Taufe

Taufe (baptism) is a Christian sacrament of initiation and cleansing. It marks admission to the church and the beginning of the Christian life, with water representing purification from sin and new birth in the Holy Spirit.

Baptism traces to John the Baptist’s ritual and to Jesus’ own baptism, and it became central in the early church. Practices differ across denominations: various modes may be used, including immersion, pouring (affusion), or sprinkling. Initiation ages also vary; some churches practice infant baptism, while others require a conscious profession of faith before baptism.

In Catholic and Orthodox theology, baptism is a sacrament that grants grace, removes original sin, and incorporates the believer into the church. In many Protestant traditions, baptism is a public declaration of faith and obedience; the understanding of its relation to grace and regeneration varies, with some seeing it primarily as a symbol and others as a means of grace. For some groups, baptism is a one-time act; for others it marks a deeper spiritual decision.

Modern practice is typically conducted by ordained ministers or designated laypersons. Many traditions include sponsors or godparents, especially for infant baptism. Infant baptism is common in Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran churches; many Baptist and Anabaptist communities require a profession of faith by the person being baptized.

In civil life, baptism is often recorded in church registers and may intersect with naming rites or civil registration, though it does not replace legal status.