#baptism

It would be unjust toward children to introduce them to Christian teaching and existence only as little pagans and catechumens, in order to leave it up to them to choose the Faith on their own responsibility at a point in time difficult to determine. ↗

— Hans Urs von Balthasar

#catholicism #christianity #faith #infant-baptism #theology

Under the leadership of religious professionals, modern worship has become passive—listening to a message and singing some songs. Seldom is there a call to service or an invitation to trust Christ. Baptisms take place inside the church where it is safe and comfortable rather than in public where there is opportunity to give witness to the saving grace of Christ. The great needs of society are left to para-church groups, government agencies, and other social service organizations. All the while the church is losing its muscle tone, its biceps are becoming loose and flabby and its belly is becoming round and soft. Not a pretty picture for one who once was toned and buff—a lean, mean fighting machine. ↗

— Craig Olson

#casual-christian #christ #christianity #worship #leadership

For the spiritual efficacy of the Sacrament doth not depend upon the nature of the thing received, supposing we received what our Lord appointed, and receive it with a right preparation and disposition of mind, but upon the supernatural blessing that goes along with it, and makes it effectual to those spiritual ends for which it was appointed. ↗

— John Tillotson

#communion #eucharist #god #lord-s-supper #sacraments

As however the ancients say that in case of necessity any Christian lay person can administer the sacrament of Baptism, so Luther says the same thing about absolution in case of necessity, where no priest is present. ↗

— Martin Chemnitz

#absolution #administer #any #baptism #case

I entered the water as naked as when my mother bore me. When I first touched the cold water I felt a shudder go through me, then the shudder was transformed into a sensation of wakefulness. ↗

— Tayeb Salih

#baptism #epiphany #immersion-experience #experience

Ego non baptizo te in nomine patris, sed in nomine diaboli! ↗

— Herman Melville

#satanic #satan

A national political campaign is better than the best circus ever heard of, with a mass baptism and a couple of hangings thrown in. ↗

— H. L. Mencken

#best #better #campaign #circus #couple

The Lord will bless us with more baptisms if you make sure the ones you have are going to keep their commitments. The Lord will not prepare more people for baptism if we are not converting the ones we have. ↗

— Richard G. Scott

#bless #commitments #converting #going #keep

I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized; Henceforth I never will be Romeo. ↗

— William Shakespeare

#birth #identity #inspiration #inspirational #life

Jan van Leyden announced that a new world order [anabaptism] had been revealed to him and promptly began to implement it. Money was abolished; polygamy was legalized; marriage was made compulsory for women. Those who dissented faced execution. ↗

— Alister E. McGrath

#christianity #reformation #marriage