What is Baptism?

5 min

Awaiting theological review

What you will understand today

What Baptism does, why it comes first, and why the Church baptises babies.

In simple words

Baptism is the doorway into the Christian life. Jesus sent his apostles to make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Water is poured on the head (or the person is immersed) while those words are said. Catholics believe Baptism washes away original sin and every sin, makes us children of God and members of the Church, and gives the Holy Spirit. It marks a person as belonging to Christ for ever, so it is never repeated.

Babies are baptised because Baptism is a gift, not a reward: no one earns it, at any age. Parents and godparents promise to help the child grow into the faith. An adult who asks for Baptism prepares for it, often over months, and receives Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist together.

Key Bible passage

The verse just before promises clean water poured out; Christians have long read this as a promise of Baptism.

²⁶And I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and will give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

What Baptism does

Washes
All sin forgiven
New birth
A child of God
Belonging
A member of the Church
A seal
Christ's for ever, never repeated

Go deeper

Before Baptism there is a long history of water in the Bible: the Spirit over the waters at creation, the flood, the crossing of the Red Sea, the Jordan. The Church reads them as figures of Baptism, in which God frees and creates anew.

The rite is rich in signs: the Sign of the Cross traced on the forehead, the Word of God, the anointing, the water, a white garment for new life in Christ, and a candle lit from the Easter candle — Christ the light of the world.

Through Baptism a person becomes a member of the Church and shares in Christ's mission as priest, prophet and king. That is why the baptised are called to pray, to witness and to serve, wherever they are.

Questions people ask

What happens to babies who die without Baptism?

The Church entrusts them to the mercy of God, who wants all to be saved. Jesus' words, Let the little children come unto me, allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for them.

Can an adult be baptised?

Yes. Adults prepare through a path called the catechumenate, often over several months, and are usually baptised at the Easter Vigil, receiving Confirmation and the Eucharist at the same time.

What is a godparent for?

Godparents help parents pass on the faith and support the baptised person throughout life. Under canon law, a godparent must be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the Eucharist, who lives the faith, and who is, as a rule, at least sixteen; the diocesan bishop may set another age (canon 874).

Did you know?

Early Christian source

The Didache, from around the year 100, says to baptise in running water, and if there is none, to pour water three times on the head in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Didache 7(awaiting verification)

A common misconception

Only a priest can baptise.

In fact

Bishops, priests and deacons are the ordinary ministers, but in an emergency anyone can baptise — even someone not baptised — by pouring water and saying the words, with the intention of doing what the Church does.

A question to take with you

Do you know the date of your Baptism, or who your godparents are? If you are not baptised, what draws you to ask about it?

One small thing for today

If you were baptised, find out the date and mark it. If not, write down one question about Baptism to ask a priest or a Christian friend.