baptism
noun
Did you know?
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.
Synonyms
Examples of baptism in a Sentence
Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024
That same negative dynamic — deaths outnumbering baptisms and converts combined — exists at 33 other churches, according to the archdiocese.
—Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for baptism 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baptism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near baptism
Cite this Entry
“Baptism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baptism. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
baptism
noun
Share