Concept in Definition ABC

Sacrament of Christian initiation that erases original sin and opens the way to God

The concept that concerns us in this review It is especially linked to religion, being associated preeminently with the Catholic religion since baptism is one of the most transcendental sacraments of this belief religious, corresponding to one of the three sacraments of Christian initiation together with the Eucharist and Confirmation.

The relevance of Baptism to the Catholicism is given because upon receiving the same, the faithful, officially becomes a Christian, is admitted into the church as such, is erased his original sin and he is immediately transformed into a child of God, with all the rights, commitments and obligations that this implies.

It is also the first sacrament that a Christian receives and therefore turns out to be one of the most valued by believers.

Any rite involving initiation to erase impurities

In any case, we must say that the word, although hyper linked to religion, is also used to refer to any rite that involves the initiation of an individual in an activity, organization, among others issues. As a consequence of its religious reference and what it implies in this is that it is used in these non-religious initiations with the mission of marking the purification that the person will receive after that act, cleaning with it any impurity that had affected the person before and being clean of everything from that moment.

As a synonym for debut

Other job also recurring of the word beyond religion is as a synonym for debut. When someone takes their first steps in an activity, they usually speak in terms of their debut. "He made his baptism on the tables."

But of course, as we have already indicated, the concept is widely used in the Christian religious field and It turns out to be the use almost par excellence and for example we will delve into the details of this important sacrament at continuation…

Water, the fiery mark of baptism

The word Baptism refers to the rite of initiation or purification, as appropriate, which is common to different religions, as well as in various Christian communions and denominations..

Christian Baptism consists of the app of water on a person, generally in the area of ​​the head, while invoking the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) or only Jesus, according to the Christian current in question, so that whoever receives it from that moment participates in the death and resurrection of Christ, converting him to at the same time as prophet, priest and King together with Christ, son of God and heir of his kingdom and also becoming part of the Church community as a living member of the Body mystical of Christ.

On the other hand, Roman Catholicism has always attributed another function behind the one mentioned above, that of antidote to original sin with which all Christians are already born and which will be "cured" once they access the sacrament of baptism.

Traditions linked to the rite of baptism

Traditionally, the rite of Baptism requires the presence of a godfather, although today it is common for the role of godfather to be share two individuals, one male and the other female, who will perform the roles of godfather and godmother, respectively, and who will commit themselves to education Christian of his godson, in addition to being a kind of second parents in case something happens to the parents of whom they sponsor.

To become a godfather / godmother you must be at least 16 years old, be a Catholic, have been confirmed and received the first communion and obviously should not weigh on who performs the role a punishment of excommunication or interdict with authority ecclesiastical.

Effects of Baptism

Among the effects of Baptism are the following: the forgiveness of all sins, the original that comes with the person from their birth and the rest of the personal sins that are committed in the development of his life, until the moment of receiving the sacrament in question, union with Christ, the gift of the Holy Spirit and converting the recipient into an adopted child of God and an active member of the church.

Celebrate Baptism

Regarding this sacrament, we cannot ignore that its relevance makes it a huge celebration for those who receive it and also for their closest relatives and that is why This is why after its realization there are usually important celebrations in which family members, godfather, godmother and friends of the baptized get together in a festive environment to eat and toast the event.

Topics in Baptism