Final answer:
Option (a), The two principal meanings of Baptism are cleansing from sin and initiation into the Christian community, acting as both a spiritual purification and a significant rite of passage into the faith.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two principal meanings of Baptism with respect to its religious or spiritual effect are a. Cleansing from sin and initiation into the Christian community. This sacrament is believed to be necessary for purging original sin, especially important given the high rate of infant mortality during medieval times when Baptism was often performed immediately after birth. Furthermore, Baptism serves as an essential rite of passage, a symbol of spiritual rebirth, and the formal act of becoming a member of the Christian faith community.
In addition to being an act of purification, Baptism is also seen as an important step in the process of incorporation into the church. This ceremony, elevated beyond a mere initiatory rite, was considered a transformative event that cemented an individual’s permanent membership in the church. Early Christian authors like Justin Martyr and Clement of Alexandria used terms such as ‘illumination’ to describe the enlightening aspect of Baptism, highlighting its role as the culmination of joining the Christian community.