighted candle to a parent for the child and a special prayer – a sign that the
child shares in the risen life of Christ, who is the light of the world, and a prayer that
a child will be open to hearing the word of God and proclaiming it.
Give two reasons infant baptism
is important for Catholic Christians
It cleanses the child of original sin (inherited from Adam and Eve, transmitted
through sexual reproduction).
It is the first rite of initiation (the ‘basis of the whole Christian life’ and the
‘gateway to life in the Spirit’). This opens up the way to the other two rites of
initiation and the other sacraments.
It enables the Holy Spirit to begin the work of transformation in the child’s life.
Explain three reasons the Baptist
Church rejects infant baptism
Baptists reject the doctrine of original sin – there is nothing that needs to be
removed as soon as possible after birth.
There is no New Testament evidence for it - Jesus was not baptised as a child,
and Jesus did not baptise children.
Baptism is about making a personal and public commitment to being reborn in
Christ – an infant cannot make this commitment for themselves. It is
something that requires careful preparation and commitment.
State three things that happen
during a Baptist ‘believers’ baptism’
Those being baptised give a public testimony to their faith in Christ.
They declare their repentance of sin and their acceptance of Jesus as Saviour.
They are totally immersed in a baptismal pool.
What is Holy Communion and
what does ‘Eucharist’ mean?
Communion means ‘participation / sharing in something’
Holy Communion refers to partaking in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Eucharist literally means ‘thanksgiving’.
It is about remembering – and expressing thanks for – Jesus’ sacrificial death
on the cross, when he gave up his body (bread) and blood (wine) for the
forgiveness of human sin.
The practice was inaugurated by Jesus Christ himself at the Last Supper, which
took place the night before he died (Maundy Thursday – Easter). He taught his
disciples: “do this in memory of me”.
What does the Catechism teach
about the Eucharist?
“The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation”
“The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life”
“By the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate
eternal life, when God will be all in all”
“It is an action of thanksgiving to God”
“Jesus used this rite, part of a Jewish meal, when as master of the table he blessed and distributed
the bread”
“It makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior and includes the Church’s offering”
“At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and
the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ’s Body and Blood. Faithful to the Lord’s command the
Church continues to do, in his memory and until his glorious return, what he did on the eve of his
Passion”
“Jesus chose the time of Passover to fulfill what he had announced at Capernaum: giving his disciples
his Body and his Blood”
What event does Holy Communion commemorate? Refer to Passover
Holy Communion commemorates the ‘Last Supper’
This was the last meal Jesus had with his disciples before his death by crucifixion
It took place on Maundy Thursday (during Holy Week).
Jesus’ disciples had gathered to celebrate Passover, a major Jewish celebration
marking the Biblical story of the Israelites escape from slavery in Egypt (Exodus).
Many people assume that Jesus’ Last Supper was a Seder, a ritual meal held in
celebration of the Jewish holiday of Passover.
This is a key reminder that Jesus was Jewish.
It is also emphasises the key link between the Old and New Testaments.
It was custom to sacrifice a lamb at Passover. Jesus is understood by Christians to
be the ultimate sacrifice – He is the ‘lamb of God who takes away the sins of the
world’ (John 1:29).
What is transubstantiation and
why is it important for Catholics?
Transubstantiation = change substance
When the bread and wine are consecrated, their appearance, taste and
texture remain the same but their substance is changed
They become the Body and Bloody of Christ
Christ is present in the consecrated bread and wine
Therefore, in receiving Communion, Catholics receive Christ into their body.
This spiritual feeding makes a real change to them.
Through it they are united with Christ and with one another.
It is a foretaste of the heavenly Kingdom of God.
What does Luke 22:19-20 teach
about Holy Communion?
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,
“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the
new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you”
It has been inaugurated by Jesus himself – he says to ‘do this in remembrance
of me’
That the bread is Jesus’ body, which has been ‘given for you’
That the wine is Jesus’ blood, which is ‘poured out for you’
That a new covenant with God has been made through Jesus’ crucifixion
How does the Church of England
view the bread and the wine used?
They are consecrated (‘made holy’) but they are NOT the actual body and blood of
Christ – they have a symbolic role.
“The Eucharist is at the heart of Christian worship. It is celebrated by Christians
around the world as a memorial of the death and resurrection of Jesus, in response
to his words at the final meal he shared with his disciples, ‘Do this in remembrance
of me’”.
“In the Eucharist, God invites us to his table as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet
which he has prepared for people of all nations and cultures”
“The Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion, the Mass, or the Lord’s Supper), can
take many different forms across the Church of England, and it may be understood
by Christians in different ways, but at the heart of the celebration there is always a
special prayer of thanksgiving, or ‘Eucharistic Prayer’ (eucharistein means ‘to give
thanks’ in Greek). This is offered by the priest who presides at the service in the
name of all who are gathered, giving thanks for all that God has given us in Christ”
How does the Baptist Church
view the bread and wine used?
They are symbolic and used to help remember Jesus’ Last Supper and death.
Baptists view Holy Communion as an ordinance (an act of obedience to a command
of Jesus).
‘Do this in remembrance of me’ (Jesus at the Last Supper).
They are used to remember the Last Supper and Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross
– Holy Communion is a memorial.
Anyone is able to receive Communion – it is an ‘open table’.
It does NOT affect any spiritual change in those who receive the bread and wine.
Its main value is to bring the community together to remember – and give thanks for
– what Jesus did.
Synoptic link: Baptists believe in the priesthood of all believers (sources of wisdom
and authority) – anybody can serve each other in communion.
How is Holy Communion
celebrated in the Baptist Church?
As an ordinance – act of obedience to a commandment from Jesus.
Usually observed at least once a month.
Usually use non-alcoholic wine / juice.
Bread and wine are symbolic (do NOT believe in transubstantiation).
It is seen as a time of reflection and thanksgiving.
Although it will usually be presided over by an ordained minister, a person
authorised by the churches to act in their name, this does not have to be the case. A
church may appoint some other trusted person who is not ordained.
Often the congregation will share the bread and wine with each other. Ministers too
will receive the bread and wine from other church members. The idea behind this is
that communion, like baptism, belongs to the congregation. It is not owned by a
priesthood that then hands it down to others for their salvation.
