Baptism

Baptism is a special service performed when a person joins the Church and the Christian way of life. Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist as a sign of his commitment to God. Christians believe they should make the same commitment to God through baptism.

Baptism traditionally involves the submerging of the whole body in holy water. As the person emerges out of the water, they are reborn into the way of Christ, and cleansed of all their previous sins.

The total immersion of the body is still practised in some Orthodox and Baptist denominations. Most Anglican and Catholic churches now pour water over the person’s head.

Baptism is also known as christening. Some Christians are critical of baby baptisms, arguing that people must be old enough to understand the true meaning of the ceremony. This is why, in the Catholic Church, people can choose to be confirmed when they are old enough to understand the meaning of their commitment and to make their baptism promises for themselves.