Baptism: meaning, definitions and examples

religious ceremony

Baptism is a Christian sacrament of initiation and adoption, almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally. The canonical Gospels report that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, after which the apostles began baptizing new believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

baptizing, christening, initiation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
baptism	Used metaphorically to describe a challenging introduction to something. Her first day on the job was a real baptism by fire
christening	A religious ceremony specifically for naming and baptizing a baby, often synonymous with baptism but generally used in a more formal or celebratory context. They had a big christening party for their newborn daughter
baptizing	The act of performing the baptism ceremony. The priest was baptizing the children in the church
initiation	A ceremony or process that marks the beginning of something or someone's introduction into a group, often non-religious. The club held an initiation ceremony for its new members

Examples of usage

• The baby received baptism in the church.

• She decided to undergo baptism as a symbol of her faith.

• Many people view baptism as a significant spiritual milestone.

• John performed baptisms in the river.

• The baptismal font is used for the ceremony.