baptism
noun
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In Christianity, baptism is the sacrament of admission to the church, symbolized by the pouring or sprinkling of water on the head or by immersion in water. The ceremony is usually accompanied by the words “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” In the doctrine originated by St. Paul, it signifies the wiping away of past sins and the rebirth of the individual into a new life. Judaism practiced ritual purification by immersion, and the Gospels report that John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Baptism was an important ritual in the early church by the first century ce, and infant baptism appeared c. 200 ce. Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and most Protestant churches practice infant baptism. The Anabaptist reformers insisted on adult baptism after a confession of faith; modern Baptists and the Disciples of Christ also practice adult baptism.
Examples of baptism in a Sentence
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
The church and its outreach mission are still carrying on with partial services, led by Zervos, as well as Bible study, weddings and baptisms.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
McCaskey, a Bears vice president, listed important moments of his mother’s life including her birthday, the sacraments of baptism and First Communion.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
At the church where the baptisms took place, nationalist emblems jostle with religious iconography.
—Fatjona Mejdini, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Baptism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baptism. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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baptism
noun
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