Baptism
- This article is about water Baptism. For Baptism in the Holy Spirit, see Pentecostalism.
- Christians who belong to Baptist churches are known as Baptists.
Baptism is a rite or ceremony performed by most Christian churches and denominations. It is done as a cleansing symbol; showing that the person being baptised has become a follower of Jesus.
| “ | Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned | ” |
—Mark 16:16 | ||
Methods
Roman Catholicism do it to infants to mark their becoming members of the church [1]. It is a sacrament usually performed by a priest. In most other churches, it is when the person is old enough to decide that they are ready.
Some churches sprinkle water on the person. Other churches use immersion or dunking in the water.
Bible times
In the Old Testament, a similar washing ceremony was done when priests were ordained.[2] Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist before he began his ministry.[3] The usual form of baptism among the earliest Christians was for the person to be immersed totally or partially. But sprinkling, or pouring, was also practiced at an early day with sick and dying persons when total or partial immersion was not practical.
Other websites
- "Baptism." Encyclopædia Britannica Online.