Baptism

Most denominations baptise infants, and the Orthodox Church combines the service with Chrismation – their form of Confirmation.

Baptist and Pentecostal Churches practise Believers’ Baptism.

Of course it is never too late to be baptised so new Christians are baptised whatever their age.

Water is used to purify the person and to symbolise the washing away of original sin.

People are baptised in the name of the Trinity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit enters the person’s life at Baptism and they become a full member of the Christian community.

Infant Baptism 

Reasons for Infant Baptism:

- To cleanse the child of original sin from as early as possible.

- To show they are members of God’s family from the start.

- To allow the child to choose to be confirmed when older.

Believers' Baptism 

Reasons for Believers’ Baptism:

- To make sure those who are baptised fully understand what they are doing.

- Jesus was baptised as an adult.