There has been a great deal of confusion about the difference between baptism and christening, and it extends into the religious ritual of confirmation. Many people believe that a baby can be christened, and this means it has also been baptized. This is true in most Christian religions, but some of them use the christening ceremony only for babies and children. Baptism is used in all Christian denominations, but the time it is applied is the important factor for being a church member.

Baptism began with Jesus Christ, and it was largely ritualized by the Roman Catholic Church. This ceremony has remained virtually unchanged for centuries, and it is used to welcome new children as members of the church. They must later recommit themselves in the ritual of confirmation, and this is where Protestant sects diverge from the original church. They use christenings for babies, and baptism is done at the time they are old enough to make their own choice to be Christians.