What is the Difference Between Baptism and Christening?

The main difference between baptism and christening lies in the specific aspects of each ceremony. Here are the key differences:

Baptism: This is a religious sacrament or ritual that initiates someone into Christianity. It involves the use of water to symbolize the washing away of one's sins and the rebirth as a Christian. Baptisms can be performed on people of any age and are not limited to infants.
Christening: This is a ceremony in which a child is given their Christian name in the presence of the family, friends, and church. It is often followed by baptizing the child, but the two events are distinct.

While many Christians use the terms "baptism" and "christening" interchangeably, they have slightly different meanings. Some key points to remember include:

Baptism is a commitment to God in Christian churches, while christening is considered a religious rite by churches that are Catholic, Lutheran, and Episcopal.
Baptism was practiced and referred to even before Christianity, while christening was first referred to in the 14th century.
Some churches consider baptism as surrendering to God, while others believe christening is an act of naming a child and initiating them into the Christian faith.
Baptism is a Greek word, while Christening is an English word.

In summary, the main difference between baptism and christening is that baptism is a religious ceremony that initiates someone into Christianity, while christening is a naming ceremony that often follows baptism.