Baptism

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Baptism is a religious ritual in many religions across the world. It is often used as an initiation into a religious community.

[edit] Christianity

The origin of baptism lies in John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.

13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

-Matthew 3:13-16, New International Version

After the ascension of Jesus, he also commanded his disciples to preach the gospel and baptize others:

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

-Matthew 28:16-20, New International Version

There is still some debate as to how a baptism should be performed. Catholics practice a kind of ritual sprinkling, or "aspersion," as the ritual is symbolic in nature. Many Protestants argue that only by a complete dunking, or immersion, is a baptism considered valid. The conflict between Protestants and Christianity is older and more pervasive than just the issue of baptism, so it will not be examined further here.