Conversion To Christianity - Conversion Through Baptism and Confirmation/chrismation

Conversion Through Baptism and Confirmation/chrismation

The Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Church, and Anglicanism all believe that baptism is the rite through which a person enters the Church and becomes Christian. Therefore, a non-Christian converting to any of these churches would be received into the Church through baptism, followed by confirmation (Latin Rite Catholic or Anglican) or chrismation (Orthodox or Eastern Catholic) as well as the convert's First Holy Communion. This would be preceded by a catechumenate, a period where the prospective convert learns about the Christian faith. The length of the catechumenate varies, although one year is generally the minimum (as this allows the prospective convert to experience all of the Church's festivals).

Procedures for receiving a person baptized in another Christian communion vary. Catholics and Anglicans will generally accept the original baptism as valid (if done in the name of the Trinity) and receive the person through confirmation and First Communion. Practices among the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox vary, with some churches who rebaptize converts, considering their former baptism to be invalid, and other churches accepting the original baptism and receiving through chrismation and First Communion.