Your Life Events
What do the symbols of baptism mean?
Water is poured on the child's head; older children and adults may be fully immersed in water - perhaps in a purpose-built "baptistery" or in the sea.
Why is this done?
- It speaks of our dying with Jesus (thus going under the water) and our rising with Him (yes, coming up out of the water!).
- Baptism speaks of being washed and cleansed by God.
A candle is given as a sign that Jesus "the Light of the World" longs to come live within the Christian.
Making the sign of the cross on the candidate's head.
It was on this symbol of torture Jesus died to bear all our guilt and shame.
So you'll see there is a lot to being baptised and it is a significant step for us to take.
Other Christening / Baptism sections:
