18 Facts About Baptism

Baptism is a form of ritual purification—a characteristic of many religions throughout time and geography.

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.

Baptism is called christening, although some reserve the word "christening" for the baptism of infants.

Baptism is considered to be a form of rebirth—"by water and the Spirit"—the nakedness of baptism paralleled the condition of one's original birth.

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Baptism is not a human work; it is the place where God does the work that only God can do.

Baptism does not accomplish anything in itself, but is an outward personal sign that the person's sins have already been washed away by the blood of Christ's cross.

Baptism is not a human work; it is the place where God does the work that only God can do.

Baptism is understood as a confessional expression of faith and repentance, rather than a "work" that earns salvation.

Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is a sign of regeneration or the new birth.

Baptism is held by almost the entire Reformed tradition to effect regeneration, even in infants who are incapable of faith, by effecting faith which would come to fruition later.

Baptism is seen as a replacement of circumcision, which is considered the rite of initiation into the covenant of grace in the Old Testament.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.

Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Since Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil, one or more exorcisms are pronounced over the candidate".

Baptism is part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, provided for converts from non-Christian backgrounds and others not baptized as infants.

Properly and generally, the Mystery of Baptism is administered by bishops and other priests; however, in emergencies any Orthodox Christian can baptize.

Baptism is seen as symbolic both of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection and is symbolic of the baptized individual discarding their "natural" self and donning a new identity as a disciple of Jesus.

Baptism is clearly rooted in Jewish purificatory rituals, and cult meals are so widespread in antiquity that any specific derivation is arbitrary.