Baptism - the most ancient Christian tradition, a symbol of initiation to spiritual values, promise to turn away from their sins and live by biblical precepts. Despite the relatively transparent interpretation of the sacrament of baptism involves a lot of superstitions and prejudices that affect it as obligatory rite for holding and denying the need for it.

When it comes to baptism, people are divided into three camps. The first, deeply religious worshiping church canons and live according to the laws and regulations of the Bible refer to this ceremony very seriously, carefully choosing the recipients (godparents) for the baby, which will be his mentors. There are those who, because of a lack of religious beliefs, skeptical attitude to this rite or atheism not baptize children. The majority refers to baptism as a tradition that is respected by Christians for centuries. Lack of awareness of this problem and in its desire to make the correct choice generate the same question: why do we need baptism?

The theme is very important. Recently, Orthodox Church pays great attention to this problem, revising their attitude to the unbaptized, which had previously been quite hard and seemed unshakable. The priests, in response to this complex and controversial issue, converge in a single opinion: baptism - this is not an obligation, it should not be forced because of the pressure of society.

Unfortunately, sometimes as human beings are not too knowledgeable in the affairs of the church, we tend to give even this sacred ordinance as the baptism of the features that it does not have, and vice versa, without observing the rules that must lead to a ritual, the people without even realizing devalue the significance of baptism in the life of man.

The scripture says, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved." This statement is often taken too literally. Perfect baptism is not the key to salvation for a man of his soul and charms from all the misfortunes that will certainly lie in wait for him on the path of life. And if people have not been christened, this does not mean that it descends the wrath of the powers. Blind faith in this baseless installation eventually led to the tradition of infant baptism, which supposedly should protect a person from misfortune, acting on the principle of "the sooner - the better."

Orthodox Church described Baptism as a dying sinful life and the birth of the spiritual life. This is an indication that a person deliberately takes his faith and is willing to follow the path of Christ. It can be called the most important moment of his life of dedication to God. In this right from a Christian point of view of the interpretation of the rite and pitfalls lie, giving life to all sorts of contradictions concerning baptism.

We are rightly interested in: how the little man is able to accept such commitments themselves - because it is not yet aware of the importance of the ceremony? The answer is: the guarantee of the "right" of baptism - it is unconditional, deep, meaningful faith of his parents and godparents. They take on a promise of spiritual education in accordance with the canons of the Church. Here it is worth noting that the baptism did not entail for a simply loses its power. Why be baptized if no Christian education and initiation to the faith and was not provided?

Big mistake and even a sin is a second baptism, which is regarded by some as a way to escape the "evil fate" change lives, or even to remove damage. Baptism - is the first contact with the church, a kind of door to their own faith and not magic ritual.

Need to be baptized if the person feels a part of its culture, want to live within it, learning the spiritual values, walking with them through life. Baptism - is not a tribute to God, in any case, not a formality, and not just a tradition, and rejection of it - not a sin. Great offenses and sin would be a denial of the Christian way of life after the holy sacrament. Baptism should be a free choice of the individual, because today and advised to do this step in a more adult.

  Eugene Zhirkina

Related Articles

Easter eggs and decoration: spring tradition

Easter marks

Orthodox calendar - from Easter to Easter

Orthodox holidays