Baptism & Chrismation

[Oblio]

The subject of Chrismation arose in another thread I thought I would post here for edification.


The Example of Jesus

Theodore of Mopsuestia wrote, "As soon as you come up from the water you are given a pure white garment, It is a sign of the new life you are to live as children of the resurrection, and of the purity and honesty that should distinguish you. Then you come immediately to the bishop to receive the final sealing which completes and perfects your initiation and empowers you with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In this you follow the the example of Jesus Himself, Who was baptized in the Jordan in order to make baptism a source of holiness for us. When He came up from the water the Holy Spirit came down and rested on Him, in the form of a dove". As soon as we come up from the waters of baptism the same Holy Spirit descends upon us through the Sacrament of Chrismation.


St. Cyril of Jerusalem said, "When the water washes the body, the Holy Spirit sets His seal upon the soul, in order that with our hearts spiritually purified and our bodies washed we may approach God. Thou therefore who are about to descend into the waters, do not think merely of water, but by the action of the Holy Spirit receive thy salvation: for without both water and the Spirit though canst not become perfect.

We Are Made New "Christs"

St. Cyril insists that it is only the interior annointing with the Holy Spirit that can make us Christians. For when the Holy Spirit is "poured out" upon our souls we become "Christs" ("annointed ones") in all truth. He continues, "He (Jesus) bathed Himself in the river Jordan, and having imparted the fragarence of His divinity to the waters, he came up from them, and the Holy Ghost in substance lighted upon Him, like resting upon like. In the same manner to you also, after you had come up from the pool of the sacred stream, was given the unction, the antitype of that wherewith Christ was annointed; and this is the Holy Ghost ..."

These are the Sacraments - Coniaris [1981 pg 54]

 

[beardly]

The Bible tells us that to be saved we need to put our faith in Jesus. There are no qualifications for baptism at all. It does tell us that baptism is something that we are instructed to do as Christians.

-db

 

[Oblio]

The Bible tells us that to be saved we need to put our faith in Jesus. There are no qualifications for baptism at all. It does tell us that baptism is something that we are instructed to do as Christians.

I'd like to discuss Baptism and Chrismation on this thread, not the synergism between faith and works that is woven throughout the Bible.

 

[beardly]

sorry, I must have mis-read what you were posting about

-db

 

[pmarquette]

Chrismation is the name given in Orthodox and Eastern-rite Catholic churches to the sacrament known as confirmation in the Latin Rite Catholic churches. It is so called because of the holy oil, or chrism, which has been consecrated by a bishop and with which the recipient of the sacrament is anointed, as the priest speaks the words, "the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit." http://en2.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrismation

I have never heard the term " chrismation " before , though it is consistant with what I was taught in Confirmation class ...

Jesus told Nicodemus : " ecept you be born again of water ( baptism - original sin - repentance ) and of spirit ( confirmed , empowered by the Holy Spirit - Acts 19.5 ) you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven .

 

[Rafael]

The Bible shows at least two incidents where the baptism of the Holy Ghost and the baptism of water were seperate events. However, I think it would be wrong to restrict God and say that the Holy Spirit could not come at the same time as water baptism.

Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

 

[Philip]

Don't overlook this passage:

Acts 8:14-17 (RSVA)
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Sama'ria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit​

.

 

[Sinai]

As far as I have been able to determine, virtually all Christians agree that one should be baptized for at least the following reasons:
1. Baptism is an ordinance that Christ commanded believers to do;
2. In order to be obedient to Christ's command; and
3. As a prerequisite to church membership, and as a confession to others of our acceptance of Jesus as our savior.

However, you will find that different Christian bodies differ on other important points. Some think it is a requirement for salvation, while others say it is not a prerequisite for being saved. Most scriptures omit baptism when discussing what is required before one can be saved, but there are a few scriptures that appear (in most English translations) to support it, though a closer inspection of the original Greek texts generally undermine that support and make it more likely that baptism is not required as a precondition for salvation.

Similarly, some denominations use only believer's baptism, while others also practice infant baptism. Some Christians baptise by immersion, while others sprinkle--and some do it both ways.

 

[Polycarp1]

Chrismation is don in the Episcopal Church as an integral part of Holy Baptism:

The Baptism
Each candidate is presented by name to the Celebrant, or to an assisting
priest or deacon, who then immerses, or pours water upon, the candidate, saying

N, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When this action has been completed for all candidates, the Bishop or
Priest, at a place in full sight of the congregation, prays over them,
saying
Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

Then the Bishop or Priest places a hand on the person's head, marking on the forehead the sign of the cross [using Chrism if desired] and saying to each one

N, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever. Amen.

Or this action may be done immediately after the administration of the water and before the preceding prayer.
(pp. 307-308, Book of Common Prayer)

We also have confirmation, in the Western Tradition, by the bishop, at an age of accountability:

Then the Bishop says
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in these your servants the covenant you have made with them at their Baptism. Send them forth in the power of that Spirit to perform the service you set before them; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

For Confirmation

The Bishop lays hands upon each one and says

Strengthen, O Lord, your servant N with your Holy Spirit; empower him for your service; and sustain him all the days of his life. Amen.

or this

Defend, O Lord, your servant N with your heavenly grace, that he may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until he comes to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.[/i]

(p. 418, BCP)

 

[pmarquette]

If your quotes are correct , baptism and confirmation , were done at the same time ?Consider why ? Perhaps due to the persecution , by Rome ..... Then why are these two " sacraments / ordinaces " in the present day by " impartations " , 12-14 years apart ?

Baptism by minister of infant ( covering / original sin ) and confirmation of teen by bishop ; age of reason ; by the laying on of hands - Acts 19.5-6