Baptism & Christening 101

Baptism was performed by totally immersing the convert, in water — typically in a stream, river or lake. Baptism of a new Christian was a major watershed in their life. Many individuals are described in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) who heard the Gospel, were immediately converted and quickly baptized.

There are dozens of passages in the Christian Scriptures that mention baptism. Although some verses appear conflict with others, a general picture emerges:

-          Infants and children were not baptized. Baptisms were performed on youths or adults — individuals who had reached the age of accountability — who had already converted to Christianity, and accepted Jesus as Lord.

-          Baptisms were generally done in the name of Jesus only, not in the names of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

-          The Holy Spirit was believed to enter and dwell within each person after baptism, (assuming that He was not already in place before the ritual).

-          Baptism was regenerative. That is, the person’s sins were wiped clean by the ritual itself.

-          In biblical passages that describe baptism, the author often implied that the ritual was necessary in order for a person to be saved and enter Heaven after death. But elsewhere in the Christian Scriptures, other criteria for salvation are implied: good works, belief in Jesus as the Son of God, belief in Jesus’ Resurrection, etc.

Although Jesus’ disciples frequently baptized converts, it is not clear whether Jesus himself performed baptisms. The Bible is ambiguous on this point.

original source:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_bapt.htm