Written by Gustave - Updated on Dec 12, 2024
Christian or not, do you want to understand Christian baptism, its meaning and its raison d'être? Are you also interested in its importance in the lives of Christians, particularly Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants?
As a practicing Christian, we'd like to talk to you about baptism, to help you understand it better.
Baptism is one of the most important Christian rites. Almost all Christian churches baptize their followers. For some, however, it is performed during childhood, while for others it is performed as an adult. For Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants in particular, it's a sacrament of faith in Christ.
In this review, we'll explain a few things about baptism:
- The purpose of baptism,
- Its practice,
- Its importance in the Christian religion.
Before you continue reading, we invite you to take a look at our baptism blog and find out more:
- What gift to give for a christening?
- How to create a christening announcement?
What is a religious christening?
Baptism is a rite during which a person (child or adult) receives a blessing, symbolized by holy water presented in a chalice. Today's churches, notably Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant, mainly baptize children. They may also accept adult baptism.
In the Bible, to be baptized is to be immersed in water and to come out again. In Matthew's Gospel, he recounts how Jesus was baptized in a river.
In the epistles to the Romans and Colossians, the Bible compares baptism to “burial”. It symbolizes a person's death in terms of their past, and rebirth to live a new life as a Christian and devoted believer in Christ. Through baptism and the steps leading up to it, a person can therefore have a pure conscience based on faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Son of God. This is what is written in Peter's Gospel. Again in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus also taught his followers about baptism as a Christian obligation. He proposed this act to all so that everyone might have life in God. Before his death on earth, he entrusted it to his Church. In Matthew's Gospel, we find his words commanding his disciples not only to spread the word of God, but also to baptize all nations by pronouncing the Trinity.
Etymologically, the word “baptism” comes from the Greek “baptizein”, meaning “to plunge, to immerse”. In theology, the meaning of baptism is not simply 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 with Christ, it is through the Holy Spirit that human beings become sons of the same Father and brothers of Jesus. Baptism is also marked by the sign of the cross.
For a person, child or adult, baptism symbolizes entry into the Church. He or she must have a godparent. The godparents' role is to ensure that the child is brought up according to the Word of God. To become a godparent, you need to meet a number of conditions, such as being legitimately married, being in the same church as the child, and so on. You also need to follow a number of training courses with the priests.
Why get baptized?
For parents, to baptize their child is to offer him or her to Christ. And, as we've already said, it also symbolizes joining the Church. For Catholics in particular, baptism is also the first of the 7 sacraments ahead of the Eucharist (communion), the sacrament of confirmation, marriage, reconciliation, ordination (when you become a priest) and the anointing of the sick. For Protestants, baptism is the rite that must precede the catechumen. While baptism can be performed in infancy, the catechumen is reserved for people who are conscious of and determined to go further in their faith by accepting 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 performed when the baby is born. This sacrament, known as the “mystery”, confers forgiveness for original and present sins. For the Orthodox, it is a real and mystical cooperation in the death and Resurrection of Christ.
For adults or catechumens wishing to be baptized, it means giving their body and soul to Christ.
Before explaining how baptism works for Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians, we'd like to share with you a religious site offering baptismal jewelry engraved with Our Lady, Saint Joseph, Jesus Christ, a Guardian Angel and much more...
The religious boutique La Couronne offers a selection of handcrafted jewelry in gold. You can discover Christian jewelry with unique gold baptism medals by clicking on the link on the page.
How does baptism work?
For Catholics, Orthodox 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, together, they decide on the date. 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 moment of baptism, there are a few rituals to follow before the actual christening. The priest pours holy water over the child's head, then places the sacred chrism on the forehead. The godfather and godmother dress the child in the white robe symbolizing 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 major investment on the part of the godparents. For this religion, baptism and chrismation (the equivalent of confirmation) form a single ceremony that precedes communion. It begins when the baby is born, and is granted only to legitimately married parents. On the 8th day after birth, the baby is given its name. This is the first stage of baptism. The event takes place in the vestibule of the church, where the priest makes a sign of the cross over the child's mouth and chest. On the fortieth day of birth, the child is then taken to the church. This is the second sacrament. The baby is immersed in holy water three times, then wrapped in a new white habit held by its godparents. 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 from his forehead, both sides of his head and the nape of his neck.
- For Protestants:
Once parents have decided to have their children baptized, they come to the pastor to discuss the matter. The date is then chosen. Parents must also choose a godmother or godfather for each child. Children from the same family can be entrusted to the same person. This person can also be one of the parents. The conditions remain the same as for Orthodox and Catholics: parents and godparents must be legitimately married and baptized themselves. They must also obtain a certificate showing that they have already undergone training to be a catechumen. The actual baptism process is a little different from that of the Catholics and Orthodox. The child receives his or her blessing using holy water. There is no mir or candle lighting.
Whether Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant, certain documents may be requested by the parish official. However, neither parents nor godparents are required to make any payment. Nevertheless, they may give gifts or offerings after the naming ceremony or liturgy.
The role of godparents
Whatever the religion, the way to choose the godparents of the child to be baptized is always the same. It's up to the parents. They can choose family members or friends who are baptized and of the same religion as themselves. They must be people in whom the parents have complete confidence. They must be serious, and the most important thing is the greatness of their faith.
Godparents are considered “witnesses of faith in Christ”. Their main mission is to assist the biological or adoptive parents, who take care of the child's religious education. They are also expected to accompany their godchildren to each sacrament he/she will receive, i.e. the 6 other sacraments for Catholics. Like the godparents of a civil baptism, they also undertake to be present in the child's life. However, they have no particular legal status.
During the ceremony, the godparents vouch for the baby's faith and accept the responsibility of “spiritual parents”. This means that they undertake to help the child and look after his or her needs if the parents are no longer able to do so.
Adult baptism
As 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 may be the bishop, the preacher, the pastor, the priest, and so on. It's even possible to talk to the deacon if he has the authority to perform the sacrament. Then the date is set. There are also training courses to follow up to D-day. Adult baptisms are usually performed by Catholics and Protestants. For Orthodox Christians, baptism is performed at birth, as already mentioned.
Adults living as a couple, but not yet legitimately married, can begin a catechumenate process. This will help them move forward in their faith and gradually integrate into the Christian community. However, their married life is still considered as concubinage. It is therefore not accepted by Christianity and does not allow them access to the sacrament. Nevertheless, the process helps the couple to clarify their situation. The two people can then decide to marry, or in other cases, to separate. Only when the situation is clear between them can they receive baptism. In some more painful cases, baptism remains an unattainable desire.
In the case of adults who have divorced and remarried, divorce allows them to start the catechumenate process all over again. They can reintegrate into the Christian community. However, they cannot be baptized. Protestants receive a blessing.
