Baptism is a ritual performed by many churches. Each church has a meaning and reason behind the ceremony and beliefs involved but for the Catholic Church it is a means of entering into a community with Christ, with fellow followers, and a gift full of grace and faith. It is the first initiation into the Catholic faith followed by Holy Communion and Confirmation. Baptism is the Door to Gods House.
Baptism is not only a means for children but since the Second Vatican Council reformed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in 1972; it has been reintroduced for Adults to enter into or carry on the mission of what Christ wanted for his church. Baptism is performed through many symbols and rituals which make up the elements and commitments made to God, through Gods instructions performed in the Church. For the purpose of this research essay the Baptism written about is based on infant baptism.
Theology of the Sacrament.
The sacrament of Baptism is the beginning of a new life with Christ in it. Baptism is grounded in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism means to plunge or merge; it is the beginning of a new life with Christ our savior being the main means of connecting ourselves with faith.
The effect received by being baptized into a new life is Grace and a birth into a new life in Christ, first recipients must go into the water which symbolizes dying and comes out of the water symbolizing new life. This is the process of salvation for the person and also for the Church.
Sacramentality means "The Presence of God ". By accepting a life with God, people who are baptized are at the beginning of their journey to a life full of grace with God in it.
Baptism is the sacrament of faith. Faith needs the community of believers "the concept of community is important in sacramental theology. The sacraments are celebrated in public rituals so they have a certain social significance "4.