Rev. Fr. Gheevarghese John; M.Div, M.Ed�Vicar, St. Luke the Evangelist Orthodox Mission Church
The Holy Sacraments �of the �Orthodox Christian Church
Baptism
Baptism
Jewish Tradition
Dead Sea Scrolls describe the practice of baptism as a ritual practiced by Jews of that time. At present, Jewish people practice baptism when a male or females converts to Judaism. (Jewish Literacy, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, 1991)
Baptism
Old Testament
Leviticus 16:4
4 He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on. �
Leviticus 16:23-24
23 “Then Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of meeting, shall take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there. 24 And he shall wash his body with water in a holy place, put on his garments, come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people.�
Baptism
New Testament
John the Baptist baptized for repentance (Luke 3:3). This followed the paradigm of cleansing as in the OT but with the emphasis on the cleansing from sins. It was so important that Jesus was even baptized (Matt. 3:13-17).�
The completion of baptism came with the advent of Christ where one is baptized into his death (Romans 6:3) and brought into newness of life (Romans 6:4).
Baptism
Early Church
Acts 11:13–14 (The Household of Cornelius)
13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’
Acts 16:15 (The Household of Lydia)
15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
Acts 16:33 (The Philippian Jailor’s Household)
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
Baptism
Early Church
Acts 18:8 (The Household of Crispus)
8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
1 Corinthians 1:16 (The Household of Stephen)
16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.
Noah’s whole ‘household’ was taken into the ark with him (Genesis 7:1); Abraham had his whole household circumcised (Genesis 17:23), and specifically his son Isaac when he was eight days old (Genesis 21:4); the whole household of every family was taken out of Egypt, and God’s institution of the Passover specifically included the children (Exodus 12:24–28).
Baptism
Theosis-Formed into the Image and Likeness of God
Baptism is not a “work” but a “process of faith” that is initiated at the time of baptism. �
For the Orthodox baptism does not “secure” anything; it only initiates. (2 Corinthians 13:5)�
If Baptism needs logic and reason to be “real-baptism” as the Heterodox claim, that is, profession/declaration of faith then that baptism is based on the work of man, not God’s.(Ephesian 2:8)�
Child Baptism or Adult Baptism are both based on the directive of continuous baptism.
Baptism
�Thank you for listening.
Please feel free to ask any questions!