Baptism is a Christian ritual symbolizing the washing away of sin. As you read in the narrative and historical sections, Jesus experienced this ritual when he was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Most Christian groups today use the ritual of baptism to symbolically wash away sins, and to identify the participant as a Christian, an important part of social organization.

Infant Baptism

Most denominations participate in infant baptism. During this type of baptism, an infant is brought to a church to participate in a ritual where water is poured over its head. The ritual uses water to “wash away” the original sin committed by Adam and Eve. The doctrinal point here is that every person is affected by the original sin of the first humans. By dying on the cross, Jesus redeemed that sin. But as Paul of Tarsus argued, one must be baptized in the Christian faith for this redemption to take effect. Baptizing the baby is a way to ensure its salvation.

Adult Baptism

Other Christian groups participate in adult baptism. These groups contend that baptism should be undertaken when people are able to make the decision themselves and that infants cannot make this decision consciously. In these instances, baptism includes both washing away original sin and being “born again” into Christianity. It is seen by those undergoing the ritual as a declaration of their faith in Jesus Christ. You can see a short video of adult baptism at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS-Vy4L5B3U.

Baptism is connected to all seven dimensions of religion. As a Christian ritual, it reenacts the narrative of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist and affirms the doctrinal position of original sin that must be purified. In the picture below, we immediately notice the material dimension: the vessel that holds the water being poured over the infant’s head; the white robes of the priest; the large basin of water. The water is also part of the experiential dimension as you can feel it on your skin, being perceived by the senses. Social organization is also indicated: the priest who is performing the ritual and the godparent who witnesses the ritual with the parents. The godparent agrees to take responsibility for the ethical and religious training of the child.