Historical Origins And Development Of The Renewal Of The Baptismal Covenant

Source: The Complete Library of Christian Worship, Robert E. Webber, General Editor

Baptism was understood as a pledge, vow, covenant, or contract early in the history of the Christian church. The very term sacrament meant an oath in Roman culture. When children of Christian parents were baptized, whether as part of the households mentioned in the New Testament or as children born into families that had been Christian for generations, this pledge was made by the parents and baptismal sponsors. The sacrament of confirmation became separated from baptism in the West. When...

 

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