In the book of Romans there is a description of what transpires through water baptism. Evangelical Christians do not baptize children because they see conversion as a deeply personal decision. Of course, Europeans introduced their faith in other ways. "Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch". In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, with the required intention, can baptize, by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula. . The missionaries also believed that it was within their privileges to inhabit and recreate the land as they match needs while expecting power over the Natives. Educating and converting them to Christianity was indeed an effort that involved tremendous efforts that were not plain and painless. Native Americans who look at Christianity as tantamount with “religion” have likewise felt at least some reduction of their own spirituality. In the Orthodox Church, it can take up to a full year of studying and participation before one is baptized. The Indians replied, “Because these go about poorly dressed and barefoot just like us; they eat what we eat; they settle among us; and their intercourse with us is gentle.”. Sources. The conquistadores’ brutality alienated many native peoples from the Christian faith. “At the request of Ixtlilxochitl, Cortez and his men ate the gifts of food that had been brought out from Texcoco. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. I am still left with the question that has bothered me all of my life: Why did so many indigenous people convert to the religions that came from a foreign land with a Bible in which not one indigenous tribe in the Western Hemisphere is ever mentioned? http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/s_z/whitman.htm, Converting the Native Americans to Christianity. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jehovah's Witnesses baptize all converts including those already baptized in previous denominations. . As the LDS Church does not recognize the priesthood authority of other churches, all converts, even those from other Christian denominations, are required to be baptized. Your donations support the continuation of this ministry, Containing today’s events, devotional, quote and stories, © Copyright 2020. They compared it to their own beliefs and saw it practiced by the people who brought it to their world. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) teach that baptism is the first sacrament, called an ordinance in LDS theology, following conversion and is required for membership in the LDS Church. When an adult convert enters the Catholic or Orthodox Church, they are immediately confirmed after baptism, upon which, a clergy member will anoint the forehead with olive oil (or in the case of Byzantine Christians, the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, breast, hands, and feet), calling upon the Holy Spirit to seal the convert with his gifts. [7] Others, like Methodists, may conduct all three forms of baptism. Get Your Custom Essay on, By clicking “Write my paper”, you agree to our, Topic: Converting the Native Americans to Christianity, The Similarities Between Buddhism and Christianity. Persons who convert to most mainline Protestant groups will be received via baptism and be initiated further by any traditions the particular denomination holds to. The pattern, he writes, begins with God taking initiative in the individual's life. You can get your custom paper from In the Eastern Orthodox Church, and many Eastern Catholic Churches, infants are Chrismated and communed by a priest or bishop immediately after they are baptized. Where are the good ones? Many natives willingly accepted baptism, hoping to garner the favor of the more powerful Christian God. He was a zealot for the cause of Second Temple Judaism who had been "breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord". In some cases, the Spaniards’ brutality provoked Indians to seek revenge. The Spaniards entered the city and were lodged in the royal palace. (repentance) Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? . Validly baptized persons coming from previous denominations do not have to be enrolled in RCIA because the Church does not consider them catechumens since their baptism has already made them Christians. Jesus though was given all authority in heaven and on earth, even the authority to forgive sins which before only God could do. Online: conversion of Paul the Apostle to Christianity, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, texts from within a religion or faith system, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part B: Performing Priesthood Ordinances, Augsburg Confession, Article XII: Of Repentance, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Conversion_to_Christianity&oldid=981990501, Pages with numeric Bible version references, Articles lacking reliable references from August 2016, Articles needing more viewpoints from August 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 5 October 2020, at 15:46.