1. Dr Patricia Kelly Leeds Trinity University
Baptism and Eucharist
Dr Patricia Kelly
Leeds Trinity University

2. Timeline Primitive Church <100 Early Church <300
Late Antique Church
Medieval Church
Reformation period
‘Modernity’ 1750-

3. Baptism: the Christian rite of initiation
universal rite of initiation for Christians
‘passing’ from unbeliever to ‘life in Christ’
‘plunging’ – lustration – ritual washing in water
Baptismal font/pool, Trier

4. Baptism in the New Testament
Paul’s letters
(48-65)
Phil
1 Cor. 6.11
Romans 6.2-4
Gospels
(70-90)
accounts of Jesus’ baptism by John
‘go and baptise all nations…’

5. Jewish background ritual cleansing & washing in Law
after childbirth & war
of homes/utensils
after disease
pools in Temple/synagogues and in Jewish settlements for ritual personal washing
evidence of Qumran texts for ritual washing marking rejection of world & belonging to group

6. Baptism in the Early Church
Sources
Didache (?60 ?Syria)
‘Martyrdom of Polycarp’ (160)
Justin (150)
Irenaeus (150)
Tertullian (200s)
Practice
mostly adult (infant more common from C4)
‘rite of initiation’
often at Easter
use of fresh water
candidates wear white & carry candle
‘in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’

7. Baptism today
universal practice among Christians, generally regarded as rite of initiation
dipped in water, name of the Trinity, white garment, rejection of sin & Satan
(Catholic & Orthodox: candle, anointing with oil)
may be adult or infant depending on Church belief & practice

8. Eucharist
Caravaggio, ‘Supper at Emmaus’
© National Gallery, London

9. Eucharist in the Early Church
Sources:
1 Cor ff// Matt.26.26ff// Mk14.22ff/Lk.22.19ff
Jn 6.35ff (‘Bread of life’ discourse)
Didache 9-10
Ignatius, Smyrn. 7
Pliny, ‘Letter to Trajan’ #7
Justin, Apol. I.67
Basic structure:
readings from Scripture (Old Testament; New Testament from C2)
prayers for living & dead
prayers of thanksgiving & offering of bread and wine

10. ‘The sacrifice of Abel, our father in faith’
Basilica of S. Vitale, Ravenna

11. Eucharist in the Early Church
‘The self-same body of our Saviour Jesus Christ…’ ‘The bread is the body of the Lord, the cup is the cup of his blood’
only for those ‘in communion’ (koinonia) – marked by baptism, common prayer, and participation in Eucharist
‘body of Christ’ is both the meal and the community – Paul’s description of Church as ‘mystical body’ of Christ
Eucharist sign of unity – with community, bishop(s), leaders

12. Medieval developments
‘House Church’ of John & Paul, Rome: C1-C3 worship space
Basilica of Santa Sabina, Rome:
C4 basilica developed during medieval period

13. Medieval developments (2)
Beliefs
increasing reverence
laity need encouragement to receive Eucharist
academic ‘scholastic’ definitions
Practice
processions – around church and/or city
more clergy
‘fixed’ liturgies, longer & more complex prayers
prayers/Masses for dead

14. Reformation changes
Luther, Calvin, and followers focus on individual relationship with God
private prayer & public worship focus on reading & study of Scripture, & preaching
Eucharist a symbolic representation of Christ’s sacrifice; bread and wine symbolic representation of Christ’s body & blood
Eucharist becomes weekly (or less frequent) celebration

15. Eucharist in contemporary Christianity
Catholics & Orthodox
at least weekly if not daily
‘real presence’
‘the source and summit of the Christian life’
Reformed traditions
usually weekly or less often
not necessarily obligatory