What Is The Difference Between A Christening and Baptism?

Are there differences between christening a child or adult and baptizing and christening a child or adult?

Christening

The root word of christening is Christ. A person can be christened or dedicated to the Lord, Jesus Christ and this is done with water either by full submersion baptism or by sprinkling. It is often a public ceremony where family and close friends attend. There are christenings of ships, buildings, by dedicating something or naming a new child but the point is, christening is a public ceremony that involved dedication and usually water is used in the process but strictly speaking, a christening can involve a baptism, adult or infant, by sprinkling or submersion, but it can also be a ceremonial ship launching and even an anointing. The main thing is the “Christ” is in the christening.

Baptizing

Jesus told the disciples that part of the Great Commission was to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). Baptism is a public profession and an outward symbol of an inward expression of faith or trust in Christ. It represents the death of the old self and the resurrection of the “new creation in Christ” (2nd Cor 5:17). The disciples must have known what Jesus meant by baptism, that it meant being placed under the water because they saw John the Baptist baptizing many and some Jesus’ disciples were baptized by John. Even Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, however Jesus only did it to fulfill the law and left us an example to follow with a believer’s baptism.

Differences

The differences between being christened and being baptized is that being christened only means you’ve been publically dedicated to the Lord or there was a child who was dedicated to the Lord (as in the “Christ” in christening). It might even be at a public or private ceremony where the child is named, however, christening could also mean an adult or infant baptism. As for baptism, the person publically declares that they are a child of God and now dedicated to God. After a person has repented and trusted in Christ, they should get baptized. Baptism is a celebration of a new member into the kingdom of heaven. Christening can sometimes be the celebration of a new child entering into the earthly kingdom.

Which is most Important?

The differences between christening and baptism are insignificant as compared to what must happen before a christening or baptism. The person who has humbled themselves and repented of their sins and then placed their trust in the Savior is then baptized into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19) and they receive eternal life. It doesn’t matter what you call the ceremony but it does matter how you come to that point. Baptism just gets you wet. Jesus gets you saved. It’s not the plan of salvation; it’s the Man of salvation.

Conclusion

If you have not yet chosen to repent and turn away from your sins and the put your trust in Christ, you are cut off from a relationship God at the present time (Isaiah 59:2). The only way to be reconciled back to God is to go through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). There is no other possible way to eternal life and to be in the presence of God. This is the most important decision, not just in your life, but for all eternity.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.