Baptists are followers of the Baptist branch of the Protestant Christianity. The word "baptist" comes from the Italian "baptizo" which means "immersion." The fact is that one of the main tenets of Baptism is the baptism of an adult by full (head) immersion in consecrated water.
Baptists consider the baptism of infants to be categorically unacceptable, since they are firmly convinced that a person should approach the issue of choosing a faith on the basis of his convictions, life experience and voluntary refusal of unworthy (sinful) actions. And what convictions, experiences and sins can an unintelligent baby have?
Like other Protestants, Baptists accept the Bible as scripture. The spiritual leader (presbyter) of each Baptist congregation does not have absolute authority. Decisions on important issues affecting the interests of the community are made either by the church council, consisting of the most authoritative and respected representatives of the community, or by a general meeting. Baptist worship is not in any strict framework, as in the case of Orthodox Christians or Catholics; rather, they are improvisation and include sermons, singing, as well as reading prayers, moreover in their own words, and any works of spiritual content.
The main prayer day for Baptists is Sunday. On other days, Baptists may gather for a Bible study or other religious purpose.
Baptism traces its history back to 1609, when a group of English Puritans led by John Smith, who left their homeland and found refuge in Holland, founded the first community in Amsterdam. Soon in 1612, part of the same group of Puritans returned to London and founded the first Baptist congregation in England. At the same time, the main provisions and dogmas were finally formed. But Baptism was most developed in the New World. Large groups of people persecuted for refusing to baptize babies moved to empty lands and founded cities and even entire colonies. So, for example, the future state of Rhode Island emerged.
In Russia, Baptism began to spread in the second half of the 19th century, mainly in the Black Sea region and the North Caucasus. Currently, there is the Russian Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists. People who identify themselves as Baptists make up the second largest Christian community in Russia after the Orthodox.