how the sacrament baptism changed over the years?

Question

please help me...

Answer 1

The early followers of Jesus were Jews, and since J himself never claimed to be an incarnated god - which would have been blasphemy - until Paul came along to create a new religion, when one wanted to become a follower of J, they had to be Jews.

if they were already Jewish, they would go to the mikvah to be ritually purified, if they were converting, the men would have a bris, and then they would also go to the mikvah. Taharat involves a complete immersion - all parts of the body must be under water.

When Paul created his gentile religion, the "rules" changed - allowing for the ritual immersion in the mikvah to become "baptism" - where the convert keeps on his clothes and does the immersion in public. It also allows for various variations on the theme - thus, one has "immersion" (baptism) by sprinkling.

Other rituals have grown around it, depending upon the sect. many of the customs of the bris were adopted into the infant baptism (bris is done at 8 days = infant joining the covenant)

If my keyboard stops playing games with me, I will try to edit this if you want - to add more ways in which it has changed. if this is satisfactory, though, I think I'll stop. (send me a note if you want more information - it is very frustrating to type right now.)

Answer 2

Why do you call Baptism a sacrament? Is this some religious man made up thing.

Baptism is the immersion of something in a liquid. It is like dying a white cloth red. Would you only dip it in half way. No, I don't think so. Not if you want the whole thing red.

So the same is true for people wanting to get baptized.
Stay with the Word of God. It is all explained there.><>

Answer 3

The early Christians practiced baptism by immersion whenever there was running water available.

Baptism in the Early Church

That the early Church permitted pouring instead of immersion is demonstrated by the Didache, a Syrian liturgical manual that was widely circulated among the churches in the first few centuries of Christianity, perhaps the earliest Christian writing outside the New Testament.

The Didache was written around A.D. 70 and, though not inspired, is a strong witness to the sacramental practice of Christians in the apostolic age. In its seventh chapter, the Didache reads, "Concerning baptism, baptize in this manner: Having said all these things beforehand, baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in living water [that is, in running water, as in a river]. If there is no living water, baptize in other water; and, if you are not able to use cold water, use warm. If you have neither, pour water three times upon the head in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." These instructions were composed either while some of the apostles and disciples were still alive or during the next generation of Christians, and they represent an already established custom.

The testimony of the Didache is seconded by other early Christian writings. Hippolytus of Rome said, "If water is scarce, whether as a constant condition or on occasion, then use whatever water is available" (The Apostolic Tradition, 21 [A.D. 215]). Pope Cornelius I wrote that as Novatian was about to die, "he received baptism in the bed where he lay, by pouring" (Letter to Fabius of Antioch [A.D. 251]; cited in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6:4311).

Cyprian advised that no one should be "disturbed because the sick are poured upon or sprinkled when they receive the Lord’s grace" (Letter to a Certain Magnus 69:12 [A.D. 255]). Tertullian described baptism by saying that it is done "with so great simplicity, without pomp, without any considerable novelty of preparation, and finally, without cost, a man is baptized in water, and amid the utterance of some few words, is sprinkled, and then rises again, not much (or not at all) the cleaner" (On Baptism, 2 [A.D. 203]). Obviously, Tertullian did not consider baptism by immersion the only valid form, since he says one is only sprinkled and thus comes up from the water "not much (or not at all) the cleaner."

Ancient Christian Mosaics Show Pouring

Then there is the artistic evidence. Much of the earliest Christian artwork depicts baptism—but not baptism by immersion! If the recipient of the sacrament is in a river, he is shown standing in the river while water is poured over his head from a cup or shell. Tile mosaics in ancient churches and paintings in the catacombs depict baptism by pouring. Baptisteries in early cemeteries are clear witnesses to baptisms by infusion. The entire record of the early Church—as shown in the New Testament, in other writings, and in monumental evidence—indicates the mode of baptism was not restricted to immersion.

Other archaeological evidence confirms the same thing. An early Christian baptistery was found in a church in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth, yet this baptistery, which dates from the second century, was too small and narrow in which to immerse a person.

Peace and every blessing!

Answer 4

Baptism replaced the circumcision of the Old Testament. It is a portrayal of God washing us clean of our sins. Oil used to be used, but now full body immersions or the sprinkling of water are more common.

Answer 5

It used to include an annointing with an oil containing cannabis.