What is the purpose of a baby christening?
The purpose of a baby christening, or infant baptism, is to demonstrate to family and friends who attend that the parents intend to raise him or her in the Christian faith. It also has a social purpose as a formal naming ceremony for the baby. There may also be a meal or social gathering for friends and family afterwards.HistoryInfant baptism has been part of Catholicism since the year 416. Orthodox Christians and many Protestant denominations also practice infant baptism.FunctionThe Bible requires that Christians be baptized. For many Protestants who wait until adulthood, it is an outward symbol of an inward faith. For infants who have not yet understood its significance, the main importance is the intention of their parents to introduce them to Christianity when they are old enough to understand it.BenefitsFor the child, if he decides to become a Christian as an adult, the sacrament of baptism has already been performed.
