Baptism and Christian initiation
Orthodox baptism is entry into Christ's death and resurrection and the Church's life. Infants as well as adults are baptized; chrismation and Eucharist complete initiation. Baptismal faith is nurtured by the Church and lived through repentance.
Historical context
The New Testament joins baptism to repentance, faith, incorporation into Christ, and the gift of the Spirit. Later churches differ over infant baptism, its relation to regeneration, and the sequence of initiation rites.
Key points
- The baptismal rite joins renunciation, confession of faith, water, chrismation, and Communion.
- The Church does not treat an infant's baptism as a substitute for growing in faith.
Scripture
- Matthew 28:19-20 — The risen Christ commands baptism in the triune name and teaching his disciples.
- Acts 2:38-42 — Peter calls for repentance and baptism; the baptized enter the community's teaching, fellowship, and prayers.
- Romans 6:3-4 — Paul describes baptism into Christ's death and new life.
- Galatians 3:26-28 — Paul links baptism into Christ with belonging to him.
Primary sources
The Didache directs:
The Didache supplies an early witness to Trinitarian baptism and practical flexibility in the use of water.
Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have not living water, baptize into other water; and if you can not in cold, in warm. But if you have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit.
Passage context and translation
The instruction names Father, Son, and Spirit and prefers living water; it then provides alternatives, including pouring when other water is unavailable. It is an early manual, not a census of all baptismal customs.
Before the excerpt
And concerning baptism, baptize this way:
After the excerpt
But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whatever others can