Holy Baptism: Father Matthew Presents the Sacraments

[LegalMonet]

Father Matthew, I am being confirmed today at the age of 51. Several of your videos were assigned to us in Confirmation Class. Love the information and humor. Come visit us sometime. I cook an awesome meal for our UVA student ministry on Sunday nights!

Dee Ridgeway

St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church

Charlottesville, VA

[dlherring1964]

Thank you and God bless you Father Matthew. I'm very much enjoying your very informative (and funny) videos. I'm a lay leader in the United Methodist Church, and I feel very much at home when I visit our local Episcopal Church. Keep up the great work. May the Peace of Christ be with you.

[rainqueen1986]

great

[itzrobertho]

Satan all the way

[fatimamovement]

Why does the Council of Trent anathematize anyone who receives John the Baptist's initiation rite (Holy Spirit who is coming - Spiritus Sanctus) instead of Christ's baptism in the Holy Ghost, who is (Spiritum Sanctum)? John the Baptist, according to the Masonic Bible, is the patron "saint" of freemasonry. The Church has been in Auto-anathamatization mode since Pius XII reversed the Sacramental Rite in 1944: Mark of the Beast.

FATIMAMOVEMENT d o t c o m

Rome has until August 17, 2011.

[TheShirlock]

His Holiness the Pope must just love this video!

PS cut the music and don't throw the doll, a lot of little girls would be upset!

[bhavvv]

@BiblePreacher889

How would I know? I dont follow your religion. I asked you as a follower of Christinity to describe something about your religion to me, can you not even do that much?

If you as a Christian dont even know why infants need to be baptised, then why exactly do you, and so many Christians believe it to be necessary at all?

[bhavvv]

@BiblePreacher889

So if there was an oral tradition telling Christians to push people off cliffs, would you do that as well?

Your so called 'Oral tradition' is not representative of what your religion actually teaches. Baptizing infants is not a Biblical teaching.

And you're use of the word 'authoritative' is also amusing, do you really believe that other people, and even infants should be bound to the false authority of misguided religious practices that arent even in the holy book?

[bhavvv]

Nah, Baptists should just be neutered and not allowed to breed instead :p

On a more serious note, a lot of people nowadays would consider slapping children to be child abuse. However if a parent does slap a child, it doesnt get taken away.

There are different levels of 'abuse' from mild to excessive, baptism can very well be defined as a mild form.

Now, since you appear to be a bible loving fanatic, do you mind telling me where the bible says you have to baptize infants?

[cookiesonsteve]

Do you think this has anything to do with The Titan's Goblet by Thomas Cole?

[bhavvv]

Infant baptism is child abuse.

Just like circumcision.

Why cant Christians wait until their kids are old enough to choose themselves if they want to be baptised or not?

[FatherMatthew]

@bhavvv Fascinating! This is what many baptists believe, at least about baptism (not circumcision). I guess it is kinda like waiting to choose a name, or a nation to belong to, or a language to speak. Anyway, there is always the choice to leave the church, really. If teaching a child to love God and renounce evil (part of the vows) is abusive, then nearly any teaching of a value system would be. There is no neutral ground to give a child to stand on. Culture starts from birth, really.

[bhavvv]

Theres nothing wrong with teaching your children your religion, but all babies are born without any sense of religion yet. They dont have any idea what is happening when they are baptised, nor have they yet commited any sins which need renouncing (which is what baptism is about), so why not wait until they are at least around 4-5 years old, begin teaching them about christianity and baptism, and ask let them choose to do it then? That way they are at least aware of the baptism.

[adavecdave]

@FatherMatthew i can't say it's child abuse, however, the age of accountability being 12 for a girl, and 13 for a boy, according to jewish custom, i think it best to raise a child in the ways of Jesus,(not that i got that one right), these ways will not depart from them.

the choice should be made as one accountable for their actions. many i know say, i was baptised as a baby, i dont need to now, yet they live a hellish lifestyle thinking the baptisim base is covered

baptisim without repentance

[AndyMKordo]

@bhavvv Actually Christianity does not require circumcision.I'm Catholic (Christian). And about infant baptism: Have you ever read the books of the early Christians? Baptizing a child means that you take the responsibility of teaching it about the Church. Also read Luke 18.15-16.

And good job Fr. Matthew. You're the only priest that has a sense of humor. I wonder if all Episcopal/Anglican priests are like you? If yes I might convert to the Episcopal Church.

[BrownSkinn1]

I'm getting baptised in an episcopal church soon!

[Mamalion730]

I am just starting my own ministry..I am enjoying your presentations.

[steinover]

Thanks Father.

But whats the deal with the baptismal shell.

[FatherMatthew]

@steinover I believe it is meant to evoke the River Jordan (which has shells) where Jesus was baptized, but I'm not certain on this.

[cryaloud1611]

its not even a baptism 

[FalconPunchYourMom]

It's funny because I'm an atheist :)

[Lavere2009]

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

The Father: Yahweh יהוה

The son: Yeshua ישוע,

The Holy Spirit: Noah נחמה

[jray3242]

Blasphemy. Truly, what Bible is this from? I'm sorry, I'm not the judge, but there was nothing scriptual about this presentation. Pray God is glorified in truth. Hopefully people can realize His truth before it is everlasting too late.

[Pmlani]

When did the baby renounce Satan and declare acceptance of JEsus as their savior ..? This is not biblical ..I know many a 'baptised' anglican who never carried on with the faith..So its not for real(the commitment) and plenty a PArent/Godparent never raised their child in the ways of GOD ..after their pledges... Its not real baptism mate ...

[Truthseeker424]

Something to ponder????

[smitheuin]

i think this is a wonderful video, its teaching and very funny entertain LOL :)

[TheHellBound666]

I've been baptised like 3 times now xD lol i have never got the sprinkle method though was all full submersion in bodies of water. I am unsure about the anglican (episcopalian) church with how it was started, but it is more accepting of heretics than the catholic or many of the protestant churches which is a bonus.

[Darkfoster22]

But I bet you have not been baptised by the holy ghost with fire as I have.

[TheHellBound666]

I couldn't tell you, and if i could I probably wouldn't brag about it.

[Darkfoster22]

Then hold your tongue, be self control I know your not. If I was braging please tell me what I said wrong. I tell others what the Lord has done to me, no one came stop me only the lord can.I will give out a hand to the lost, even jail will not stop me, because my roots went deep as does yours.

[TheHellBound666]

I'm not sure what you mean by roots.

[Darkfoster22]

I know but one day I hope you will come to know a great new world that you will understand all things, then you will know your pass as roots. This is so for many also me because of that I know all people could come to know God love as I have, meaning I am not the only one, any one can grow in grace, if one knows how to and Believed, then watch changes around you and in you because new feelings come with grace.

[KempsGrl]

what a waste of water

[Gabbsygoo]

This Man is amazing. I go to this church and i am an active meber of the choir. His sermons are great and you have no right to say bad things about him. I think it's pretty cool that he tries to make them fun. that is something to look up to. As he says, take our lips and speak through them, take our minds and think through them, take our hearts and set them on fire. he is very intellegent and you should look up to him. i know i do, =) rock on Father Mattew! -Gabby

[concord1775]

I think a 'bad example' of Christianity would be persecuting a minority of some stripe or another through a literalist interpretation of scripture. I think it is a good thing to try to bring the love of God to people who might not might not otherwise even think about God in a new and innovative way. I'm quite sure this priest, even if his style is laid back, takes the sacraments and their meanings very seriously indeed. God bless him.

[Cycofoo]

man this guy is such a bad example for Christianity.

[chalcedonite]

I agree.  He is a bad example of Christianity. The Sacraments are to be celebrated and revered. He has no reverence. There is a time for all things. A youtube meant to minister the knowledge of the HOLY Sacraments is not the time to joke. Baptism, as with all the Sacraments, is unto the regeneration of the entire creation.

[TheHellBound666]

doesn't want people to think he's a tightass like most of you christians.

[POKEADICT79]

He is spreading the word. I dont think that the time and the good that Father Matthew gives us is hurting you in any way.

[jray3242]

@POKEADICT79, Not sure what word he is spreading by way of this video, but it certainly doesn't seem to be God's Word.

[counternub40]

i hope you dont throw real babies.....

[kiwimac]

Baptism like all sacraments is an outward sign of an inward grace, that of the Holy Spirit in the life of the one baptised. It is important to realise that as far as the Early church was concerned baptism was not necessarily simply an adult act but one which could be done on behalf of those under your care, infants, slaves etc.

Fr. Ray McIntyre

[Boudiga]

I'm so glad I was NEVER baptized!

[ThePieIsFalse]

dude, instant 5 for the evil monkey

[mulberry26]

Fine and wonderful presentation. I'm going to commend this to our chaplains overseas. Thank you so much for doing this and blessings to you for Christmas! Bishop George Packard

[FatherMatthew]

Hello, Bishop!  Crispian says hallo.

[olemango]

One question.Isn't faith/repentance a part of baptism? How can baby know that its sinfull? Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:36-37.Repentance/ faith is to turn away and die from our old life. Baptism is a burial. Then why is it you baptize before it knows that it has to die. Just a question. I like your videos. Gb

[FatherMatthew]

Understanding doesn't have to precede action, especially in the case of starting one's life as a Christian. Repentance, also, is not an individual act. There is a framework for repentance that is established by our upbringing, traditions, etc. Baptism stands as a sign of the "prevenient" character of the grace of God.

[olemango]

This is alittle hard to understand, Rev. I must have misunderstood. This is not what the Bible is saying, as far as I can see. Maybe the tradition is more clear on this. It seems to me. If a person wants to follow Christ it must repent and be baptized. F.ex seeing that you have done wrong, and making it right with God. Then being baptized for the forgiveness of sins. And living a new life in the Holy Ghost. The grace of God is given free to all. Thanks for explaining. Have a nice christmas :-)

[FatherMatthew]

The ritual of Baptism does not bring God's love into being as if that love did not exist before the ceremony. Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God who first loved us from the moment of our existence. Baptism is a manifestation of something real—of the outpouring of God's Spirit and of our acceptance of that transforming love. It remains for us to grow into what we already are: daughters and sons of God.

[canadianwritingchik]

It's true that baptism doesn't make us Christians, that happens when we accept Him. But isn't baptism supposed to be an outward symbol of an inward commitment? As in you have to acknowlage you made a commitment?

I don't mean to be rude, I just don't get it.

[1moreAtheist]

religion kills

[canadianwritingchik]

Only temporarily

[TheHellBound666]

so does drinking too much water, severe nosebleeds, accidently falling off a tall structure, and so on.

[FatherMatthew]

Baptism celebrates a family's and a community's experience of that love in the baptized. There are other life experiences—birth, death, washing, growing and so forth—that are celebrated in Baptism. The sacrament is multifaceted, as is revealed in the Scripture references and the symbols of Baptism.

[Brizzin]

I was baptized as a baby when my mother was a Catholic and got baptized again in 2001 of my own free will and desire to honor God in a Baptist church just to be safe lol. I guess the bottom line is we do these things because we love Jesus and Jesus looks at our heart. I'm certain that God knows I did my best to honor Him. I love your videos. I especially liked your response to the Blasphemy Challenge.

God bless!

[1moreAtheist]

why doesnt god heal amputees

[TheHellBound666]

because if he healed all the amputee's humans would be even more retarded, they wouldn't care about having limbs lopped off, probably do it for fun if they knew it would just get put back on, we're a pretty stupid species.

[jray3242]

@olemango, nicely put

[AnHonestChristian]

This is one of your most informative videos. I look forward to seeing the rest of the vids in regard to the sacraments. I actually listened to your sermon online during the baptismal service.

[FatherMatthew]

Thanks!

[herzliebster]

Catch the baby!!!

Nice job!

- Gretchen Pritchard

[claud4]

lol, for some reason i expected him to spike the baby and do a victory dance .

[dhstarr]

Great job, Matthew, I really liked the humor and it got the point across...

David

[esreagan]

Wow - great! All these are going on DVD for my youth confirmation class. Finally, something that makes sense!  Peace, Father M.

[Phaug5]

More, More, More!!!! Thanks.

Dave

[BTLGllc]

I'm looking forward to the rest in this series! Keep up the great work!

[WingsTM]

could you do a video on adult baptism? I was raised Christian but my parents were Southern Baptist and I (ironically) never got baptised. But I might get baptized in the Episcopal church this year

[FatherMatthew]

Actually, we would use the same set up and worship service for adults, except without the parental involvement.

[redhotpinktwink]

Can't wait for the next one :D

[ddelray]

I often think that the sacraments are less evidence God's grace than evidence of the Church's efforts to control people/make people dependent on it. As some folks have been known to say you don't gain salvation through the sacraments or good works but by grace and faith alone.

[FatherMatthew]

The sacraments hardly control anyone.  They do, however, teach, preach, "act out" the grace of God using signs and human interactions. I don't think the sacraments are manipulative (voluntary as they are), but they are compelling.

[OneXWatcher]

So the baby volunteered to be baptized?

[FatherMatthew]

The entire baby's world/culture/language is involuntary and chosen for her up to a point. Surely the church isn't especially egregious there? The parent's choice to raise up their child in the faith is voluntary. Raising them in no faith would be a choice with its own consequences, too.

In infant baptism, a sign of prevenient grace is performed, not one of choice. That may or may not come at Confirmation.

[OneXWatcher]

Father Matthew, christians often say that we have a choice. We can accept god's salvation and go to heaven...however, if we don't, we burn in eternal torment for all eternity.

If I point a gun to your head and say, "Give me a wallet or I will kill you." is this a choice? Can you not prosecute me for doing this? After all I gave you a choice. You decided to give me your wallet.

[dhstarr]

OneX... despite what you may have heard from some Christians, there are those of us who believe that there is more that one way to heaven. I happen to have chosen Christ.

I think it is much more important to live ones life as Christ would whether you are Christian or not.

The Sacraments give us the spiritual strength to live this life, the life of loving God and our neighbor as ourselves.

[happyjesus123]

OneXWatcher, you make some good points. One aspect of the baptism is that incorporates the child into a community. These sort of incorporation ceremonies are common in many cultures. As you point out one of the objectives is to "control" the child, to instill the community's values. Another goal is to provide support for the child. The community (congregation) as a whole has an interest in helping the child and thus the child gets a larger support system than his/her immediate family.

[Luzern76]

Excellent presentation.

The trouble with baptism these days is that too many parents make vows they have no intention of keeping. I see it a lot. A couple comes to the church wanting their child to be baptized. After the baptism, they vanish and the congregation never sees them again. Vows made before God should be taken seriously. Otherwise, it's a lie. Marriage is an exception since marital vows are made only to each other, I would think. But I guess you'll be covering that one soon.

[ddelray]

They certainly are when folks are told they will be damned if they don't participate in them (that goes for baptism and confession in some traditions), or they can't take one without taking others (prohibition of interfaith marriages by some traditions, no eucharist without baptism in most, without confession in some). Interesting that Christ himself did not baptise anyone (at least with water).

[ChadAdamik]

Outstanding...I am a pastor, myself. I would like to share this video for my adult class on baptism!

[MusclecarsMeditation]

keep on rockin' father m

[brandonlstewart]

Great explanation! I am looking forward to this series!

[ByzantineChristian]

I LOVE the Episcopal Church- I REALLY do...but we have stayed in the outskirts because of all the internal issues concerning marriage.

I truly wish the Episcopal Church would've stayed traditional concerning the 'sacrament' of marriage- Because there's nothing that makes me happier

than to pray with an Episcopalian Prayer Book-

Yes, I am getting sentimental :-(

[ByzantineChristian]

Oh...and 5/5 and a Favorite!!!! Great Video- you are EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED MY ANGLICAN FRIEND!!!!!

[wanderingsociologist]

i was catholic and this provides a different perspective of what i grew up from, although process is different the symbols do still roughly transfer over.

[msm2you]

Since I started attending Church of the Redeemer (Toronto) I have witnessed the baptism of two of my friends' children.

One, a two year old, had the entire church in stitches: after the water was poured on her by the curate she said to him, matterafactly, "This is when you dry me off, right?"

Needless to say, she is the daughter of an actor.

[LynnyLee]

I grew up in a church with completely different traditions about baptism, communion, etc., so this series should be interesting.

[Sweetkittenpie]

Another entertaining video, keep up the good work :)