baptism
Church initiation rite
Baptism is a Christian ritual of immersion in or application of water, symbolizing purification, spiritual rebirth, and admission into the faith.
Most Christian denominations practice baptism, though they differ on method and timing—some baptize infants, others only believers old enough to profess faith.
Figuratively, a baptism by fire is a difficult first experience that serves as an initiation: His first day managing the trading floor was a baptism by fire.
Ceremony naming a child
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
- communionProfound shared closeness
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
- anointingCeremonial oil application
liturgy · rite · ceremony · altar · font · godparent · godmother · godfather
Ceremony naming a child
- brisJewish circumcision ceremony
- naming ceremonyRitual bestowing official name
- godparentBaptismal ceremony guardian
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
Removing dirt or toxins
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- washingCleaning with liquid
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
- lustrationCleansing rite or vetting
ablution · purging · atonement · redemption · renewal · spiritual cleansing · ritual washing · mikveh
Act of changing states
- beliefTrust held as true
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
confession · creed · doctrine · discipleship · born again · evangelism · profession · testimony
Entry or confession
- inductionFormal admission process
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- entrancePoint of access
- beginningInitial stage of something
welcome · acceptance · membership · novitiate · catechumen · neophyte · convert · newcomer
Making current again
- transformationThorough change in form
- new beginningChance to start again
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- resurrectionRevival from death
awakening · new life · fresh start · second chance · redemption · metamorphosis · emergence
Judicial examination of claims
- ordealDifficult, painful experience
- testEvaluative examination
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
first experience · challenge · crucible · proving ground · hazing · tribulation · adversity
christening
Ceremony naming a child
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
- communionProfound shared closeness
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
anointing · liturgy · rite · ceremony · altar · font · godparent · godmother · godfather · clergy
christening
Ceremony naming a child
- brisJewish circumcision ceremony
- naming ceremonyRitual bestowing official name
- godparentBaptismal ceremony guardian
cleansing
Removing dirt or toxins
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- washingCleaning with liquid
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
lustration · ablution · purging · atonement · redemption · renewal · spiritual cleansing · ritual washing · mikveh · purifying
conversion
Act of changing states
repentance · confession · creed · doctrine · discipleship · born again · evangelism · profession · testimony · covenant
admission
Entry or confession
- inductionFormal admission process
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- entrancePoint of access
beginning · welcome · acceptance · membership · novitiate · catechumen · neophyte · convert · newcomer · first experience
renewal
Making current again
- transformationThorough change in form
- new beginningChance to start again
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
resurrection · awakening · new life · fresh start · second chance · redemption · metamorphosis · emergence
trial
Judicial examination of claims
- ordealDifficult, painful experience
- testEvaluative examination
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
initiation · first experience · challenge · crucible · proving ground · hazing · tribulation · adversity
- religionChristianity, Islam, beliefs, Judaism, Hinduism
- customscustoms, customs clearance, wedding custom, customs declaration, burial custom
- ritualsritual, rite, ceremony, sacrament, blessing
- church historychurch history, apostles, Protestant Reformation, Christian history, Reformation
- MormonismBook of Mormon, Joseph Smith, Latter-day Saints, priesthood, Latter-day Saint
- Baby Ritualsnaming ceremony, baby blessing, baby dedication, welcome ceremony, brit milah
baptismexcommunication
Formal barring from sacraments
apostasy · defection · renunciation · abjuration · expulsion
baptismdamnation
Eternal punishment decree
condemnation · desecration · perdition · defilement · sacrilege
baptismretirement
Leaving the workforce permanently
withdrawal · conclusion · graduation · departure · exit
- baptism by fireDifficult first test
- John the BaptistProphet who baptized the Messiah
- baptism of fireDifficult first exposure
- Baptist churchProtestant denomination practicing believer's immersion
- Southern BaptistAmerican Protestant denomination
- baptismal fontVessel for sacramental water
baptize, baptized, baptismal, baptist, baptizes, baptizing, baptisms, baptistry, baptismal font