ENGLISH
REFERENCE

baptist

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbæptəst// UK //bˈæptɪst// bap·tist

n. a member of a Christian group that believes people should only be baptized when they are old enough to choose their faith. They usually perform baptism by putting the whole person under water.

n. a member of a Protestant Christian denomination that maintains that baptism should only be administered to believers. The rite is typically performed by full immersion rather than by sprinkling water.


SIMPLE

He is a Baptist and attends church every Sunday.

CONTEXTUAL

The local Baptist congregation organized a community food drive to help families during the winter months.

COMPLEX

While sharing many theological roots with other Protestant groups, the Baptist tradition is distinguished by its emphasis on the autonomy of the local church and the necessity of conscious individual faith.

Usage

Often capitalized as it refers to a specific religious group.

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