8.1 Holy Baptism with water

8.1 Holy Baptism with water The water, the outward sign of inner purification, requires consecration to lift it up out of the domain of the profane and into that of the holy. It is therefore consecrated in the name of the triune God prior to the act of baptism. The baptising minister then uses the consecrated water to make the sign of the cross three times on the forehead of the person being baptised, and—under laying on of hands—baptises him in the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The sign of the cross symbolises salvation in Christ and the redemption He effected through His sacrificial death. Making the sign of the cross three times on the forehead of the person being baptised is a refer- ence to the triune God. 8.1.5 Prerequisites for receiving Holy Baptism with water Anyone can receive Holy Baptism with water. In the New Apostolic Church it is administered by an Apostle or priestly minister to both children and adults. The prerequisite is the believer’s profession of faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel. When children are baptised, the parents, or persons responsible for the religious upbringing of the children, must profess their faith in Jesus Christ and vow to raise the baptised child in accordance with the gospel. The prac- tice of baptising children is based upon the insight that the blessings of God should be made available to them. They too require the grace of the Lord, and the kingdom of God is open to them (Mark 10: 14). SUMMARY The two essential elements of Holy Baptism with water are the water and the word in the Trinitarian formula. The water is consecrated in the name of the triune God. Thereafter the baptising minister uses the consecrated water to make the sign of the cross three times on the forehead of the person being baptised, and baptises in the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (8.1.4) 317 8 The sacraments Any human being can receive Holy Baptism with water. The prerequisite is profession of faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel. (8.1.5) When children are baptised, those who bear responsibility for their religious upbringing must profess their own faith in Jesus Christ and vow to raise the baptised child in accordance with the gospel. (8.1.5) 8.1.6 The effects of Holy Baptism with water Through Holy Baptism with water, a person who believes in Jesus Christ and professes Him is incorporated into the church of Christ and thereby has fel- lowship with Jesus Christ. Holy Baptism with water performed in the name of the Trinity is a binding element among Christians. Holy Baptism with water—similar to circumcision in the old covenant—is a mark of the covenant. Through it, a human being is adopted into the new covenant and can then receive further marks of the covenant: access to Holy Sealing is open to those who are baptised. Those baptised in the New Apostolic Church are entitled to partake regularly in Holy Communion. The baptised shares in the death of Jesus Christ and in His new life. Seen in a spiritual sense, he partakes in the experience of Jesus Christ. Just as Christ died on the cross for the sins of mankind, so the baptised is to be “dead indeed to sin” by renouncing it. Baptism incorporates the believer into Christ’s activity of redemption such that Christ’s death on Golgotha also be- comes the “death” of the baptised: this signifies the end of life in the condi- tion of remoteness from God and the beginning of life in Christ. Baptism imparts powers to wage the battle against sin (Romans 6: 3–8; Colossians 2: 12–13). Baptism is “putting on Christ”. With it, the first step on the path to renew- al of the inner man has been taken: “For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3: 27). This image constitutes the basis for abandoning one’s old way of life and “putting on” the virtues of Christ. It describes that which comes to expression in the term “repentance”, namely 318