Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

rebaptism

 - 2 dictionary results

bap⋅tism

  [bap-tiz-uhm]
Use rebaptism in a Sentence
–noun
1. Ecclesiastical. a ceremonial immersion in water, or application of water, as an initiatory rite or sacrament of the Christian church.
2. any similar ceremony or action of initiation, dedication, etc.
3. a trying or purifying experience or initiation.
4. Christian Science. purification of thought and character.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME < LL baptisma < Gk bapt(ízein) to baptize + -isma -ism; r. ME bapteme < OF < LL, as above

Related forms:
bap⋅tis⋅mal  [bap-tiz-muhl] , adjective
bap⋅tis⋅mal⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
2. induction, admittance, introduction.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To rebaptism
Cultural Dictionary

baptism

The ceremony of initiation into Christianity; in most Christian churches, it is considered a sacrament. Persons baptized either have water poured on them or are immersed in water; some groups of Christians insist on immersion. The effect of baptism, in Christian belief, is to cleanse persons of their sins, so that they are born into a new life with Jesus. Most churches baptize members when they are infants, but some groups, like the Baptists, insist on adult baptism. Jesus himself was baptized. (See John the Baptist.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see rebaptism on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way