What is the significance of receiving a name in baptism

This is the eighth column in a series on baptism. Read more of his writing at CatholicHotdish. Category : Faith Fundamentals. Gratitude — in the growing, giving and goodbye. Digital Edition — November 11, Sexual atoms and molecules. Visit your dead friends. Saints point the way. Rejection letters and the spiritual life. Subscribe If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.

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Vatican Name given at baptism gives sense of identity, belonging, pope says. Most Recent Thousands call for Gomez to apologize after calling protests 'pseudo-religions' Nov 12, Vatican financial reform efforts continue amid scandals and deficit Nov 12, Assisi pilgrimage with the poor: Pope calls for open hands, open hearts Nov 12, If they name their child after a soap opera star, professional athlete, rock star, or reality show personality, not only are they manifesting a regrettable superficiality, but they are also linking their child to someone who likely will be irrelevant later.

How many adults today would prefer to be called Humphrey or Petula? As the saying goes, a name is not just for a birthday, but for a lifetime, and Pope Benedict is reminding us that this audible personal symbol is meant for an eternal lifetime. We know from sacred Scripture how seriously God took names. In order to help Adam grow into the image and likeness of the creator, God allowed Adam to name the beasts, the birds, the cattle, then Eve, then their sons.

One of the questions pregnant couples should ask themselves is what their child will think of the name chosen and the reasons why it was chosen.

Was it chosen to honor a beloved family member whose influence and virtue really impacted them or chosen simply because they liked the way it sounded and no one had ever heard such associated sounds before? Was it selected to link the person to a genuine hero in this life or in the next, or was it chosen nihilistically with no connection to anyone or anything whatsoever? Would I wear my wedding ring?

Of course! I would love my husband and want the whole world to know it! Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one! A blessed life: In baptism, the believer has the triune name of the triune God placed upon them: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

In baptism there is a real sense of being joined with other believers, not just participating in an individual act of our own spiritual journey. As per the example of Jesus — by being immersed in water. Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. The book of Acts shows us that this was the norm for every believer. Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ. When Paul writes to the believers in Rome, he assumes that all of them have been baptised Romans 6.

The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ! We believe in baptising children when they are old enough to understand what it means and make a personal declaration of belief. Believers in the New Testament were baptised the same day.