Sep
The Difference Between a Christening and a Baptism
Many today do not know the difference between a Christening and a Baptism. Although some people use the words Christening & Baptism interchangeably, there are traditional differences.
Traditionally a Christening is when the parents of an infant or young child join together with family and the congregation to dedicate their baby specifically to Christ and the Christian faith. In the past this was when the naming ceremony was held and the child was “given” their proper name. It is considered that during the Christening the child was spiritually reborn in Christ. Parents promise to raise their child in the Christian faith and set a good example for their growing child. Godparents are also usually choosen to help the family lead the infant towards a strong faith as the baby grows up.
A Christening is usually the term used for infant baptisms in the Catholic, Lutheran and Episcopal Churches.
A Baptism is traditionally when an older child or Adult dedicates themselves to God. Baptisms are thought of as a more active ceremony by some churches, because it is not the parents that are making the decision, but the older child or an adult themselves that is taking the Christian faith.
A baptism is usually seen as a distinctively Baptist/Evangelical or Methodist tradition, and instead of just sprinkling a child, the act of baptism usually includes being fully submerged in a pool of water, as John the Baptist baptized in the River Jordan, including Jesus Himself, with the baptizer holding the person to be Baptized.
People of Christian faith use the term “baptism” for their ceremony of entry, but so do people of other faiths as well. In a baptism, a person is spiritually reborn as a new entrant in a particular religion.
Today, the lines have blurred these traditions. The words Christening and Baptism are used interchangeably to connote the dedication of infants to the Christian faith. If you are a guest at a dedication, follow the example of the parents and call the event by the name they have chosen to use. Either way, Christening or Baptism, the results are the same, dedication to a Christ.
The article is very well written to bring out the difference between a Christening and a Baptism. It is succeeded in bringing out the traditional differences among the two. It has helped me in clearing my understanding about the two and their differences.
This is indeed an informative post. It nicely explains what is the difference between a “Christening” and a “Baptism”. Like me, it will help many others to know what’s the difference between the two words “Christening” and “Baptism”; who, before reading this post, thought both the words - “Christening” and “Baptism” meant the same. Read this post, I definitely and highly recommend it.
I tend to think of the Baptist religion when I think of baptism. I wonder if any of the religions if this term causes any confusion since it can be ambiguous.
As for the Christening, I don’t have anything against traditions and finding values in religion to raise your child on. However, it just strikes me as odd to “dedicate” them before they have the choice. But que sera!
Thanks for this great article. Let me tell you that I too wasn’t aware of the difference between a Christening and a Baptism. However, now I’ve understood it. Thanks once more for helping me increase my knowledge.
I have actually been rather confused about the distinction between christening and baptism. Having many Christian friends but not being Christian myself, this has been a problem for me for some time. Thank you, Marilyn, for clearing it up for me!
Good article, but not quite accurate. All Christian denominations baptize, period. Some practice pedobaptism (infant and child), some practice only believer’s baptism. The denominations that practice pedobaptism (RCC, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Lutheran, etc.) call the act baptism, never christening. The “christening” is the short Christian naming ceremony in the RCC that follows the baptism. The terms should never be used interchangeably, since they are not the same act. It’s like saying that the main course and dessert are the same thing. In general, Protestant churches do not christen, so it’s always best to use the term “baptism”. Churches that baptize only those old enough to choose (like Baptists), often have a child dedication ceremony for infants, but this is NOT the same thing as christening.
Baptism is the preferred term for Catholic Infant Baptism, although Christening may be used interchangeably. More correctly, a Catholic Infant is Christened (made into a child of Christ) through the Sacrament of Baptism.
Thank you all for your input! Hopefully these comments help others clarify between Christenings & Baptisms.