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| Home : Christianity : Baptism : Baptism |
 Description: Baptism is a water purification ritual practiced in certain religions such as Christianity, Mandaeanism, Sikhism, and some historic sects of Judaism. The word baptize derives from the Greek word ²¬Àĵ¹½ (the infinitive; also listed as the 1st person singular present active indicative ²±Àį¶É), which loosely means "to dip or bathe", but more precisely means to plunge something entirely into the water, so that the water closes over it.
Today, baptism is most famously identified with Christianity, where it symbolizes the cleansing (remission) of sins, and the union of the believer with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. The Christian ritual of baptism traces back to John the Baptist, who the Bible says baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. Baptism among Christians is performed by sprinkling, pouring or full immersion. The choice to be baptized is made by a confessing believer (believer baptism, or credobaptism), regardless of age, as a confession of his faith; or for a child by his or her parents (paedobaptism) according to the parent's confession of faith. Some churches practice credobaptism and some practice paedobaptism. Some practice immersion, some practice pouring, and some practice sprinkling. There are differences in opinion about the nature and practice of Christian baptism. Some denominations, such as Baptists, practice believer baptism, and believe that baptism does not save, but rather publicly demonstrates that a person has been saved through his union with Christ.
Other people, including Martin Luther, have placed a much greater importance on baptism. Luther states in The Large Catechism of 1529AD,
"To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save. No one is baptized in order to become a prince, but as the words say, to 'be saved.' To be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and live with him forever."
For Christians, pouring or washing with water demonstrates being cleansed of one's sins, while immersion demonstrates both cleansing of sin and burial with Christ. Practicing baptism in a public setting is a testimony of the person's faith, and an expression of their covenantal union with Christ.
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| Resource Specification | | CustomTeaserText: | Baptism is a water purification ritual practiced in certain religions such as Christianity, Mandaeanism, Sikhism, and some historic sects of Judaism. The word baptize derives from the Greek word ²¬Àĵ¹½ (the infinitive; also listed as the 1st person singular present active indicative ²±Àį¶É), which loosely means "to dip or bathe", but more precisely means to plunge something entirely into the water, so that the water closes over it. | | Date Added: | 23pm28UTC_f2005Wed, 23 Feb 2005 22:12:32 +000002pm28 |
| Last Updated: | 23pm28UTC_f2005Wed, 23 Feb 2005 22:12:32 +000002pm28 | | Author: | admin |
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