Topical Bible: Christening

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Christening is a term commonly used to refer to the Christian sacrament of baptism, particularly in the context of infant baptism. It is a rite of initiation into the Christian faith, symbolizing purification, regeneration, and admission into the body of Christ. The practice of christening is rooted in the New Testament and has been a significant tradition in many Christian denominations.

Biblical Basis

The concept of baptism is well-documented in the New Testament. John the Baptist is a central figure in the practice, as he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. This event is recorded in the Gospels, such as in Matthew 3:16 : "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him."

Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of baptism in the Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19 : "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This directive underscores the significance of baptism as an essential element of Christian discipleship and evangelism.

Theological Significance

Christening, or baptism, is seen as a sacrament that conveys grace and signifies the believer's union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4 states, "Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life."

In the context of infant baptism, christening is viewed as a covenantal act, akin to the Old Testament practice of circumcision, which marked the inclusion of children in the covenant community. Colossians 2:11-12 draws a parallel between circumcision and baptism: "In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead."

Historical and Denominational Perspectives

Throughout church history, the practice of christening has varied among different Christian traditions. In many liturgical denominations, such as Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism, infant baptism is a normative practice. These traditions hold that baptism imparts sanctifying grace, cleanses original sin, and incorporates the child into the Church.

In contrast, many Protestant denominations, such as Baptists and Pentecostals, practice believer's baptism, which is administered to individuals who have made a personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ. These groups emphasize baptism as an outward expression of an inward transformation and a public declaration of faith.

Ceremonial Aspects

The christening ceremony typically involves the use of water, which is either poured over the head of the individual or the individual is immersed in water. The officiating minister pronounces the Trinitarian formula, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," as prescribed by Jesus in Matthew 28:19.

In many traditions, christening is accompanied by additional rites, such as the anointing with oil, the presentation of a baptismal candle, and the donning of a white garment, symbolizing purity and new life in Christ. The ceremony is often a communal event, with family, godparents, and the congregation pledging to support the baptized individual in their spiritual journey.

Conclusion

Christening remains a vital and meaningful practice within the Christian faith, signifying the believer's entry into the covenant community and their identification with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through this sacrament, Christians affirm their commitment to follow Christ and to nurture the faith of the baptized within the life of the Church.

Topical Bible Verses

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
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1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:
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Library

No House of any Pretension to be Called a Palace is in the Least ...
... history we find that fairies give their remarkable gifts to prince or princess,
or any child of sufficient importance in their eyes, always at the christening. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 28 no house of.htm

Sunday after Easter
... baptism were clad in white linen as indicative of their cleansing and new birth;
just as today children to be baptized are arrayed in a white christening-robe. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after easter.htm

False Teachings of the Apostasy.
... her search. As we look upon the "christening" of an infant we are reminded
more of heathendom than of the kingdom of grace. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iii false teachings of.htm

Life at Herrnhut.
... At Herrnhut, ran one comprehensive clause, there were to be no dances whatever,
no wedding breakfasts, no christening bumpers, no drinking parties, no funeral ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iv life at herrnhut.htm

The Holy Scriptures.
... been christened? She said that she believed it would. I then asked her
what good the christening had done her child. She answered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter ii the holy scriptures.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... Had royal or noble gossips, and a splendid entertainment attended his christening,
it might have been pointed to with pride; but so obscure was his birth, that ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Unfruitful Works of Darkness
... Largely, that bishops and preachers have always been ready to bless colours, and
to read a Christening service over a man-of-war"and, I suppose, to ask God ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/unfruitful works of darkness.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... The christening of infants, we find by church history, to have been a very ancient
practice; still we leave every one to give an account of himself to God. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

How Can I Obtain Faith?
... Faith cannot be washed into us by immersion, nor sprinkled upon us in christening;
it is not to be poured into us from a chalice, nor generated in us by a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/how can i obtain faith.htm

A Nickname Accepted
... These four are the Church's own christening of itself; its explanation and expansion,
its deepening and heightening, of the vague name given by the world. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a nickname accepted.htm