...beliefs about their religion” How does this statement explain the significance of baptism for the Christian community and the individual? Baptism allows adherents of Christianity to acquire a deeper understanding and resonate with the beliefs of their religion. Baptism refers to the religious rite of passage involving the application of water in association with an individual’s admission to the Christian Church. It is a significant rite practiced by a majority of Christian adherents with the exception of Quakers and followers of The Salvation Army. In many denominations, baptism is performed on young children and is accompanied by name-giving, referred to as ‘Infant Baptism’. These denominational families include Catholics, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians and other Reformed denominations, Methodists and some Nazarenes, as well as the Moravian Church. Another form of baptism involves the initiation of adults and is referred to as ‘Believers Baptism’ practised by a minority of Christians including Protestants and followers of the Pentecostal and Baptists sect. A key concept in believer's baptism is that a credible profession of faith must be given by the recipient before baptism. The American Baptist Church, for example, declares: "We insist that baptism be administered only to those who have the maturity to understand its profound significance: resurrection to new life in Christ”. All major denominations use water as a part of the purification...
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...Don Malarkey 2-9-12 Significance of the Lamb The Adoration of the Lamb is Jan Van Eyck’s greatest accomplishments of a Renaissance painter. It was painted with oils in the third decade of the 15th century (Glover). This painting definitely has a lot going on in it. The painting is consisted of twelve panels where the outside panels can either be closed or open. There are many spiritual aspects in the painting; from the Holy family, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus; to Adam, Eve, and plenty of saints. The representation of these earthly and otherworldly figures shows the aspects of this world and the next. The lower middle piece physically reflects this with the horizon as the divider between the worlds. The saints and other peoples on the ground represent the present and our actual life, the dove in the sky and the rays from the sun represent the heavens and the afterlife (Glover). The lower middle panel is the most intricate piece in this painting. The Lamb, located on top of the altar, carries a large amount of significance which this paper will go into detail. Christ is represented twice in this painting. Christ is shown as the Celebrating Priest in the upper level seated on the throne with his crown (Philip 61). The second representation of Christ is the Lamb of God being sacrificed on the altar. Its position on the hill indicates how the Host is elevated at the consecration. It serves a double purpose in that it shows the importance of the lamb being above everyone else (Philip...
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...professor Subject Date Introduction Anselm has triangulated the whole concept of salvation on the concept of incarnation of the person of Jesus Christ, the holy son of God who was born of a woman for the sake of the plan of salvation of mankind, and the idea of atonement of sins that was the result of the death of Christ. His disposition about the whole plan of salvation, as believed by majority in the Christian faith, is tethered on the person of Jesus Christ though the father - God the creator. The significance of Anselm’s philosophical view of “satisfaction” as a religious concept has been at the centre of many theological studies in the globe in explaining the significance, and process of atonement, and the whole idea of incarnation of Jesus Christ as a mortal being (Benett 102). Throughout this work, the theological concept of incarnation and atonement will be discussed through the prism of Anselm’s theoretical foundation on satisfaction. Precisely, the paper would limit its discourse to understand the nexus between these two very important religious principles within the context of satisfaction dispositions as disclosed by St. Anselm. Anselm’s dispositions on satisfaction The restoration of the solemnity and nobility of God, according to Anselm’s views, was only possible through the sacrificial offering of God’s own son – Jesus Christ. Anselm makes an admission that the moral decadence of mankind did erode the relationship of mankind and the Godhead. The honour of God...
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...controversial in terms of significance. There are those who are of the view that baptism is only meant for infants. This is seen as a way of ushering them into the kingdom of God and the Christina faith. For others however, the baptism for infants is symbolic and there is need for a person to undergo a second baptism as an adult. The second baptism is said to signify the aspect of being born again and washing off the sinful nature. This debate has been raging for many yeas causing confusion in the Christian circles. This discussion seeks to examine both sides of the debate and ascertain the Biblical position on the issue. The Concept of Baptism Perhaps before looking at the concept of infant baptism versus adult baptism, it may be crucial to look at the entire concept as a whole. Baptism as concept is an act of cleansing that is done for purposes of washing off one’s sinful nature. It was therefore done symbolically to signify that one’s past has been washed off. One was therefore considered a new creature after going through baptism . The New Testament has covered quite extensively the issue of baptism. It begins with the Jesus Christ the Son of God. He approached John the Baptist and requested that he (John) should baptize Him. When Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened and God the father expressed His pleasure on His son (Matthew 3: 13). In the book of Ephesians, Paul also talks about the great baptism, which seeks to unite the body of Christ (the church) as one. The...
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.....................................................................................................3 ORIENTATION AND CONTEXT......................................................................3 SIGNIFICANCE OF TEXT .............................................................................3 HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL SETTING ...........................................................4 LITERARY CONTEXT .................................................................................4 PRESENTATION OF TEXT ...............................................................................6 SCRIPTURE PASSAGE .................................................................................6 TEXT CRITICAL NOTES .............................................................................7 OUTLINE OF PASSAGE ...............................................................................7 PHILIP HEADS TO GAZA…………………………………………………… 9 PHILIP EXPLAINS THE GOSPEL MESSAGE………………………………10 THE EUNUCH IS BAPTIZED………………………………………………...11 PHILIPP CONTINUES SPREADING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE……………12 CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………13 SUMMATION…………………………………………………………..13 APPLICATION…………………………………………………………15 WORK CITED…………………………………………………………………...17 INTRODUCTION ORIENTATION AND CONTEXT Significance of Text Acts 8 opens with the stoning of Stephen, a Grecian Jews who we first meet in chapter six. The stoning of Stephan begins a severe persecution against the church in Jerusalem and as a result...
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...proclamation of the significance of Jesus, and call to repentance. In the first part of the sermon, Paul addresses Israel’s ancestors to show that the history of Israel was planned and ordered by God for preparing the Savior of Israel. Then Paul preached the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus was to fulfill God’s promise, in the second part of the message....
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...Jesus was the son of God. Jesus Christ came to Earth to live among mankind and to teach and minister to us. Jesus provided mankind with the hope of everlasting life and happiness if only we lived by God’s word. Jesus taught us that life was a gift and through his teachings he was able to show us that God only wants the best for us and if we chose to live by his word we will have this. Jesus was sent to live among mankind by God. He was born to the Virgin Mary and to Joseph a carpenter. God knew that if Jesus was born to a virgin it would show that Jesus was pure and truly from God. Joseph didn’t want to marry Mary once he found out she was pregnant, but when God appeared to him in his dreams he knew that Jesus was going to save us from our sins and decided to stay married to her. Once it was time for Jesus to be born, his poor parents could find no place to have the baby and resorted to Jesus being born in the stable. However, this was the best decision because it showed that Jesus came in poverty and with humility so that Jesus could identify with weakest among us. As Jesus grew up, he began to teach to people. His disciples were his primary focus, for they were to carry on his message to those that he could not come in contact with. Jesus had to perform miracles to prove to nonbelievers that there was a God and that God truly had their best interest at heart. These miracles Jesus performed were simple, but were significant. In one of them for example, Jesus came upon a man...
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...sentence stood out stating that Jesus was a man and could not be God. I then told them that Christology in its most basic definition means the study of Christ. Christology focuses on Jesus’ nature and the person he was, as well as the details of his life and teachings. It also focuses on the relationship between Christ and God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Enwall explains Christology, “In the New Testament the writers indicate who Jesus is by describing the significance of the work He came to do and the office He came to fulfill” (Enwall 2001, 239). In this essay we will focus on some of the significant issues of Christology, such as Jesus’ humanity and deity, the Hypostatic Union, and the Biblical basis for such issues. Many people get confused and have a hard time with the concept of Jesus being both man and God at the same time. It is a hard concept to take in and understand, but we have to trust in the authority of the Bible. A few Biblical examples of the Humanity of Christ would be from the Books of Matthew and Mark. In Matthew 4:1-2, we read about Jesus being tested in the wilderness. He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and after He was hungry, a very human trait. Again in Mark 4:38-41, we read the story of Jesus calming the storm and how He was in the stern of the boat sleeping, also, another very human trait. However, even though human, “even the wind and waves obeyed Him.” Along with humanity, Jesus also has deity. One aspect of Jesus’ deity is how He is worthy...
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...The page with Christ washing the feet of his disciples was created in a German monastery near Reichenua at about 1000. Discussing the iconographic meaning of the page with Christ washing the feet of his disciples will require an understanding of the art of the age. Jesus washing the feet of the disciples (John 13:1–17) occurred in the upper room, just prior to the Last Supper and has significance in three ways. For Jesus, it was the display of His humility and His servanthood. For the disciples, the washing of their feet was in direct contrast to their heart attitudes at that time. For us, washing feet is symbolic of our role in the body of Christ. In the eleventh century western crusaders encountered the sophisticated cultures of Byzantine...
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...Attempting to understand Jesus Christ and the crucifixion has been a common concern for Christians throughout history. I agree that the significance of Jesus is “constantly being reinterpreted based on one’s sociocultural, historical, and political context” (Jones/Lakeland 163). Human beings perceive and figure out the world through their experiences and encounters. Therefore, it is logical that the understanding of Jesus throughout history has and continues to change. Theses understandings of Jesus’ purpose have been both a positive and a negative impact as Christians strive to follow Jesus’ ministry. Atonement theories are especially understood in relation to one’s context. In some contexts, atonement by Christ as King triumphing over evil (Christus victor) or Christ as prophet, a guide to follow (Abelardian atonement) or Christ as priest carrying our sins (Anselmian atonement). I follow the Abelardian atonement theory, as I believe that Christ is the way to God and I must...
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...Jesus and Buddha are founders of two of the largest religions in the world. Both of them desire of making the world better, letting people love together, and giving happiness to all the people in the world. However, Christianity unlike Buddhism is unique in that it strips us of our self-righteousness by exposing our sinful nature, and causes us to see that our only hope is for God to reach down to us in mercy. Buddhism is the belief system of those who follow Buddha, the Enlightened One. It was founded as a form of atheism. It is the world’s fourth largest religion. The founder of Buddhism was Siddhartha Gautama, a prince from northern India near modern Nepal who lived about 563–483 B.C. It is the world’s fourth largest religion; with adherents of 613 million worldwide and one million in the United States. Buddhists regard the United States as a prime mission field, and the number of Buddhists in this country is growing rapidly due to an increase in Asian immigration, endorsement by celebrities such as Tina Turner and Richard Gere, and use in major movies such as Siddhartha, The Little Buddha, and What’s Love Got to Do with It? Buddhism is related to the New Age Movement and may to some extent be driving it. Certainly Buddhist growth is benefiting from the influence of New Age thought on American life. Buddhism is an impersonal religion of self-perfection, the end of which is death, not life. The Buddhist belief system is in the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold...
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...Have you ever wondered why you exist, why you were born? Have you ever suspected there isn't a purpose to life at all? What is the meaning of life? Is there anything beyond this physical life? If you've ever pondered questions like these, you're not alone. Mankind has pondered these questions for millennia. Philosophers, scientists and theologians have tried to resolve them, but with confusing and contradictory results. Can you know the answers to these questions? Yes, you can! The astonishing answers can be found in the pages of your Bible. Did you know that the main reason the Bible was written was to explain how God is creating His own family, the sons of God? It is amazing how few people grasp this incredible truth, yet it is so plain in the Bible. At the beginning of the Bible is the account of the creation of Adam and Eve. All human beings are their descendants. We are, by natural descent, their great, extended family. Adam was, according to his natural parentage, a son of God (Luke 3:38 ). Therefore, in our natural descent, we are all the children of God. He is our Father by physical creation. Creating immortal children But God's purpose is far greater than the creation of corruptible and perishable human beings. God is in the process of creating His own spiritual children who will be incorruptible-children with eternal life who have His divine nature or character. He refers to this new creation in terms of "the old man," in contrast with "the new man," who is...
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...The ritual of marriage is significant in Hinduism and Christianity (Catholic). Hinduism is based on achieving liberation from rebirth as an ongoing struggle by fulfilling one's dharma according to the class in the caste system which one belongs to. In contrast, Christianity (Catholic) is based on the interpretation of the Word of God in the form of tradition. Through shared elements in weddings such as the importance of marriage, the involvement of the witness, the significance of the groom clasping the bride's hand, the exchange of vows and the underlying meaning of the symbol of marriage, one can argue that the theology of Hinduism and Catholicism are revealed. In the Hindu and Catholic traditions there are different perspectives concerning the importance of marriage. Hindu marriages are greatly rooted in the nature of man. Vasudha Narayanan states, "A man has an obligation in life to marry, raise children, and fulfill his debts to his community" (90). Thus, marriage becomes a responsibility, as producing sons in order to preserve the family line and culture, is highly regarded in Hinduism. In order for a male to fulfill his dharma and escape suffering from rebirth, he should attain the three major religious paths which are karma-marga, jnana-marga, and bhakti-marga (Bhogal: Hinduism II). Through performing rituals, priestly teachings, gaining knowledge from the Upanishads and expressing devotion to a god, the aim is moksha, liberation from suffering. Through marriage a man...
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...holidays celebrating the birth of Christ or His death and resurrection. This is unfortunate, because while these days have great significance to the Christian, Pentecost is just as important of an event to the church. Luke’s presentation of the events of Pentecost in Acts 2 will be described. Attempts will be made to resolve several contextual issues in this chapter of Acts including the location of the house where the disciples were when the Holy Spirit descended, the meaning of baptism, and the value of Peter’s sermon regarding baptism and salvation. The meaning of phrases such as “sound like a violent wind” and “tongues of fire” will be explained. Expositional work will be written based on each passage in Acts 2 regarding the descent of the Holy Spirit in order to help further resolve contextual issues found in this chapter. The day of Pentecost described in Acts has changed how Christians are able to relate to God and interact with Him through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit Before we can delve into the meat of Acts 2, we must look at the first chapter of Acts where Jesus told his disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-5 says, “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Jesus’ command the disciples obeying it...
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...Review of Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament by Christopher J.H. Wright James Pruch Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary May 2012 Introduction Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright (Ph. D., Cambridge) is an Old Testament scholar, an ordained Anglican ministry, and is the director of international ministries with the Langham Partnership International. In Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament, Wright seeks to display the continuity between the Hebrew Scriptures and Jesus’ self-understanding. Wright maintains that Jesus’ self-understanding rooted in the history of salvation that God planned and worked for Israel. This review will show that Wright’s book provides the reader with a rich understanding of Jesus’ unique identity as the Hebrew Messiah and gives helpful insights for understanding how the OT should be viewed from the Christian perspective. Brief Summary Wright’s thesis is that one cannot fully know the story of Jesus unless he sees “it in the light of a much longer story which goes back for many centuries.”1 He works this out in five chapters, which he summarizes at the end of the book: We have seen that the Old Testament tells the story which Jesus completed. It declares the promise which he fulfilled. It provides the pictures and models which shaped his identity. It programmes a mission which he accepted and passed on. It teaches a moral orientation to God and the world which he endorsed, sharpened, and laid as the foundation for obedient discipleship.2 He argues...
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