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

Timeline Primitive Church <100 Early Church <300 Late Antique Church 300-700 Medieval Church 700-1500 Reformation period 1500-1750 ‘Modernity’ 1750-

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

Baptism in the New Testament Paul’s letters (48-65) Phil. 3.10-11 1 Cor. 6.11 Romans 6.2-4 Gospels (70-90) accounts of Jesus’ baptism by John ‘go and baptise all nations…’

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

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’

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

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

Eucharist in the Early Church Sources: 1 Cor. 11.23ff// 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

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

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

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

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

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

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