How to Get Baptized to Get Married

Baptism is an important tradition in the Christian religion.

Many couples opt for a traditional church wedding conducted by a minister. Some churches may require that the bride and groom be members of the church. A prerequisite to membership to most churches would entail being baptized, the Christian ritual of purifying one spiritually. If the prospective new members have not been baptized at a previous church, they would need to be baptized at the church they are joining. The steps to getting baptized will vary somewhat among different denominations.

Instructions

Baptism at a Protestant Church

1. Inform the pastor or a deacon of your desire to be baptized.

2. Make a profession of faith. Generally this will entail a public announcement of your desire to be baptized. Most often this will take place at the end of a worship servce.

3. Follow through with your baptism. A date will be set for the event. Usually it will take place at the beginning or end of a regular Sunday worship service. In a Protestant church you will be immersed with water from in a baptismal font, a receptacle for baptismal water in which the ceremony is conducted. If the church does not have one, they may use a nearby body of water. Upon completion you will then be given a certificate of baptism.

Baptism at a Catholic Church

1. Inquire about attaining membership to the Catholic Church. Let a deacon know that you are interested in joining the church. At this stage you will be known as an inquirer. You will be matched with a spiritual adviser who will guide you and assess your spiritual knowledge.

2. Begin the initiation process. To proceed with the process of joining the church, you will need to make a public statement at your local parish that you wish to join the Order of Catechumens. You will be enrolled in a program called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

3. Request baptism. When you and your advisers feel you are ready, you can make a formal and public request to be baptised which is followed by the Rite of Election. Your name will be recorded in a book and you will be referred to as one of "the elect."

4. Observe the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation, which is the actual baptism ceremony. It will take place around Easter time. Baptisms in the Catholic Church are conducted in the form of sprinkling water on your head by a priest.

Tips & Warnings

• The process of joining a Protestant church can be completed as quickly as a week.

• The process of joining a Catholic church can take as long as a year.

References

• Born-again-christain.info: Christian Baptism Basics
• Stcharleschurch.org: (RCIA): Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
• Ourcatholicfaith.org: Joining The Catholic Church
• Atcalvarybaptist.net: How to Join a Baptist Church