FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHRISTENINGS and BAPTISMS
A 'Christening,' is specifically the baptism and naming of a baby. A baby's christening is usually thought of as a naming ceremony (the bestowal of a Christian name) and that accompanies the act of baptism.
'Baptism' is the more general theological term that symbolizes membership in the Christian community. Either infants or adults may be baptized, depending on the person or the denomination. Adults are not Christened. Baptism is one of two sacraments in the Church; the other is communion. It represents a deliberate act of identification with the person of Jesus Christ and his Church.
How are these commitments expressed in the baptism ceremony?
With infant baptism, the parents are asked to reaffirm their faith in Jesus and to pledge that they will bring their child up in the life of the Church in the hope that in due course he/she will make a personal response of faith. At the same time, the congregation is asked, on behalf of the universal Church, to do what it can to support the parents in the fulfillment of their vows.
When a child is baptized they are not baptized into any particular denomination, they are baptized into the Christian Church. Denominational affiliation is tied not the act of baptism but rather to the church that your child will choose to associate with when they are grown.
The History of Baptism
Jesus himself was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River at the beginning of his public ministry. Thus, in continuing to baptize as a sign of entry to membership of the church. As Christians, we should follow both our Lord's example and command.
At first, only adults were baptized and then only after three years of their becoming believers. The faithful would be baptized by a sequence of three complete immersions at dawn on Easter day. They wore a white garment as a symbol of the new life of holiness on which they were embarking. They would take on new 'Christian names'. Later that day, they would celebrate the Eucharist of Easter for the first time.
Soon it became the tradition of the early church to baptize infants of Christian parents. For practical reasons, total immersion gave way to pouring.
Jesus said: "No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit."
Of course, different denominations have different views on this topic. I baptize with water sprinkled on the child and mark their forehead with the sign of the Cross.
If you would like to check on my availability for your child's Christening, please call me at 518 882-6773 or send an email to RevLyon@aol.com