Practiced by all Churches, baptism is a fundamental rite marking the entry into Christian life. While the majority are still given to young children, Catholics celebrate adult baptisms annually on Easter. According to figures from the Catholic Church in France, 10,300 adults were expected to be baptized during Easter 2025, a rise of 45%. Here are seven questions to better understand the origins and meaning of this act.

Baptism is at least as old as Christianity. In the Acts of the Apostles, a New Testament book mentioning the formation of the first Christian communities, multiple baptisms are already noted. The first believers felt they were following a command by Jesus himself, as reported in the Gospels. Just before his ascension, he indeed gave this mission to the disciples: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Mattew 28:19).

Moreover, Jesus himself received baptism. The four Gospels mention this episode, highlighting its importance to early believers. In Mark, we read: "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'" (Mark 1:9-11).

You have 83.11% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.