Religious Baptism Definition: Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant

Whether you're a Christian or not, do you want to understand Christian baptism, its meaning, and its purpose? Are you also interested in its importance in the lives of Christians, particularly Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Protestants?

As a practicing Christian, we will 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, in adulthood. For Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants in particular, it is a sacred act of faith in Christ.

Through this review, you will have some explanations concerning:

Before continuing your reading, we invite you to read our baptism blog and discover them after your reading:

• What gift to give for a baptism?
• How to create a baptism announcement?

What is religious baptism?

Baptism is a rite during which a person (child or adult) receives a blessing, symbolized by holy water presented in a chalice. Modern churches, particularly Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant, primarily baptize children. They also sometimes accept adult baptism.

In the Bible, being baptized means being put in and out of water. 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 a person's death to their past and their rebirth to live a new life as a Christian and a believer dedicated to Christ. Through baptism and the steps leading to it, a person can therefore have a clear conscience based on their 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 as 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 stages of training with the Priests.

Why get baptized?

For parents, baptizing their child is an offering to Christ. And as already mentioned, it also symbolizes their arrival in the Church. For Catholics in particular, baptism is also the first of the seven 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 godparents. They are volunteers. For the Orthodox, the first stage 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 their body and soul to Christ.

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How does baptism take place?

For Catholics, Orthodox Christians and Protestants, the procedures and steps to follow for baptism are not the same.

• 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 officials 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 robe which symbolizes purity. And finally, the celebrant lights the candle and gives it to the godfather.

• For the Orthodox:

Orthodox baptism takes place in several stages and is particularly marked by a significant investment from 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 baby's birth, 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 a 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 six days after the second sacrament. The child is taken to the church again for ablution. He is sprinkled with water, and then his hair is cut on the forehead, on both sides of the head, and on the nape of the neck.

• For Protestants:

After deciding to have their children baptized , the parents come to talk to the pastor. 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 a single person. This person can also be one of the parents themselves. The conditions remain the same as for Orthodox and Catholics, the parents and godparents must be legally married and baptized themselves. They must also obtain a certificate showing that they have already completed training to be a catechumen . The actual baptism process is a little different from that of Catholics and Orthodox. The child receives his or her blessing using holy water. There is no mir or candle lighting.

Whether for Catholics, Orthodox, or Protestants, certain documents may be requested by the parish leader. However, neither parents nor godparents are required to make any payment. However, they may give gifts or offerings after baptism ceremonies or the liturgy .

The roles of godparents

Regardless of religion, the method of choosing the godfather and godmother of the child to be baptized is always the same. This is up to the parents. They can choose family members or friends who are baptized and of the same religion as them. They must be people the parents trust completely. They must be serious, and most importantly, they must have the greatness of their faith.

Godparents are considered "witnesses of the faith in Christ." Their primary mission is to assist the biological or adoptive parents, who care for the child in their religious education. They must also act as companions for their godchildren at each sacrament they receive, which for Catholics includes the other six sacraments. Like godparents at a civil baptism , they also commit to being present in the child's life. However, they have no specific legal status under the law.

During the ceremony, the godparents guarantee the baby's faith and accept the responsibility of "spiritual parents." They therefore commit to helping the child and ensuring their needs are met if their parents are no longer able to do so.

Adult baptism

Since there is no age limit for baptism, 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, preacher, pastor, 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 day. Usually, it is Catholics and Protestants who perform adult baptism . For the Orthodox, baptism is to be done at birth as already stated.

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 gradually into the Christian community. However, their life as a couple is still considered cohabitation. It is therefore not accepted by Christianity and it does not allow them to gain 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 some more painful cases, baptism remains an unrealizable desire.

For adults who have divorced and remarried, divorce allows them to begin the catechumenate process again. They can reintegrate into the Christian community. However, they cannot receive baptism . Among Protestants, they receive a blessing.

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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's right for you. You can have your children baptized at any age. You can also be baptized yourself. However, you must prepare to become a catechumen and for the entire baptismal preparation process.

We now invite you to visit our site for more information about the Christian religion.