Bautizados

Bautizados is a term used in Spanish-speaking Christian contexts to refer to individuals who have received the sacrament or rite of baptism. The word derives from the Latin baptizare, through the Greek baptizein, and is closely related to the practice of washing or cleansing with water as a symbol of faith.

In Christian theology, baptism signifies initiation into the Christian community and is often understood as a spiritual rebirth through the Holy Spirit. Its meaning and significance vary among denominations. In Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and many Lutheran and Protestant traditions, baptism is considered a sacrament or ordinance that incorporates the believer into the Church, cleanses from sin, and signifies a commitment to follow Christ. Infant baptism is common in Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and many Protestant churches; believer’s baptism is emphasized in Baptist, Pentecostal, and some evangelical congregations, where a personal confession of faith is typically required before immersion.

Modes of baptism also differ. Immersion in water is common in many evangelical and Orthodox settings, while pouring or affusion is frequently used in Catholic and some Protestant communities. In the Orthodox tradition, baptism is often performed by triple immersion in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, sometimes accompanied by chrismation (anointing with oil).

Historically, baptism traces to the ministry of John the Baptist and to the baptism of Jesus, and it is central to the Great Commission, where Christians are instructed to baptize new followers. The term bautizados emphasizes the ongoing identity of those who have been baptized within various Christian rites and communities.