Our Joel became Christian

Last Sunday was my brother-in-law’s son’s (Joel) baptism. You know what baptism is? If you know just check whether what I have written here is right or not. If you don’t know what baptism is then read ahead. � Baptism is a Christian spiritual ceremony. This sacramental act turns one as a full member of the Church-Christian. Most Christians, for example Roman Catholics (we are Roman Catholics), Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, and Methodists are baptized as babies. Baptism normally will happen anytime after 7 days of birth if there are no emergencies. In New Testament we see, John the Baptist baptized for repentance, baptizing Jesus and many others. In apostolic era, baptism was usually by immersing or pouring water. The candidate had to stand in water and water to be poured over the upper part of the body. To replicate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, early days Christians choose rivers for performing baptisms. According to Christian belief, all are successors of Adam & Eve and so born in sin. So during baptism time, we believe that our sins are washed off and we are born again in god. It is some what like a naming ceremony in Hindu culture. In Kerala, the first baby will get the name of his/her dad�s father�s/mother�s name and second baby will get his/her mom�s father�s/mother�s name. I am not 100% sure about this. In our family it�s like that. For catechism and church related purposes, we usually use this baptism name only. As our Joel is my brother-in-law’s first baby, he�has given the�name of my father-in-law. He’s now 5 months old and was crying by seeing all the preparations and crowd. After the ceremony he got many gifts and there was a nice lunch for the invitees.