History of baptism

Answer 1

A mikvah is a purifying bath, but "baptism" in the Christian understanding I am not aware of.
There is no Hebrew definition of baptism as this is a ceremony of purely Christian origin.

Answer 2

It comes from the Greek word baptisma, meaning baptism which in turn was the word for the act of dipping or washing an article. It also was used by the Greeks for the process of dyeing clothing .

Answer 3

.

Catholic AnswerBaptism was prefigured in the Jews crossing the Red Sea, and more immediately in John the Baptist's baptism of repentance. Finally, Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ, instituted the sacrament of Baptism by which we are saved:

.

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which give access to the other sacraments. through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God' we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made shares in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."

　

1214

This sacrament if called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek baptizein means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature."

　

1216

"This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding. . . ." Having received in Baptism the Word, "the true light that enlightens every man," the person baptized has been "enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed he becomes "light" himself:

Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift . . . We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilt; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship.

1266

The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:

- enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues;

- giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;

- allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues.

Thus the whole organism of the Christian's supernatural life has its roots in Baptism.

Answer 4

1. A religious sacrament marked by the symbolic application of water to the head or immersion of the body into water and resulting in admission of the recipient into the community of Christians.
2. A ceremony, trial, or experience by which one is initiated, purified, or given a name.