- published: 19 Dec 2011
- views: 117261
Baptism (from the Greek noun Βάπτισμα baptisma; itself derived from baptismos, washing) is a Christian rite of admission (or adoption), almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also a particular church tradition. Baptism has been called a sacrament and an ordinance of Jesus Christ.
In some traditions, baptism is also called christening, but for others the word "christening" is reserved for the baptism of infants.
The New Testament reports that Jesus was baptized. The usual form of baptism among the earliest Christians was for the naked candidate to be immersed totally (submersion) or partially (standing or kneeling in water while water was poured on him or her). While John the Baptist's use of a deep river for his baptism suggests immersion, pictorial and archaeological evidence of Christian baptism from the 3rd century onward indicates that a normal form was to have the candidate stand in water while water was poured over the upper body. Other common forms of baptism now in use include pouring water three times on the forehead.
The summer breeze made ripples on the pond
It rattled through the reeds, and the willow trees beyond
Daddy in his good hat and mama in her Sunday dress
Watched with pride as I stood there, in the water up to my chest
And the preacher spoke about the cleansing blood
As I sank my toes into that cool East Texas mud
And it was down with the old man, up with the new
Raised to walk in the ways of light and truth
I didn't see no angels, just a few saints on the shore
But, I felt like a newborn baby, cradled up in the arms of the Lord
Amazing grace, oh how sweet the sound
There was glory in the air, there was dinner on the ground
And my sins, which were many were washed away and gone
Along with the Buffalo Nickel, I forgot to leave at home
That seemed like such a small, small price to pay
For the blessed peace of mind that came to me that day
It was down with the old man, up with the new
Raised to walk in the ways of light and truth
I didn't see no angels, just a few saints on the shore
But, I felt like a newborn baby, cradled up in the arms of the Lord
This road is long and dusty, sometimes the soul, it must be cleansed
And I long to feel that water rushing over me again
I didn't see no angels, just a few saints on the shore
I felt like a newborn baby, cradled up in the arms of the Lord