What is "baptism"

Baptism \Bap"tism\, n. [OE. baptim, baptem, OF. baptesme, batisme, F. bapt[^e]me, L. baptisma, fr. Gr. ba`ptisma, fr. bapti`zein to baptize, fr. ba`ptein to dip in water, akin to baqy`s deep, Skr. g[=a]h to dip, bathe, v. i.] The act of baptizing; the application of water to a person, as a sacrament or religious ceremony, by which he is initiated into the visible church of Christ. This is performed by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring.

c.1300, bapteme, from Old French batesme, bapteme (11c., Modern French baptême), from Latin baptismus, from Greek baptismos, noun of action from baptizein (see baptize). The -s- restored in later 14c.\n

\nFigurative sense is from late 14c. The Anglo-Saxons used fulluht in this sense (John the Baptist was Iohannes se Fulluhtere). Phrase baptism of fire "a soldier's first experience of battle" (1857) translates French baptême de feu; the phrase originally was ecclesiastical Greek baptisma pyros and meant "the grace of the Holy Spirit as imparted through baptism." Later it was used of martyrdom, especially by burning.

n. 1 The Bible Baptist Christian personal ordinance in which one is submerged in water. 2 The Christian sacrament in which one is anointed with or submerged in water and sometimes given a name. 3 A similar ceremony of initiation, purification or naming.

n. a Christian sacrament signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth; "most churches baptize infants but some insist on adult baptism"

Baptism (full title Krst pod Triglavom - Baptism Below Triglav) is soundtrack album by Laibach. It is the soundtrack to the Neue Slowenische Kunst production of the same name. All music and lyrics by Laibach, except where noted.

Baptism is the seventh studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on May 17, 2004, by Virgin Records. It reached #14 on the Billboard 200 and #74 on the UK Albums Chart. As of March 2008, Baptism has sold 551,000 units in the U.S.

Baptism is a black metal band from Finland. The band was formed in 1998 by vocalist/guitarist Lord Sargofagian and drummer Demonium. The summer of that year the band released their first demo, Satanic Rituals, although very few copies were released. Following a two year hiatus the band released their second demo, Sons of Ruin & Terror, in 2000. Similar to the last demo the release was limited. After the addition of bassist Slaughterer the band released their first full length album, The Beherial Midnight, on June 12, 2002. 2004 would see three releases, from the band, a split CD with Uncreation's Dawn and the EPs Wisdom & Hate and Black Ceremony. The band released their second full length album in 2005 entitled Morbid wings of Sathanas. Currently Slaughterer and Demonium have left the band leaving Lord Sargofagian as the only official member.

Baptism is a rite of admission into the Christian church.

Baptism may also refer to:

"Baptism", also known as "Down with the Old Man (Up with the New)", is a song written by Mickey Cates, depicting a believer's baptism down an eastern Texas river.

In 1999, the song was recorded by Kenny Chesney and Randy Travis on the album Everywhere We Go and in 2000, Randy Travis recorded it on the album Inspirational Journey. The solo version was released as a single, peaking at 75th position at the country singles chart of the United States.

In 2001 the Randy Travis solo recording was awarded an GMA Dove Award in the "Country song of the year" category.

In 1999 the song was recorded by Susie Luchsinger on the album Raised on Faith.

Baptism is a 2012 crime novel by British author Max Kinnings. A movie based on the book has also been commissioned

Baptism (from the Greek noun βάπτισμα baptisma; see below) is a Christian sacrament of admission and adoption, almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally. The canonical Gospels report that Jesus was baptized—a historical event to which a high degree of certainty can be assigned. Baptism has been called a holy sacrament and an ordinance of Jesus Christ. In some denominations, baptism is also called christening, but for others the word "christening" is reserved for the baptism of infants. Baptism has also given its name to the Baptist churches and denominations, they being called Baptism as a whole.

The usual form of baptism among the earliest Christians was for the candidate to be immersed, either totally (submerged completely under the water) or partially (standing or kneeling in water while water was poured on him or her). While John the Baptist's use of a deep river for his baptism suggests immersion, "The fact that he chose a permanent and deep river suggests that more than a token quantity of water was needed, and both the preposition 'in' (the Jordan) and the basic meaning of the verb 'baptize' probably indicate immersion. In v. 16, Matthew will speak of Jesus 'coming up out of the water'. The traditional depiction in Christian art of John the Baptist pouring water over Jesus' head may therefore be based on later Christian practice" pictorial and archaeological evidence of Christian baptism from the 3rd century onward indicates that a normal form was to have the candidate stand in water while water was poured over the upper body. Other common forms of baptism now in use include pouring water three times on the forehead, a method called affusion.

Martyrdom was identified early in Church history as "baptism by blood", enabling martyrs who had not been baptized by water to be saved. Later, the Catholic Church identified a baptism of desire, by which those preparing for baptism who die before actually receiving the sacrament are considered saved. As evidenced also in the common Christian practice of infant baptism, baptism was universally seen by Christians as in some sense necessary for salvation, until Huldrych Zwingli in the 16th century denied its necessity.

Today, some Christians, particularly Christian Scientists, Quakers, The Salvation Army, and Unitarians, do not see baptism as necessary, and do not practice the rite. Among those that do, differences can be found in the manner and mode of baptizing and in the understanding of the significance of the rite. Most Christians baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (following the Great Commission), but some baptize in Jesus' name only. Much more than half of all Christians baptize infants; many others hold that only believer's baptism is true baptism. Some insist on submersion or at least partial immersion of the person who is baptized, others consider that any form of washing by water, as long as the water flows on the head, is sufficient. The term "baptism" has also been used to refer to any ceremony, trial, or experience by which a person is initiated, purified, or given a name.