Difference between revisions of "Baptize"
PeterWilson (Talk | contribs) (New page: To '''baptize''' a person is to admit her or him to membership of the Christian religion. There are many further subtleties of meaning, practice and belief that lie behind the simple defin...) |
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To '''baptize''' a person is to admit her or him to membership of the Christian religion. There are many further subtleties of meaning, practice and belief that lie behind the simple definition - and that may be disputed between different [[Principal Christian Denominations|denominations]]. What is written here is intended as a simple outline fro those that know nothing of the matter. | To '''baptize''' a person is to admit her or him to membership of the Christian religion. There are many further subtleties of meaning, practice and belief that lie behind the simple definition - and that may be disputed between different [[Principal Christian Denominations|denominations]]. What is written here is intended as a simple outline fro those that know nothing of the matter. | ||
| − | The ceremony of '''baptism''' (the [[noun]] to do with the [[verb]] 'to '''baptize'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>) | + | The [[sacrament]] (ceremony) of '''baptism''' (the [[noun]] to do with the [[verb]] 'to '''baptize'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>) is in essence a [[symbol]]ic 'washing away of [[original Sin|[original] sin]]' to make a person fit to present to God and the Christian community. Baptism is most commonly nowadays (in all the mainstream [[Principal Christian Denominations|churches]]) performed on babies soon after their birth. In this case, the celebrant, holding the baby over a '''font''', or ritual water-holder, pours a small amount over the forehead, to indicate the washing away of sin. Other parts of the ceremony may include undertakings made on the child's behalf, by parents and [[god-parents]]; prayers; anointing with oil, with or without signing with [[the Cross]]; and various candles, [[symbol]]ic white robes; and so on. |
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[[-ise - -ize]] | [[-ise - -ize]] | ||
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Revision as of 23:28, 15 February 2011
To baptize a person is to admit her or him to membership of the Christian religion. There are many further subtleties of meaning, practice and belief that lie behind the simple definition - and that may be disputed between different denominations. What is written here is intended as a simple outline fro those that know nothing of the matter.
The sacrament (ceremony) of baptism (the noun to do with the verb 'to baptize') is in essence a symbolic 'washing away of [original] sin' to make a person fit to present to God and the Christian community. Baptism is most commonly nowadays (in all the mainstream churches) performed on babies soon after their birth. In this case, the celebrant, holding the baby over a font, or ritual water-holder, pours a small amount over the forehead, to indicate the washing away of sin. Other parts of the ceremony may include undertakings made on the child's behalf, by parents and god-parents; prayers; anointing with oil, with or without signing with the Cross; and various candles, symbolic white robes; and so on.
