How is it that a baptism of an adult is often necessary, because in Orthodoxy children are baptized immediately after birth, in infancy? To do this, remember the history of the country, because during the Soviet era there was an active attack on the church, and many who could not be baptized or baptized their children. Now, when this has become possible, most people want to catch up. Another group of people who are baptized as adults is Protestants. In their understanding, the baptism of a baby is the choice of his parents, and not the child himself. Therefore, an adult who has made this choice consciously should be baptized.
What precedes baptism
According to church ministers, the baptism of an adult should not be a mere formality for him. A person must come to this consciously, understand that already as a true Christian he will need to live by the laws of faith, fulfill all the necessary instructions, dogmas, etc. First of all, a person needs to talk with a priest, explain his situation and desire. Further, the priest can offer him to conduct public talks, which are designed specifically for those who want to be baptized. You also need to read spiritual literature, although much depends on the level of your readiness for baptism.
But all these are only auxiliary factors, the most important thing is the person’s true desire, which is not a tribute to fashion or something like that.
Rite of baptism of an adult
Let us dwell on this important point. Baptism of an adult is different from ordinary. By virtue of his age, a person can pronounce the words necessary for baptism, he understands and realizes his actions, respectively, you can do without the godparents who do everything instead of babies. If an adult will be baptized, what is needed for this? You should take a pectoral cross with you (no matter how expensive), a baptism shirt, a large white sheet and slippers. The priest conducts the necessary ceremony, the person’s head is washed three times or immersed in the font. During the ceremony, a person holds a lighted candle, and then a cross is drawn with oil on his forehead.
Protestant baptism
Already for the reasons indicated at the beginning of the article, it is clear why the Protestants adopted the baptism of an adult. Moreover, the ceremony itself can be carried out in different ways. Some should plunge into the water completely in a special pool or stream. Some are sure that this should be an exclusively open pond. For others, it is enough, as in Orthodoxy, to simply sprinkle water on the head . Baptism in a pond can also take place in different ways: some clergy dip a person once, others three. The dipping method may also vary: face up or face down. According to some Protestants, all these differences are not very significant, while others are firmly convinced that only their opinion is correct. Protestant baptized, as well as Orthodox, must dress in white robes.