Interested in learning more about the Bible?
We send our amazing followers of Jesus Christ, just like you, daily text messages from the Holy Bible.
Will you join them?
Is A Baptism And A Christening The Same Thing?
Christenings and baptisms, though often used interchangeably, are two separate religious ceremonies for different faiths. While both involve welcoming an individual into a religious community, the main goal of each ceremony differs.
A baptism is a religious ceremony primarily practiced within the Christian faith. It is a ritual that marks the beginning of a person’s spiritual journey and symbolizes a person’s decision to publicly accept Christianity and to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. During the ceremony, the infant or adult is submerged in water and the officiant says a prayer and blesses the individual in the name of the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).
A christening, on the other hand, is a ceremony that is mainly associated with the Anglican Church, as well as some other Protestant denominations. It is considered a sacrament and is meant to welcome a person into the Christian faith. During the ceremony, the baby is baptized in front of their family and church leaders. Additionally, they are given a Christian name and a blessing.
The ceremonies are similar in some ways, but distinctly different in others. For example, christenings typically involve a single ceremony for the christening, whereas baptisms usually involve two ceremonies: one for the baptism and another for a confirmation once the individual is older. Furthermore, a baptism is a private ceremony, whereas a christening is usually held in front of family and other church members.
Regardless of the differences in the ceremonies, both rituals signify the same thing: a person’s commitment to God’s will and the church’s teachings. Both are an invitation to family and friends to help the individual become part of a faith-filled community and to walk in the path of Christ. It is an important milestone in an individual’s life and a time for celebration for the entire family.
Are you inspired by Bible verses? We’ll send you text messages, every day, from the Bible: Sign up for a daily text message, from the Holy Bible
Interested in Bible verses? Learn about similar topics here, like:
Is a christening and baptism the same thing, Is baptism and christening the same thing
