BAPTISM

the rite of immersion or sprinkling with water which constitutes admi ion into the Christian Church. It has parallels in various ancient religions, and was observed in later Judaism in tha time of Christ. John the Baptist baptized those who came to him in the Jordan, and from the earliest times b. -was e ential n the Christian Church, for Jesus Himself was baptized by John. The command to baptize all nations is in Matthew 28:19. The authenticity of the Trinitarian formula has been questioned, as there is some reason for thinking that b. simply into the name of Christ was the primitive custom.