An interfaith minister of the Universal Life Church becomes ordained to perform the ceremonies and rituals of all faiths; therefore, it is important to recognize the significance and history of baptism. Baptism is a fundamental part of almost every denomination of Christianity. There are numerous methods of performing baptism, and each aspect and variation of the ritual has its own special significance. After one becomes ordained as a Universal Life Church interfaith minister, it is important to understand and be ready to perform any of the several methods of baptism.
Baptism is the symbolic act of receiving God’s grace and of acceptance by the baptized person into the community of believers. The ritual of baptism seems to refer back to older Jewish traditions regarding ritual purification. The Roman Catholic Church compares when one performs a baptism to opening a door, symbolizing the passage from the previous fallen and sinful state of humanity into a state of connection with God. The Christian act of baptism is directly derived from the baptism of Christ himself. Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River by his cousin, John the Baptist, marked the beginning of his ministry. Although no one is sure of the exact date of Jesus’ baptism, most denominations celebrate the Baptism of Christ on the Sunday after Epiphany, which takes place on the Sunday closest to January 6. Today, the water used for baptism may be sprinkled or poured on the head, or the entire body may be immersed. Prior to the Middle Ages, however, most baptisms were by immersion.
Some denominations practice infant baptism. Because of the dangers involved with fully immersing a young child, most infant and child baptisms involve sprinkling or pouring water on the head. In the Roman Catholic Church, clergy will perform a baptism as soon as possible after birth, for it is believed that dying without receiving the sacrament of baptism prevents the soul from reaching salvation. Some Protestant and Eastern Orthodox faiths also practice infant baptism, but for different reasons. United Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Episcopalians and many Eastern Orthodox denominations practice infant baptism to claim the child as a full member of the family of believers from an early age, or out of a belief that baptism transmits God’s grace to the child.
Adult baptism is practiced by nearly every Christian denomination, even those that also perform infant baptism. Baptism of adults is a main tenet of Baptist and Pentecostal denominations, as well as the followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Adult baptism is also called “believer’s baptism” because the act is conferred upon people who are old enough to have established a personal belief in God. Many adult baptisms involve the full immersion of the body. In some cases, a river or lake is used to further the connection with Christ’s baptism.
Among Christian denominations, only Quakers do not include a baptism ritual in their system of beliefs. For Quakers, seeking a personal relationship with God is sufficient to receive His grace.