​ ​ ​ ​ ​Depth​ ​Study​ ​Christianity​ ​SORII​ ​-​ ​Amelia​ ​Somerfield

​ ​SIGNIFICANT​ ​PERSON​ ​-​ ​POPE​ ​JOHN​ ​23​ ​(ANGELO​ ​RONCALLI)

Syllabus:
● Explain​ ​the​ ​contribution​ ​to​ ​the​ ​development​ ​and​ ​expression​ ​of​ ​Christianity
● Analyse​ ​the​ ​impact​ ​of​ ​this​ ​person​ ​on​ ​Christianity

List​ ​of​ ​Contributions:

- Role​ ​as​ ​war​ ​medic​ ​in​ ​WWI​ ​&​ ​WWII
- Cuban​ ​missile​ ​crisis​ ​radio​ ​broadcast​ ​to​ ​prevent​ ​world​ ​war
- Life​ ​motto​ ​“Obedientia​ ​et​ ​Pax”
- Providing​ ​support​ ​for​ ​disadvantaged​ ​workers​ ​in​ ​Bergamo
- Encyclical​ ​“Mater​ ​et​ ​Magistra”​ ​echoed​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​fair​ ​wages​ ​allowing​ ​each
individual​ ​to​ ​“live​ ​a​ ​truly​ ​human​ ​life”
- Encyclical​ ​“Pacem​ ​in​ ​Terris”​ ​addressed​ ​to​ ​“all​ ​men​ ​of​ ​good​ ​will”,​ ​highlighted​ ​universal
peace​ ​in​ ​truth,​ ​justice​ ​and​ ​charity
- Provided​ ​the​ ​calling​ ​and​ ​inspiration​ ​for​ ​Vatican​ ​2
- “Man​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Year”​ ​1962

Outline​ ​the​ ​contribution​ ​of​ ​one​ ​significant​ ​person​ ​to​ ​the​ ​development​ ​and​ ​expression
of​ ​Christianity​ ​(4​ ​marks)
Angelo​ ​Roncalli​ ​was​ ​a​ ​progressive​ ​pope​ ​and​ ​prolific​ ​writer​ ​as​ ​much​ ​of​ ​his​ ​contributions​ ​to
Christianity​ ​were​ ​transformative​ ​and​ ​revolutionary.​ ​ ​Growing​ ​up​ ​amongst​ ​poverty,​ ​Roncalli
made​ ​it​ ​his​ ​mission​ ​as​ ​a​ ​Pope​ ​to​ ​deliver​ ​peace,​ ​obedience​ ​and​ ​unity​ ​through​ ​his​ ​work.
Roncalli​ ​wrote​ ​8​ ​encyclicals,​ ​including​ ​“Pacem​ ​in​ ​Terris”,​ ​which​ ​emphasised​ ​the​ ​importance
of​ ​world​ ​peace​ ​“May​ ​christ​ ​inflame​ ​the​ ​desires​ ​of​ ​all​ ​men​ ​to​ ​break​ ​through​ ​the​ ​barriers​ ​that
divide​ ​them”.​ ​Additionally,​ ​he​ ​served​ ​as​ ​a​ ​medic​ ​in​ ​WWI​ ​and​ ​worked​ ​amongst​ ​the
underprivileged,​ ​providing​ ​support​ ​for​ ​disadvantaged​ ​workers​ ​in​ ​Bergamo.​ ​By​ ​providing​ ​the
calling​ ​and​ ​inspiration​ ​for​ ​Vatican​ ​II,​ ​he​ ​reiterated​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​ecumenism​ ​and​ ​unison
among​ ​religions.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​primary​ ​due​ ​to​ ​to​ ​Roncalli’s​ ​determination​ ​that​ ​the​ ​church​ ​should​ ​‘leap
forward’​ ​that​ ​he​ ​is​ ​considered​ ​to​ ​be​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​influential​ ​Christian​ ​leaders.

Analyse​ ​the​ ​impact​ ​of​ ​one​ ​significant​ ​person​ ​on​ ​Christianity​ ​(8​ ​marks)
Roncalli’s​ ​transformative​ ​impact​ ​on​ ​Christianity​ ​was​ ​long​ ​living​ ​and​ ​extremely​ ​influential.​ ​His
mission​ ​involved​ ​peace​ ​among​ ​nations,​ ​obedience​ ​and​ ​the​ ​road​ ​to​ ​unity.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​entirely
motivated​ ​to​ ​promote​ ​and​ ​work​ ​for​ ​peace,​ ​due​ ​to​ ​his​ ​experiences​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Army​ ​service​ ​as​ ​a
medic​ ​in​ ​WWI​ ​&​ ​WWII.​ ​Additionally,​ ​during​ ​the​ ​cuban​ ​missile​ ​crisis​ ​he​ ​helped​ ​prevent​ ​the
escalation​ ​of​ ​a​ ​world​ ​war​ ​in​ ​his​ ​plea,​ ​“We​ ​beg​ ​all​ ​governments​ ​not​ ​to​ ​remain​ ​deaf​ ​to​ ​his​ ​cry
of​ ​humanity”​ ​and​ ​“do​ ​all​ ​that​ ​is​ ​in​ ​their​ ​power​ ​to​ ​save​ ​peace”.​ ​ ​Furthermore,​ ​his​ ​motto
‘Obedientia​ ​et​ ​Pax”,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​obedience​ ​and​ ​peace,values​ ​that​ ​his​ ​life​ ​and​ ​actions​ ​served​ ​as
the​ ​epitome​ ​of.​ ​Most​ ​notable,​ ​was​ ​his​ ​role​ ​in​ ​providing​ ​support​ ​for​ ​disadvantaged​ ​workers​ ​in
Bergamo,​ ​an​ ​action​ ​inspired​ ​by​ ​works​ ​of​ ​mercy.​ ​His​ ​encyclical​ ​“Pacem​ ​in​ ​Terris”​ ​was​ ​the​ ​first
in​ ​history​ ​to​ ​have​ ​been​ ​addressed​ ​to​ ​"all​ ​men​ ​of​ ​good​ ​will,"​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​only​ ​the​ ​bishops​ ​and
laity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Roman​ ​Catholic​ ​Church.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​hailed​ ​as​ ​"one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​profound​ ​and
significant​ ​documents​ ​of​ ​our​ ​age”,​ ​as​ ​it​ ​emphasised​ ​peace​ ​among​ ​all​ ​“may​ ​Christ​ ​inflame​ ​the
desires​ ​of​ ​all​ ​men​ ​to​ ​break​ ​through​ ​the​ ​barriers​ ​which​ ​divide​ ​them”.​ ​Perhaps​ ​one​ ​of​ ​his​ ​most
profound​ ​impacts​ ​on​ ​Christianity​ ​was​ ​the​ ​calling​ ​of​ ​the​ ​second​ ​vatican​ ​council,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​16
documents​ ​that​ ​followed​ ​honoured​ ​Roncalli’s​ ​wishes​ ​for​ ​the​ ​church.​ ​The​ ​impacts​ ​that
followed​ ​Roncalli​ ​included​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​local​ ​languages​ ​in​ ​the​ ​church​ ​and​ ​the​ ​priest​ ​facing​ ​the
congregation,​ ​creating​ ​accessibility​ ​and​ ​inclusion.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​primary​ ​due​ ​to​ ​to​ ​Roncalli’s
determination​ ​that​ ​the​ ​church​ ​should​ ​‘leap​ ​forward’​ ​that​ ​he​ ​is​ ​considered​ ​to​ ​be​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the
most​ ​influential​ ​Christian​ ​leaders.

BIOETHICS​ ​-​ ​CHRISTIANITY

Ethical​ ​Teaching​:​ ​“Life​ ​begins​ ​at​ ​conception”​ ​-​ ​emphasises​ ​the​ ​sanctity​ ​of​ ​life

Scripture:​​ ​“Before​ ​I​ ​formed​ ​you​ ​in​ ​the​ ​womb​ ​I​ ​knew​ ​you”​ ​Jeremiah​ ​1:5

Decision:​​ ​This​ ​teaching​ ​can​ ​provide​ ​guidance​ ​to​ ​adherents​ ​on​ ​the​ ​bioethical​ ​issue​ ​of
abortion.​ ​The​ ​catholic​ ​church​ ​forbids​ ​abortion​ ​and​ ​views​ ​the​ ​action​ ​as​ ​morally​ ​wrong
because​ ​it​ ​is​ ​an​ ​interference​ ​with​ ​the​ ​natural​ ​sacred​ ​process​ ​of​ ​life.​ ​The​ ​catechism​ ​states
that​ ​‘human​ ​life​ ​must​ ​be​ ​respected​ ​and​ ​protected​ ​from​ ​the​ ​moment​ ​of​ ​conception’.
However,​ ​the​ ​Uniting​ ​church​ ​does​ ​not​ ​condone​ ​abortion​ ​but​ ​believes​ ​that​ ​the​ ​sacredness
of​ ​life​ ​means​ ​advocating​ ​for​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​women​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​the​ ​unborn​ ​child.​ ​Thus,​ ​if​ ​the
mother’s​ ​life​ ​is​ ​in​ ​critical​ ​danger,​ ​abortion​ ​is​ ​viewed​ ​as​ ​permissible.

Ethical​ ​Teaching:​​ ​“the​ ​prevention​ ​of​ ​suffering”​ ​-​ ​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​christian​ ​responsibility​ ​to​ ​prevent
or​ ​relieve​ ​suffering​ ​whenever​ ​possible

Scripture​:​ ​“He​ ​sent​ ​them​ ​out​ ​to​ ​proclaim​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​and​ ​to​ ​heal​ ​the​ ​sick”​ ​(Luke
9:2)

Decision:​ ​This​ ​bioethical​ ​teaching​ ​can​ ​be​ ​applied​ ​to​ ​the​ ​bioethical​ ​issue​ ​of​ ​organ​ ​donation
or​ ​transplant.​ ​Any​ ​type​ ​of​ ​intervention​ ​with​ ​human​ ​life​ ​should​ ​be​ ​undertaken​ ​with​ ​the​ ​idea
of​ ​saving​ ​another​ ​life.​ ​Organ​ ​donation​ ​is​ ​actively​ ​encouraged​ ​by​ ​all​ ​mainstream​ ​protestant
denominations,​ ​the​ ​catholic​ ​church​ ​and​ ​orthodox​ ​christians.​ ​As​ ​sacrificial​ ​love​ ​and​ ​helping
others​ ​in​ ​need​ ​is​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​foundation​ ​in​ ​Christianity,​ ​the​ ​decision​ ​is​ ​looked​ ​upon​ ​as​ ​a​ ​way
of​ ​following​ ​Jesus’​ ​example,​ ​an​ ​act​ ​of​ ​unconditional​ ​love.

Back-​ ​up​ ​ethical​ ​examples​:

“You​ ​Shall​ ​Not​ ​Kill”​ ​10​ ​commandments​ ​(Exodus​ ​20:13)​ ​Basic​ ​instruction​ ​for​ ​Christians​ ​which
relates​ ​to​ ​many​ ​bioethical​ ​issues

“Great​ ​Commandment”​ ​-​ ​According​ ​to​ ​Jesus,​ ​loving​ ​God,​ ​loving​ ​your​ ​neighbour​ ​and​ ​loving
yourself​ ​are​ ​the​ ​greatest​ ​commandment​ ​(Matthew​ ​22:36-40)
“Stewardship​ ​of​ ​Creation”​ ​-​ ​Ecological​ ​balance​ ​of​ ​the​ ​natural​ ​world​ ​with​ ​its​ ​countless​ ​species
of​ ​living​ ​creations.​ ​Exploitations​ ​and​ ​manipulations​ ​that​ ​would​ ​destroy​ ​natural​ ​balance​ ​or
degrade​ ​God’s​ ​created​ ​world​ ​should​ ​be​ ​prohibited.​ ​“In​ ​the​ ​beginning​ ​God​ ​created​ ​the
heavens​ ​and​ ​the​ ​earth”​ ​(Genesis​ ​1)

Describe​ ​two​ ​ethical​ ​teachings​ ​on​ ​bioethics​ ​(4​ ​marks)

The​ ​ethical​ ​teaching​ ​that​ ​life​ ​begins​ ​at​ ​conception,​ ​emphasises​ ​the​ ​sanctity​ ​of​ ​life​ ​“Before​ ​I
formed​ ​you​ ​in​ ​the​ ​womb​ ​I​ ​knew​ ​you”​ ​Jeremiah​ ​1:5.​ ​This​ ​belief​ ​teaches​ ​that​ ​all​ ​life​ ​is​ ​sacred
and​ ​every​ ​human​ ​was​ ​created​ ​in​ ​the​ ​image​ ​of​ ​God.​ ​Additionally,​ ​another​ ​ethical​ ​teaching​ ​is
the​ ​prevention​ ​of​ ​suffering.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​christian​ ​responsibility​ ​to​ ​prevent​ ​or​ ​relieve​ ​suffering
whenever​ ​possible,​ ​“he​ ​sent​ ​them​ ​out​ ​to​ ​proclaim​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​and​ ​to​ ​heal​ ​the​ ​sick”
(Luke​ ​9:2).

Explain​ ​how​ ​Christian​ ​ethical​ ​teachings​ ​are​ ​applied​ ​to​ ​bioethical​ ​issues​ ​(6​ ​marks)
The​ ​ethical​ ​teaching​ ​that​ ​life​ ​begins​ ​at​ ​conception,​ ​emphasises​ ​the​ ​sanity​ ​of​ ​life​ ​“Before​ ​I
formed​ ​you​ ​in​ ​the​ ​womb​ ​I​ ​knew​ ​you”​ ​Jeremiah​ ​1:5.​ ​This​ ​teaching​ ​can​ ​provide​ ​guidance​ ​to
adherents​ ​on​ ​the​ ​bioethical​ ​issue​ ​of​ ​abortion.​ ​The​ ​catholic​ ​church​ ​forbids​ ​abortion​ ​and​ ​views
the​ ​action​ ​as​ ​morally​ ​wrong​ ​because​ ​it​ ​is​ ​an​ ​interference​ ​with​ ​the​ ​natural​ ​sacred​ ​process​ ​of
life.​ ​The​ ​catechism​ ​states​ ​that​ ​‘human​ ​life​ ​must​ ​be​ ​respected​ ​and​ ​protected​ ​from​ ​the
moment​ ​of​ ​conception’.​ ​However,​ ​the​ ​Uniting​ ​church​ ​does​ ​not​ ​condone​ ​abortion​ ​but​ ​believes
that​ ​the​ ​sacredness​ ​of​ ​life​ ​means​ ​advocating​ ​for​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​women​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​the​ ​unborn
child.​ ​Thus,​ ​if​ ​the​ ​mother’s​ ​life​ ​is​ ​in​ ​critical​ ​danger,​ ​abortion​ ​is​ ​viewed​ ​as​ ​permissible.​ ​The
ethical​ ​teaching​ ​of​ ​preventing​ ​suffering,​ ​is​ ​a​ ​christian​ ​responsibility​ ​to​ ​relieve​ ​suffering
whenever​ ​possible​ ​“and​ ​he​ ​sent​ ​them​ ​out​ ​to​ ​proclaim​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​and​ ​to​ ​heal​ ​the
sick”​ ​(Luke​ ​9:2).​ ​This​ ​bioethical​ ​teaching​ ​can​ ​be​ ​applied​ ​to​ ​the​ ​bioethical​ ​issue​ ​of​ ​organ
donation​ ​or​ ​transplant.​ ​Any​ ​type​ ​of​ ​intervention​ ​with​ ​human​ ​life​ ​should​ ​be​ ​undertaken​ ​with
the​ ​idea​ ​of​ ​saving​ ​another​ ​life.​ ​Organ​ ​donation​ ​is​ ​actively​ ​encouraged​ ​by​ ​all​ ​mainstream
protestant​ ​denominations,​ ​the​ ​catholic​ ​church​ ​and​ ​orthodox​ ​christians.​ ​As​ ​sacrificial​ ​love​ ​and
helping​ ​others​ ​in​ ​need​ ​is​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​foundation​ ​in​ ​christianity,​ ​the​ ​decision​ ​is​ ​looked​ ​upon​ ​as​ ​a
way​ ​of​ ​following​ ​Jesus’​ ​example,​ ​an​ ​act​ ​of​ ​undying​ ​love.
 SIGNIFICANT​ ​PRACTICE​ ​-​ ​BAPTISM

Syllabus
● Describe​ ​one​ ​significant​ ​practice
● demonstrate​ ​how​ ​this​ ​practice​ ​expresses​ ​the​ ​beliefs​ ​of​ ​Judaism
● Analyse​ ​the​ ​significance​ ​for​ ​both​ ​the​ ​individual​ ​and​ ​community

Describe:
Baptism​ ​is​ ​an​ ​initiation​ ​rite​ ​accepted​ ​by​ ​major​ ​Christians​ ​variants​ ​with​ ​the​ ​exception​ ​of
variants​ ​like​ ​The​ ​Salvation​ ​Army.​ ​While​ ​some​ ​variants​ ​only​ ​baptise​ ​adults,​ ​most​ ​accept
baptism​ ​of​ ​infants​ ​and​ ​children​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​The​ ​candidate​ ​has​ ​either​ ​godparents​ ​or​ ​sponsors.
The​ ​rite​ ​involves​ ​water​ ​which​ ​is​ ​either​ ​sprinkled​ ​on​ ​a​ ​candidate​ ​or​ ​the​ ​candidate​ ​is​ ​fully
immersed​ ​in​ ​a​ ​body​ ​of​ ​water.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​accompanied​ ​by​ ​prayers,​ ​blessings​ ​and​ ​Scripture​ ​and
words​ ​in​ ​which​ ​the​ ​candidate,​ ​or​ ​parents​ ​and​ ​godparents​ ​on​ ​an​ ​infant’s​ ​behalf,​ ​undertakes​ ​to
grow​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Christian​ ​life.​ ​Baptism​ ​represents​ ​the​ ​initial​ ​formal​ ​and​ ​public​ ​participation​ ​of​ ​the
candidate​ ​in​ ​the​ ​life​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Church​ ​and​ ​in​ ​Christ’s​ ​death​ ​and​ ​resurrection.

- Baptism​ ​is​ ​a​ ​significant​ ​practice​ ​followed​ ​by​ ​most​ ​Christian​ ​denominations.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​used
as​ ​a​ ​rite​ ​of​ ​initiation​ ​for​ ​people​ ​wishing​ ​to​ ​join​ ​the​ ​Christian​ ​community.
- The​ ​core​ ​elements​ ​of​ ​the​ ​rite​ ​of​ ​baptism​ ​are​ ​the​ ​immersion​ ​in​ ​water​ ​or​ ​the​ ​sprinkling
or​ ​pouring​ ​of​ ​water​ ​and​ ​the​ ​profession​ ​of​ ​faith​ ​by,​ ​or​ ​on​ ​behalf​ ​of,​ ​the​ ​person​ ​being
baptised.
- the​ ​core​ ​elements​ ​of​ ​baptism​ ​in​ ​water​ ​and​ ​a​ ​profession​ ​of​ ​faith​ ​are​ ​evident​ ​across​ ​the
spectrum​ ​of​ ​Christianity.
- Other​ ​elements​ ​that​ ​are​ ​frequently​ ​included​ ​are​ ​readings​ ​from​ ​the​ ​bible,​ ​a​ ​sermon​ ​or
homily​ ​from​ ​the​ ​presiding​ ​minister,​ ​the​ ​tracing​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sign​ ​of​ ​the​ ​cross​ ​on​ ​the​ ​forehead
of​ ​the​ ​person​ ​being​ ​baptised,​ ​anointing​ ​with​ ​oil,​ ​prayers​ ​for​ ​the​ ​candidate,​ ​clothing​ ​in
a​ ​white​ ​garment​ ​and​ ​presentation​ ​of​ ​a​ ​lighted​ ​baptismal​ ​candle.
- ·​​ ​baptism​ ​is​ ​a​ ​highly​ ​complex​ ​practice​ ​for​ ​all​ ​Christians​ ​for​ ​the​ ​affirmation​ ​of​ ​significant
beliefs​ ​and​ ​the​ ​application​ ​of​ ​these​ ​beliefs​ ​in​ ​the​ ​life​ ​of​ ​adherents.​ ​It​ ​remains​ ​a
dynamic​ ​and​ ​relevant​ ​practice​ ​in​ ​modern​ ​society​ ​and​ ​holds​ ​great​ ​significance​ ​for​ ​the
individual​ ​and​ ​the​ ​community

Beliefs​ ​expressed​ ​in​ ​practice:

Salvation
- Salvation​ ​means​ ​“to​ ​be​ ​saved​ ​or​ ​rescued”
- Christian​ ​belief​ ​that​ ​human​ ​beings​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​delivered​ ​or​ ​saved​ ​from​ ​suffering​ ​and
sin
- Many​ ​denominations​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​Baptism​ ​is​ ​necessary​ ​for​ ​salvation
 -

Trinity
- Christians​ ​believe​ ​in​ ​one​ ​God​ ​as​ ​three​ ​persons:​ ​Father,​ ​Son​ ​and​ ​Holy​ ​Spirit
- Through​ ​baptism,​ ​christians​ ​enter​ ​and​ ​affirm​ ​their​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​god
- New​ ​testament​ ​“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”​ ​(Matthew​ ​28:19)
- Numerous​ ​Christians​ ​are​ ​baptised​ ​by​ ​these​ ​words
- The​ ​symbols​ ​used​ ​during​ ​the​ ​rite​ ​of​ ​baptism​ ​also​ ​express​ ​significant​ ​beliefs​ ​of​ ​the
Christian​ ​tradition.​ ​The​ ​most​ ​obvious​ ​of​ ​these​ ​is​ ​the​ ​sign​ ​of​ ​the​ ​cross​ ​which​ ​is​ ​used​ ​in
a​ ​number​ ​of​ ​places​ ​in​ ​the​ ​rite.​ ​This​ ​simple​ ​symbol​ ​and​ ​ritual​ ​action​ ​expresses​ ​the
Christian​ ​belief​ ​in​ ​the​ ​triune​ ​God​ ​which​ ​is​ ​at​ ​the​ ​heart​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Christian​ ​faith.

Water​ ​-​ ​Belief​ ​in​ ​God​ ​as​ ​creator

- The​ ​use​ ​of​ ​water​ ​as​ ​the​ ​central​ ​symbol​ ​reflects​ ​the​ ​belief​ ​in​ ​God​ ​as​ ​the​ ​creator​ ​and
humankind’s​ ​dependence​ ​on​ ​God
- Cleansing​ ​and​ ​purity
- Immersion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​body​ ​into​ ​the​ ​water​ ​symbolises​ ​dying​ ​and​ ​being​ ​reborn​ ​again,​ ​rising
to​ ​new​ ​life​ ​with​ ​christ.​ ​This​ ​represents​ ​the​ ​belief​ ​in​ ​the​ ​life,​ ​death​ ​and​ ​resurrection​ ​of
Jesus
- It​ ​calls​ ​to​ ​mind​ ​images​ ​of​ ​the​ ​accounts​ ​of​ ​creation​ ​(Genesis​ ​1:2),​ ​the​ ​flood​ ​(Genesis
7-8)​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Exodus.​ ​(Exodus​ ​14).
- ​ ​The​ ​symbol​ ​of​ ​water​ ​reflects​ ​the​ ​belief​ ​in​ ​rebirth​ ​and​ ​in​ ​cleansing​ ​from​ ​sin​ ​which​ ​are
at​ ​the​ ​heart​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Christian​ ​gospel

Baptismal​ ​candle
- “I​ ​am​ ​the​ ​light​ ​of​ ​the​ ​word”​ ​John​ ​8:12
- Light​ ​represents​ ​doing​ ​what​ ​is​ ​good,​ ​showing​ ​followers​ ​the​ ​way​ ​in​ ​which​ ​to​ ​live​ ​as
true​ ​believers​ ​of​ ​Christ
- Light​ ​of​ ​christ​ ​flickering​ ​in​ ​the​ ​darkness
- Baptismal​ ​candle​ ​is​ ​lit​ ​from​ ​the​ ​paschal​ ​candle
Oil​ ​and​ ​white​ ​garment
- The​ ​anointing​ ​with​ ​the​ ​oil​ ​of​ ​Chrism​ ​is​ ​another​ ​important​ ​symbol.​ ​Oil​ ​is​ ​a​ ​traditional
symbol​ ​for​ ​healing​ ​and​ ​strength.​ ​In​ ​baptism,​ ​Christians​ ​are​ ​anointed​ ​with​ ​oil​ ​as​ ​a​ ​sign
of​ ​their​ ​mandate​ ​to​ ​share​ ​in​ ​the​ ​ministry​ ​of​ ​Jesus.
- ​ ​The​ ​use​ ​of​ ​a​ ​white​ ​garment​ ​symbolises​ ​the​ ​purity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​baptised​ ​person​ ​and
expresses​ ​the​ ​idea​ ​that​ ​in​ ​baptism​ ​the​ ​individual​ ​is​ ​cleansed​ ​from​ ​original​ ​sin.

Significance​ ​to​ ​individual

- Generates​ ​a​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​God
- Rite​ ​of​ ​initiation​ ​into​ ​the​ ​christian​ ​community
- Feel​ ​connected​ ​to​ ​a​ ​group​ ​who​ ​shares​ ​and​ ​supports​ ​similar​ ​belief
- Welcomed​ ​into​ ​the​ ​christian​ ​community
- Assurance​ ​that​ ​they​ ​have​ ​received​ ​forgiveness​ ​and​ ​mercy​ ​of​ ​God
- Baptism​ ​is​ ​also​ ​an​ ​authentic​ ​rite​ ​of​ ​passage,​ ​for​ ​the​ ​individual​ ​there​ ​is​ ​significance​ ​in
the​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​belonging​ ​experienced,​ ​the​ ​sharing​ ​with​ ​a​ ​community​ ​of​ ​common​ ​mind
and​ ​faith.

Significance​ ​to​ ​community

- Allows​ ​faith​ ​to​ ​grow​ ​and​ ​develop
- Community​ ​can​ ​re-establish​ ​ ​their​ ​beliefs​ ​through​ ​experiencing​ ​the​ ​certainty​ ​of​ ​others
- It​ ​marks​ ​a​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​belonging​ ​to​ ​the​ ​community,​ ​a​ ​sharing​ ​in​ ​the​ ​community​​ ​and​ ​all
it​ ​offers,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​commitment​ ​to​ ​follow​ ​the​ ​teachings​​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community.​ ​ ​Therefore,​ ​it
is​ ​a​ ​calling​ ​to​ ​be​ ​faithful​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Gospel,​ ​to​ ​embrace​ ​the​ ​life​ ​and​ ​teachings​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​in
word​ ​and​ ​action.​ ​Luke​ ​18:​ ​22​ ​“Come​ ​Follow​ ​Me”.​ ​Thus​ ​the​ ​act​ ​of​ ​Baptism​ ​unites​ ​the
believers​ ​in​ ​Christ​ ​and​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Christian​ ​community.
- The​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​baptism​ ​is​ ​an​ ​ancient​ ​ritual​ ​is​ ​significant​ ​for​ ​the​ ​individual​ ​because​ ​they
walk​ ​the​ ​same​ ​path​ ​and​ ​share​ ​the​ ​same​ ​rite​ ​that​ ​has​ ​been​ ​practiced​ ​among
Christians​ ​since​ ​the​ ​earliest​ ​days​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Church.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​also​ ​important​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Christian
community​ ​as​ ​a​ ​whole​ ​because​ ​in​ ​celebrating​ ​each​ ​rite​ ​of​ ​baptism​ ​they​ ​are
perpetuating​ ​the​ ​ancient​ ​tradition​ ​and​ ​honouring​ ​the​ ​intention​ ​of​ ​Jesus​ ​and​ ​the​ ​early
disciples.
- ​ ​The​ ​community​ ​is​ ​invigorated​ ​when​ ​it​ ​is​ ​engaged​ ​in​ ​the​ ​task​ ​of​ ​the​ ​gospel​ ​and
enriched​ ​by​ ​the​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​a​ ​new​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community.
- Godparents​ ​and​ ​community​ ​provide​ ​support​ ​and​ ​development​ ​of​ ​faith