Baptism
The water ceremony marking a person's entry into the Christian faith and the church. Some traditions baptize infants by sprinkling or pouring; others baptize believers by full immersion.
What they actually mean
“"The water ritual that officially makes you part of the church."”
Heard in the wild
“We're having baptisms at the lake next Sunday.”
“Both our kids were baptized as babies at St. Mark's.”
The Lighter Side
Some churches use a few drops. Some use a hot tub built into the stage. Some use a river. Nobody uses a Super Soaker, and honestly, that's a missed opportunity for the youth group.
The longer version
What it means
Baptism is the ritual with water that marks the beginning of the Christian life and membership in the church. Jesus was baptized, commanded His followers to baptize, and the church has done it ever since. The water symbolizes — and, in most traditions, does more than symbolize — washing, death and new life, and being joined to Christ.
Two big differences divide the traditions. Who: Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians baptize infants of Christian parents, who are later confirmed; Baptists, Pentecostals, and most evangelicals baptize only people old enough to profess faith themselves ("believer's baptism"). How: infant-baptizing churches usually sprinkle or pour; believer-baptizing churches usually fully immerse, in a built-in tank ("baptistery"), a pool, or a lake. Everyone uses water and the words "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Why people say it
Christians baptize because Jesus told them to and because the New Testament ties it to becoming a Christian — "repent and be baptized" is Peter's instruction at Pentecost. Traditions differ on exactly what it does: Catholics, Orthodox, and Lutherans say it washes away sin and brings new birth; Reformed churches see it as a sign and seal of God's promise; Baptists see it as a public declaration of faith already held. But every tradition treats it as the doorway.
How to respond
If you're invited to a baptism, go; it's a joyful event, and at believer's baptisms the person often tells their story first. If you're asked whether you've been baptized, it's a factual question about whether you've had the ceremony, not a test. If a church asks you to be baptized as part of joining, it's because they take the ceremony seriously; you can ask what it involves and take your time.
If you hear it in different churches
Catholics baptize infants by pouring, usually within the first months; confirmation comes later. Orthodox baptize infants by full immersion (three times) and confirm them immediately. Anglicans and Lutherans baptize infants by pouring and confirm in the teens. Methodists and Presbyterians baptize infants or adults, usually by sprinkling. Baptists baptize professing believers by immersion, and many require it for membership. Pentecostals and non-denominational churches do the same, often at outdoor events.
Where does “Baptism” come from?
John the Baptist baptized in the Jordan, and Jesus was baptized by him (Matthew 3). The Greek baptizo means to dip or immerse. Jesus' final command includes baptizing "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19), and Acts records baptisms at every conversion. Infant baptism is attested by the early 200s and was standard by the 400s. The Anabaptists of 1525 in Zurich reintroduced believer's baptism, at great cost, and the Baptist movement of the 1600s made it a defining conviction. The dispute has remained one of the most durable in Christianity, though the Nicene Creed's "one baptism" is affirmed by all.
Good to know
Whether to baptize infants is one of the oldest disputes between Christian traditions, and it's not going to be resolved at your dinner table. "Christening" is the same thing as infant baptism, usually said by Anglicans and Catholics. If you were baptized as a baby and later join a church that practices believer's baptism, they may ask you to be baptized again — or may not.
You might also hear
Dedication (Baby Dedication)
Worship & MusicA ceremony in which parents publicly commit to raising their child in the Christian faith and the church promises to help — used by churches that don't baptize infants.
“"Like an infant baptism, minus the water: the parents promise, the church promises, everyone takes a photo."”
Lord's Supper
Worship & MusicThe ritual of sharing bread and wine (or juice) in memory of Jesus' last meal with His disciples. The name, the meaning, and who may take it vary by tradition.
“"The bread-and-cup ritual. Every church does it; every church explains it a little differently."”
Sacrament
Catholic & OrthodoxA ritual Christians believe carries God's grace through a physical sign — water, bread and wine, oil. Catholics and Orthodox count seven; most Protestants count two.
“"A church ritual where something physical carries something spiritual."”
Born Again
Salvation & ConversionHaving become a Christian — described as a spiritual new beginning, from Jesus' words in John 3 that a person must be "born again."
“"I started over, spiritually. Different person now."”
Go deeper on the network
Common questions
Why do some churches baptize babies and others don't?+
Infant-baptizing churches see baptism as God's act of grace and covenant, like circumcision in the Old Testament. Believer-baptizing churches see it as the person's public response to faith, which a baby can't give. Both cite scripture and history.
Do I have to be baptized to be a Christian?+
Nearly all traditions say baptism is commanded and normal, and most say it's the entry point. Most would also say God isn't limited by it — the thief on the cross wasn't baptized.
What if I was baptized as a baby and want to join a Baptist church?+
Many Baptist churches will ask you to be baptized as a believer; some will accept your infant baptism. Ask — practices vary.
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Written by Rev. Christopher D.F. Warrington, Ordained Minister, M.Div. · Updated September 2026
This entry was compiled with AI assistance and has not yet been reviewed by an ordained pastor.