Baptisia (baptizia)

[NL., dipping (dyeing? cf. βαπτός, dyed), 445 [ baptism (bap'ti ally and earlier baptim, baptym, baptem ), baptistic seal, or the seal of baptism. See baptism. - Baptismal name, the personal or Christian name given at baptism. -Baptismal regeneration, the doctrine of the remi ion of original and actual sin, and the new birth into the life of sanctifying grace, in and through the sacrament of baptism. Baptismal shell, a real shell polished, or a small metal ve el in the shape of a scallop-shell, used to take water from the font and pour it upon the head of pro me or ises made at baptism by the person baptized, or sponsors in his name. baptismally (bap-tiz'mal-i), adv . In or through baptism; by means of of baptism. baptize.] baptize.] 1. A sacrament or ordinance of the Christian church, instituted by Christ as an initiatory rite, consisting in the immersion of the person in water, or in the application of water to the person by affusion or by sprinkling, by an authorized administrator, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." The proper signification of the rite, the proper subjects of it, and the proper methods of administering it, are matters of dispute in the Christian church. In Protestant churches it is generally regarded as a symbol of purification, a rite of initiation into the visible church of Christ, and a sign ratifying God's covenant with his people. In the Roman Catholic Church baptism is the sacrament of initiation into the church of Christ, consisting e entially in the application of water to the person baptized by one having the intention of conferring the sacrament, and who pronounces at the same time the words, "N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." The Greek formula, "The servant of God is baptized in the name," etc., is also recognized as valid. In all branches of the church a layman may, in case of nece ity, administer baptism. In the Roman Catholic, Greek, and most Protestant churches, infant children are admitted to baptism; but among the various Baptist denominations only those are admitted who give credible evidence of po e ing a Christian experience. Among them, also, it is generally performed by immersion, which they regard as the Scriptural mode. This is also the common mode in the Eastern churches; in the Western churches sprinkling or pouring is commonly substituted. The Friends reject all baptism with water, regarding Christian baptism as spiritual only. Baptism is not only a sign of profe ion, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened, but it is also a sign of Regeneration or New-Birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of the forgivene of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed; Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. Articles of Religion of Ch. of Eng. and Prot. Epis. Ch. We believe in baptism to be administered to believers and their children, as the sign of cleansing from sin, of union to Christ, and of the impartation of the Holy Spirit. Congregational Creed , 1883. 2. Any ceremonial ablution intended as a sign of purification, dedication, etc.: as, the baptism administered by John the Baptist, or that administered to proselytes by the ancient Jews; the baptism or christening of bells, ships, and other objects in the Roman Catholic Church, etc. The publicans justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Luke vii. 29. Baptism for the dead, the baptism of a living person instead of and for the sake of one who has died unbaptized. The performance of such a ceremony, although disapproved by the church, is on record in a number of individual cases among the early Christians, and is also said to have been a custom of several ancient sects, the Ebionites, Mar cio nites, and others. In modern times it has been revived by the Mormons. This practice has been supposed by many to be alluded to in 1 Cor. xv. 29, but other explanations of the pa age have been given. - Baptism of blood, martyrdom for the sake of Christ, regarded as sup plying the absence of the sacrament of baptism.-Baptism of desire, the virtue or grace of baptism received by a person who dies earnestly desiring that sacrament, but unable to obtain it. - Baptism of fire. (a) The gift or gifts of the Holy Spirit; the grace of baptism considered separately from the outer form. (b) Martyrdom. Clinic or clinical baptism, baptism on a sick-bed. In the early church this was allowed only in case of impending death, and was sometimes refused even then, except to persons already candidates. Such baptism was recognized as valid; but a person so baptized was not ordinarily eligible to orders, perhaps because it was judged that fear had induced the reception of the sacrament. - Conditional baptism (also called hypothetical baptism ), in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, baptism administered to persons in respect to whom it is doubtful whether they have been baptized or not, or whose known baptism is of doubtful validity. The condition is then regularly inserted in the formula: "If thou art not baptized," etc. - Private baptism, baptism conferred in the home or elsewhere, without the ceremonies prescribed for the rite of solemn baptism in the church. - Seal of baptism. (a) The rite of unction in baptism. (b) Same as baptismal character (which see, under baptismal ). baptismal (bap-tiz'mal), a. [ those c Him the Baptist soon descried. Milton, P. R., i. 25. 2. [ cap .] A member or an adherent of one of those Christian denominations which maintain that baptism can be administered only upon a personal profe ion of Christian faith. Generally, though not always, Baptists are immersionists. This doctrine has been held from a very early age of the Christian church; but the Baptists as a distinct denomination date from the epoch of the Reformation, and were originally called Anabaptists by their opponents. In the United States the Baptists owe their origin to Roger Williams, who was originally a minister of the Church of England. The principal Baptist denominations are the Baptists, sometimes called Calvin ist Baptists, from their Calvin is tic theology; Freewill Baptists, who are Arm in i an in theology and open comm unionists in practice; German Baptists, popularly called Dunkers; General Baptists, a party of English Baptists who are Arm in i an in theology and hold to a general atonement (opposed to Particular Baptists, who are Calvin is tic); Old - School Baptists, sometimes called Anti - Mi ion or Hard - Shell Baptists, from their extreme Calvin ism, which leads them to oppose all active measures for the conversion of the world (a sect numbering 40,000); Seventh - Day Baptists, who keep the seventh day, instead of the first, as the sabbath; Six Principle Baptists, so called from the six principles which constitute their creed (they practise "laying on of hands," and refuse communion to all who do not); Disciples of Christ, also called Christians or Campbell i tes, an American denomination growing out of the labors of Alexander Campbell, and separately organized in 1827; Winebren nerians, or Church of God (organized in 1830 by John Winebrenner), who maintain the washing of feet as an ordinance of perpetual obligation; and Christians, or the Christian Connection, an American sect of Unitarian Baptists founded about 1800. The Baptists are congregational in polity, and generally Calvin is tic or semi-Calvin is tic in theology. Those of Great Britain do not generally regard baptism by immersion as a prerequisite to communion, and therefore commune with other churches; but the opposite position is, with few exceptions, adopted by the Baptists of the United States. The former are popularly called open comm unionists, the latter close - comm unionists. baptistery, baptistry (bap'tis-tėr-i, -tri), n.; pl. baptisteries, baptistries (-iz, -triz). [ IMG:content-1642.png:[graphic] IMG:content-1643.png:[graphic] Baptistery of the Duomo, Pisa, Italy. tize.] A building or a portion of a building in which is administered the rite of baptism. In the early Christian church the baptistery was distinct from the church-building, and was situated near its west end; it was generally circular or octagonal in form, and do me roofed. About the end of the sixth century the baptistery began to be absorbed in the church, within which the font was placed, not far from the western door. The detached baptistery was, however, often preserved, especially in Italy; and many such baptisteries still remain in use, as that of St. John Later an in Rome, and those of the cathedrals of Pisa, Florence, etc. As a separate building the baptistery was often of considerable size and great architectural beauty; that of Florence is 108 feet in external diameter. In the West, baptisteries were in early times commonly dedicated to St. John the Baptist. See font1 and baptismal. baptistic, baptist i cal (bap-tis'tik, -ti-kal), a. [Gr. βαπτιστικός, tist.] Pertaining to baptism, or (with a capital) to the doctrine of the Baptists. This baptist i cal profe ion, which he ignorantly laugheth at, is attested by fathers, by councils, by liturgies. Abp . Bramhall , Schism Guarded, p. 205. Baptistically (bap-tis'ti-kal-i), adv. According to Baptist doctrine; in the manner of the Baptists. [