The EpiphanyThe Epiphany

Nicodemus and Nicodemus and BaptismBaptism

The Seven SacramentsThe Seven Sacraments

1.1. BaptismBaptism

2.2. Confirmation (Holy Oil)Confirmation (Holy Oil)

3.3. ConfessionConfession

4.4. The Eucharist (Liturgy)The Eucharist (Liturgy)

5.5. Anointing of the Sick (Holy Unction)Anointing of the Sick (Holy Unction)

6.6. Ordination (Priesthood)Ordination (Priesthood)

7.7. Marriage Marriage

NicodemusNicodemus

A man named Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. He knew that Jesus was a good Master, so he came to Jesus by night to ask him something…

N: Master, how can I enter N: Master, how can I enter the kingdom of God?the kingdom of God?

J: You have to be born again, J: You have to be born again, Nicodemus, to be able to Nicodemus, to be able to enter the kingdom of God.enter the kingdom of God.

N: Born again?!! How??? I am N: Born again?!! How??? I am too old to enter into my too old to enter into my mother’s womb again! mother’s womb again!

J: Being born again means J: Being born again means you have to be baptized, you have to be baptized, because unless one is born of because unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of cannot enter the kingdom of God. God.

N: Sorry Master, I don’t N: Sorry Master, I don’t understand…Can you give understand…Can you give me an example please?me an example please?

J: Sure, Nicodemus…J: Sure, Nicodemus…

J: …The first time we J: …The first time we are born by flesh from are born by flesh from your mother but this your mother but this time you will be born time you will be born from the Spirit.from the Spirit.

N: How do you I feel N: How do you I feel this Spiritthis Spirit

J: The Spirit is like the J: The Spirit is like the wind you feel it but wind you feel it but you do not know you do not know where it came from where it came from and where it is going.and where it is going.

N: So I will feel the N: So I will feel the Spirit when I am Spirit when I am born of the Spiritborn of the Spirit

What was the lesson that the What was the lesson that the Lord gave to Nicodemus?Lord gave to Nicodemus?

Baptism is to be born of the Holy Spirit and it is Baptism is to be born of the Holy Spirit and it is necessary to enter the kingdom of God.necessary to enter the kingdom of God.

After baptism, faith and After baptism, faith and love for the Crucified Christ, repentance, receiving the Holy Communion keep the poisonous sin away from us an thus we become pure.

Rituals of BaptismRituals of Baptism

How many times does the priest immerse the baby in the water?

Why does he immerse the baby in the water? By immersion into the water three times, this stands for Christ’s

burial in for three days and then His resurrection. Is it just water? What does the baby receive through baptism?

The Holy Spirit, and thus the baby becomes Christian The Holy Spirit guides us in our life as Christians.

QuestionsQuestions What is the name of the feast during which Jesus got baptized?What is the name of the feast during which Jesus got baptized? What day in the year is it?What day in the year is it? What is the name of the man who came to Jesus during the What is the name of the man who came to Jesus during the

night?night? Why did he come by night?Why did he come by night? What did Jesus tell him he has to do to enter the kingdom of What did Jesus tell him he has to do to enter the kingdom of

God? Did he understand?God? Did he understand? What did Jesus mean by being born again?What did Jesus mean by being born again? How is the sacrament of Baptism practiced? What does this How is the sacrament of Baptism practiced? What does this

mean?mean? How can we live in baptism now? … went to meet …… by night and Christ spoke about the

Sacrament of …… Unless one is born of …… and …… he cannot …… the Kingdom

of God

ConclusionsConclusions

We should learn a lesson from Nicodemus and go to the Lord to consult Him about our problems.

Baptism is a new birth from the Holy Spirit and repentance is a second birth. We have to confess our sins and repent and receive the Holy Communion so that the work of baptism may be renewed in us.

VerseVerse

“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5)