Historical Development of Baptism
To understand Baptism as it is experienced in the Christian community today, it is integral to analyse the development of the ritual over time. This examination also sheds light into the theology of Baptism and its importance within the Christian community. As previously mentioned in the ‘Exploration of Baptism’, the foundation of baptism was derived from early Jewish society. Its roots are derived from the symbolism of water and purification long before Jesus was baptised in the River Jordan.
Bradshaw (1996) discusses the emergence of infant baptism in church history. The first people that converted to Christianity were adults but there is no solid evidence to say that infants were not also baptised during this time. Notably, in Acts (1:38) Peter says, “For the promise is to you and to your children and all that are far off, every one whom the Lord calls to him.” As this suggests, adults used to be baptized but now because of practical considerations and understandings it is infants who are now more commonly baptised.
To understand Baptism as it is experienced in the Christian community today, it is integral to analyse the development of the ritual over time. This examination also sheds light into the theology of Baptism and its importance within the Christian community. As previously mentioned in the ‘Exploration of Baptism’, the foundation of baptism was derived from early Jewish society. Its roots are derived from the symbolism of water and purification long before Jesus was baptised in the River Jordan.
Bradshaw (1996) discusses the emergence of infant baptism in church history. The first people that converted to Christianity were adults but there is no solid evidence to say that infants were not also baptised during this time. Notably, in Acts (1:38) Peter says, “For the promise is to you and to your children and all that are far off, every one whom the Lord calls to him.” As this suggests, adults used to be baptized but now because of practical considerations and understandings it is infants who are now more commonly baptised.
Baptism in the New Testament suggests that the ceremony would have taken place in a river or a pool, rather than a domestic house bath or a baptismal font currently used today. This can be seen throughout the Gospels as John the Baptist performs the ritual in the River Jordan (Bradshaw, 1996). The custom of submerging the baptised in water has also significantly changed throughout history. These days, there are many ways baptism is practiced in the church today. It often depends on the parish, but some baptismal ceremonies will pour water of the child's head instead of practicing full body immersion into the water.
Since the beginning of the church, another prominent change in the historical development of baptism is the preliminary period of instruction before entering into the faith. Converts to Christianity would have to undergo a period of extensive, formal catechumenate; derived from the Greek word catechumen, meaning ‘learner’. This instruction period varied accordingly to the individual (often because the converts were Jews of Pagans) (Bradshaw, 1996). Adult baptism is still practised in today’s society and therefore the preparation for the baptism stills holds an important place within Christianity. Adult initiation into the Christian church allows them to receive the gift of God in Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist ((VA), 1993).
Since the beginning of the church, another prominent change in the historical development of baptism is the preliminary period of instruction before entering into the faith. Converts to Christianity would have to undergo a period of extensive, formal catechumenate; derived from the Greek word catechumen, meaning ‘learner’. This instruction period varied accordingly to the individual (often because the converts were Jews of Pagans) (Bradshaw, 1996). Adult baptism is still practised in today’s society and therefore the preparation for the baptism stills holds an important place within Christianity. Adult initiation into the Christian church allows them to receive the gift of God in Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist ((VA), 1993).