baptism

Definition: baptism
Christian rituals or sacraments that vary by denomination, but always involve the immersion of a person in water, or the application of water by pouring or sprinkling; baptisms betoken the initiation of the baptized into the church.

Baptism is the rite of admission to membership in Christian churches by immersing, sprinkling or anointing with water. It is regarded as a sacrament by Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians. Most denominations practice infant baptism; some only baptize adult believers.