Written by Benoît Santos - Updated on Feb 11, 2025
Christian or not, do you want to understand Christian baptism, its meaning, its reason for being? Are you also interested in its importance in the lives of Christians, particularly Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants?
As a practicing Christian, we are going to discuss everything concerning baptism to help you understand and know it better.
Baptism is one of the most important Christian rites. Almost all Christian churches baptize their followers. However, in some it is practiced during childhood, and in others, as an adult. For Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants in particular, it is a sacrament of faith in Christ.
Through this review, you will have some explanations concerning:
- The reason for baptism,
- His practice,
- Its importance in the Christian religion.
Before continuing your reading, we invite you to read our baptism blog and discover them after your reading:
What is religious baptism?
Baptism is a rite during which a person (child or adult) receives a blessing and which is symbolized by holy water presented in a chalice. Current churches, especially those of the Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants, mainly baptize children. They also sometimes accept the baptism of adults.
In the Bible, being baptized means being put in water and coming out again. In the Gospel of Matthew, it tells how Jesus was baptized in a river .
In the epistles to the Romans and Colossians, the Bible compares baptism to a "burial." It symbolizes the death of a person to his past and the rebirth to live a new life as a Christian and believer dedicated to Christ. Through baptism and the steps leading to it, a person can therefore have a clear conscience based on his faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the son of God. This is what is written in the Gospel of Peter. Again in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus also taught his followers about baptism that it is a Christian obligation. He proposed this act to all so that everyone would have life in God. Before his death on earth, he entrusted it to his Church. In the Gospel of Matthew, there are his words ordering his disciples to go and spread the word of God but also to have all nations baptized by pronouncing the Trinity .
Etymologically, the word "baptism" comes from the Greek "baptizein" which means "to plunge, to immerse". In theology, the meaning of baptism is not only to be immersed in water, but rather to be immersed in the death and resurrection of Christ . Baptism is therefore a rite of passage. Configured to Christ, it is through the Holy Spirit that humans become sons of the same Father and brothers of Jesus. Baptism is also marked by the sign of the cross.
For a person, a child or an adult, being baptized symbolizes entry into the Church. It must have a godfather or godmother. Their role is to guarantee the education of the child according to the word of God. To become a godfather and godmother , there are several conditions to fulfill such as being legally married, being in the same Church as the child, etc. It is also necessary to follow some training steps with the Priests.
Why get baptized?
For parents, baptizing their child is offering them to Christ. And as already said, it also symbolizes the arrival in the Church. For Catholics in particular, baptism is also the first of the 7 sacraments. which must precede the Eucharist (communion), the sacrament of confirmation, marriage, reconciliation, ordination (when one becomes a priest) and the anointing of the sick. For Protestants, baptism is the rite that must precede the catechumen . If baptism can be done from early childhood, the catechumen is reserved for people who are conscious and decided to go further in their faith by agreeing to spread the gospel and the holy word. They no longer need godfathers or godmothers. They are volunteers. For the Orthodox, the first step of baptism is to be done at the birth of the baby . This sacrament is called "mystery" and attributes forgiveness for original sin and actual sins. It is for the Orthodox, a real and mystical cooperation in the death and Resurrection of Christ.
For adults or catechumens who wish to be baptized, it is a matter of giving one's body and soul to Christ.
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How does baptism take place?
For Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants, the procedures and steps to follow for baptism are not the same.
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For Catholics:
It is necessary to speak to the Priest about the parents' desire to have their child baptized. Then, they decide on the date together. Preparation and reflection meetings are then organized with the godparents. At the same time, the documents requested by the church leaders must be prepared. At the time of baptism , there are some rituals to follow before moving on to the actual baptism. The priest pours holy water on the child's head, then places the holy chrism on his forehead. The child is dressed by the godfather and godmother in his white dress which symbolizes purity. And finally, the celebrant lights the candle and gives it to the godfather.
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For the Orthodox:
Orthodox baptism takes place in several stages and is particularly marked by a significant investment by the godfather and godmother. For this religion, baptism and chrismation, which is the equivalent of confirmation, represent a single ceremony that precedes communion. It begins at the birth of the baby and is only granted to legally married parents. On the 8th day after the birth of the baby, it must be given its name. This is the first stage of baptism . The event takes place in the vestibule of the church where the priest places the sign of the cross on the child's mouth and chest. On the fortieth day after its birth, the child is then taken to church. This is the second sacrament. The baby is immersed in holy water three times and then wrapped in a new white habit held by its godfather and godmother. The rest of the ceremony is similar to that of Catholics. There is also the use of the mir, the lighting of a candle and the reading of the Holy Bible. The third and final sacrament takes place 6 days after the second sacrament. The child is again taken to the church for ablution. He is sprinkled with water and then his hair is cut at the forehead, on both sides of the head and at the nape of the neck.
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For Protestants:
After deciding to have their children baptized , the parents come to talk to the pastor about it. The date is then to be chosen. The parents must also choose a godmother or godfather for each child. For children from the same family, it is possible to entrust them to one and the same person. This person can also be one of the parents themselves. The conditions remain the same as for the Orthodox and the Catholics, the parents and the godparents must be legally married and baptized themselves. They must also obtain a certificate showing that they have already followed training to be a catechumen . The actual baptism process is a little different from that of the Catholics and the Orthodox. The child receives his blessing using holy water. There is no mir or lighting of a candle.
Whether for Catholics, Orthodox or Protestants, some documents may be requested by the parish leader. However, neither parents nor godparents have to make any payment. Nevertheless, they can give gifts or offerings after the baptismal ceremonies or the liturgy .
The roles of godparents
Regardless of religion, the way to choose the godfather and godmother of the child to be baptized is always the same. It is up to the parents. They can choose family members or friends who are baptized and who are of the same religion as them. They must be people in whom the parents have complete trust. They must be serious and the most important thing is the greatness of their faith.
The godfather and godmother are considered as the "witnesses of faith in Christ". Their main mission is to support the biological or adoptive parents who take care of the child in his/her religious education. They must also play the role of companions for their godchildren or goddaughters at each sacrament that he/she will receive, that is to say the 6 other sacraments for Catholics. Like the godfathers and godmothers of a civil baptism , they also commit to being present in the life of the child. However, with regard to the law, they do not have any particular legal status.
During the ceremony, the godfather and godmother guarantee the baby's faith and accept the responsibility of "spiritual parents". They therefore commit to come to the child's aid and to look after his needs if his parents are no longer able to do so.
Adult baptism
Since there is no age limit for being baptized, adults who have not yet received this sacrament can also request it. The person must first speak with an ordinary minister. This can be the bishop, the preacher, the pastor, the priest, etc. It is even possible to discuss with the deacon if he has the authority to perform the sacrament. Then the date is set. There are also training courses to follow until the big day. Usually, it is the Catholics and Protestants who perform the baptism of adults . For the Orthodox, baptism is to be done at birth as already said.
For adults who live as a couple but are not yet legally married, they can already embark on a process of catechumenate. This will help them to advance in faith and to integrate progressively into the Christian community. However, their life as a couple is still considered as concubinage. It is therefore not accepted by Christianity and it does not allow them to obtain access to the sacrament. Nevertheless, the process helps the couple to clarify their situation. The two people can thus decide to marry or in other cases, to separate. It is only when the situation is clear between them that they can receive baptism . In certain more painful cases, baptism remains an unrealizable desire.
In the case of adults who have divorced and remarried, divorce allows them to start the catechumenate process again. They can reintegrate into the Christian community. However, they cannot receive baptism . Among Protestants, they receive a blessing.
Make your decision, are you for or against baptism?
Now that you know the whys and wherefores of baptism , you can make the decision that is right for you. You can have your children baptized at any age. You can also be baptized yourself. However, you must prepare yourself to become a catechumen and for the entire preparation for baptism.
We now invite you to come and visit our site to have more information concerning the Christian religion.
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