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Baptism

Baptism (from Koinē Greek: βάπτισμα, romanized: váptisma, lit.'immersion, dipping in water')[1] is a Christian sacrament of initiation almost invariably with the use of water.[2][3] It may be performed by sprinkling or pouring water on the head, or by immersing in water either partially or completely, traditionally three times, once for each person of the Trinity.[4][5][6] The synoptic gospels recount that John the Baptist baptised Jesus.[7][8][9][10] Baptism is considered a sacrament in most churches, and as an ordinance in others. Baptism according to the Trinitarian formula, which is done in most mainstream Christian denominations, is seen as being a basis for Christian ecumenism, the concept of unity amongst Christians.[11][12][13] Baptism is also called christening,[14][15] although some reserve the word "christening" for the baptism of infants.[16] In certain Christian denominations, such as the Catholic Churches, Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Assyrian Church of the East, and Lutheran Churches, baptism is the door to church membership, with candidates taking baptismal vows.[17][18] It has also given its name to the Baptist churches and denominations.

This article is about the rite. "Baptized" and "Baptizing" redirect here. For the denomination, see Baptists. For all other uses, see Baptism (disambiguation) and Baptist (disambiguation).

Certain schools of Christian thought (such as Catholic and Lutheran theology) regard baptism as necessary for salvation, but some writers, such as Huldrych Zwingli (1484–1531), have denied its necessity.[19] Though water baptism is extremely common among Christian denominations, some, such as Quakers and The Salvation Army, do not practice water baptism at all.[20] Among denominations that practice baptism, differences occur in the manner and mode of baptizing and in the understanding of the significance of the rite. Most Christians baptize using the trinitarian formula "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"[21] (following the Great Commission), but Oneness Pentecostals baptize using Jesus' name only.[22] The majority of Christians baptize infants;[a] many others, such as Baptist Churches, regard only believer's baptism as true baptism.[23] In certain denominations, such as the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, the individual being baptized receives a cross necklace that is worn for the rest of their life, inspired by the Sixth Ecumenical Council (Synod) of Constantinople.[24][25]


Outside of Christianity, Mandaeans undergo repeated baptism for purification instead of initiation.[26] They consider John the Baptist to be their greatest prophet and name all rivers yardena after the River Jordan.[26][27][28]: 45 


The term baptism has also been used metaphorically to refer to any ceremony, trial, or experience by which a person is initiated, purified, or given a name.[29] Martyrdom was identified early in Christian church history as "baptism by blood", enabling the salvation of martyrs who had not been baptized by water. Later, the Catholic Church identified a baptism of desire, by which those preparing for baptism who die before actually receiving the sacrament are considered saved.[30] In the Methodist tradition, Baptism with the Holy Spirit, has referred to the second work of grace, entire sanctification; in Pentecostalism, the term Baptism with the Holy Spirit is identified with speaking in tongues.[31]

Etymology[edit]

The English word baptism is derived indirectly through Latin from the neuter Greek concept noun báptisma (Greek βάπτισμα, 'washing, dipping'),[b][32] which is a neologism in the New Testament derived from the masculine Greek noun baptismós (βαπτισμός), a term for ritual washing in Greek language texts of Hellenistic Judaism during the Second Temple period, such as the Septuagint.[33][34] Both of these nouns are derived from the verb baptízō (βαπτίζω, 'I wash' transitive verb), which is used in Jewish texts for ritual washing, and in the New Testament both for ritual washing and also for the apparently new rite of báptisma.


The Greek verb báptō (βάπτω), 'dip', from which the verb baptízō is derived, is in turn hypothetically traced to a reconstructed Indo-European root *gʷabh-, 'dip'.[35][36][37]


The Greek words are used in a great variety of meanings.[38] βάπτω and βαπτίζω in Hellenism had the general usage of "immersion", "going under" (as a material in a liquid dye) or "perishing" (as in a ship sinking or a person drowning), with the same double meanings as in English "to sink into" or "to be overwhelmed by", with bathing or washing only occasionally used and usually in sacral contexts.[39]

baptismós (βαπτισμός) refers in Mark 7:4 to a water-rite for the purpose of purification, washing, cleansing, of dishes;[95] in the same verse and in Hebrews 9:10 to Levitical cleansings of vessels or of the body;[96] and in Hebrews 6:2 perhaps also to baptism, though there it may possibly refer to washing an inanimate object.[95] According to Spiros Zodhiates when referring merely to the cleansing of utensils baptismós (βαπτισμός) is equated with rhantismós (ῥαντισμός, "sprinkling"), found only in Hebrews 12:24 and Peter 1:2, a noun used to indicate the symbolic cleansing by the Old Testament priest.[79]

[94]

báptisma

[97]

Manuscript variation: In Colossians, some manuscripts have neuter noun báptisma (βάπτισμα), but some have masculine noun baptismós (βαπτισμός), and this is the reading given in modern critical editions of the New Testament. If this reading is correct, then this is the only New Testament instance in which baptismós (βαπτισμός) is clearly used of Christian baptism, rather than of a generic washing, unless the opinion of some is correct that Hebrews 6:2 may also refer to Christian baptism.[95]

[102]

The feminine noun baptisis, along with the masculine noun baptismós[104] both occur in Josephus' Antiquities (J. AJ 18.5.2) relating to the murder of John the Baptist by Herod.[105][106] This feminine form is not used elsewhere by Josephus, nor in the New Testament.[107]

[103]

baptisms by other than immersion are not recognized as valid and therefore rebaptism by immersion is required; and

baptisms by immersion in other denominations may be considered valid if performed after the person having professed faith in Jesus Christ (though among the more conservative groups such as , rebaptism may be required by the local congregation if performed in a non-Baptist church – and, in extreme cases, even if performed within a Baptist church that wasn't an Independent Baptist congregation)

Independent Baptists

Non-practitioners[edit]

Quakers[edit]

Quakers (members of the Religious Society of Friends) do not believe in the baptism of either children or adults with water, rejecting all forms of outward sacraments in their religious life. Robert Barclay's Apology for the True Christian Divinity (a historic explanation of Quaker theology from the 17th century), explains Quakers' opposition to baptism with water thus:

Baptismal font

Baptism by fire

Baptistery

Chrism

Christifideles

Consolamentum

Disciple (Christianity)

Divine filiation

Ghusl

Holy water in Eastern Christianity

Mikvah

Misogi

Prevenient Grace

Ritual purification

Theophany

Water and religion

in Sikhism

Amrit Sanchar

(1847). "The Tenth Precept, Which Is on the Sacrament of Baptism." . The Art of Dying Well. Translated by John Dalton. Richardson and Son.

Bellarmine, Robert

Canadian Council of Churches, Commission on Faith and Witness (1992). (PDF). Winfield, B.C.: Wood Lake Books. ISBN 2-89088-527-5. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022.

Initiation into Christ: Ecumenical Reflections and Common Teaching on Preparation for Baptism]

(2009). William the Baptist. Oakland, TN: Doulos Resources. p. 160. ISBN 978-1-4421-8560-9. OCLC 642906193. Archived from the original on July 8, 2009.

Chaney, James M.

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Baptisms - One? Many? Or Both?

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"Chap. II. The Sacraments (Baptism)" 

Fanning, William Henry Windsor (1907). . In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

"Baptism" 

Gerfen, Ernst (1897). "Baptizein": the Voice of the Scriptures and Church History Concerning Baptism. Columbus, Ohio: Press of F.J. Heer.

Guelzo, Allen C (1985). Who Should Be Baptized?: a Case for the Baptism of Infants. Reformed Episcopal Pamphlets. Philadelphia, PA: Reformed Episcopal Publication Society.. 26 pp. N.B.: States the Evangelical Anglican position of the Reformed Episcopal Church.

Guelzo, Allen C (1985). What Does Baptism Mean?: a Brief Lesson in the Spiritual Use of Our Baptisms. Reformed Episcopal Pamphlets. Philadelphia, PA: Reformed Episcopal Publication Society.

Jungkuntz, Richard (1968). The Gospel of Baptism. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House.  444126.

OCLC

Kolb, Robert W. (1997). Make Disciples, baptizing: God's gift of new life and Christian witness. St. Louis: Concordia Seminary.  0-911770-66-6. OCLC 41473438.

ISBN

Linderman, Jim (2009). Take Me to the Water: Immersion Baptism in Vintage Music and Photography 1890–1950. Atlanta: Dust to Digital.  978-0-9817342-1-7.

ISBN

Matzat, Don (Spring 1997). . Issues, Etc. Journal. 2 (3). Retrieved February 26, 2009.

"In Defense of Infant Baptism"

Root, Michael; Saarinen, Risto, eds. (1998). Baptism and the Unity of the Church. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans; Geneva: W.C.C. [i.e. World Council of Churches] Publications. Also mentioned on t.p.: "Institute for Ecumenical Research, Strasbourg, France".  2-8254-1250-3.

ISBN

Scaer, David P. (1999). Baptism. St. Louis: The Luther Academy.  41004868.

OCLC

Schlink, Edmund (1972). The Doctrine of Baptism. St. Louis, Mo: Concordia Publishing House.  0-570-03726-3. OCLC 228096375.

ISBN

Slade, Darren M. (August 15, 2014). (PDF). American Theological Inquiry. 7 (2): 21–34. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014.

"The Early Church's Inconsequential View of the Mode of Baptism"

Stookey, Laurence Hull (1982). Baptism, Christ's act in the church. Nashville, TN: Abingdon.  0-687-02364-5. OCLC 7924841.

ISBN

Torrell, Jean-Pierre (2011). A Priestly People: Baptismal Priesthood and Priestly Ministry. New York/ Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press.  978-0-8091-4815-8.

ISBN

Weigel, George (2016). . First Things.

"The Most Important Day of Your Life"

(1980). Remember who you are: baptism, a model for Christian life. Nashville: Upper Room. ISBN 0-8358-0399-6. OCLC 6485882.

Willimon, William H.

World Council of Churches (1982). Baptism, Eucharist, and ministry. Geneva: . ISBN 2-8254-0709-7. OCLC 9918640.

World Council of Churches

"Writings of the Early Church Fathers on Baptism"

The Sacrament of Baptism in the Catechism of the Catholic Church/Holy See website

Encyclopædia Britannica Online.

"Baptism."

. Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.

"Baptism" 

. Encyclopedia Americana. 1920.

"Baptism"