A member of a Protestant Christian denomination that practices adult baptism by full immersion in water. Also refers to John the Baptist, the biblical figure who baptized Jesus Christ.
From Greek 'baptistes' meaning 'one who baptizes', derived from 'baptizein' (to dip or immerse). The term was first applied to John the Baptist in the New Testament, then later adopted by the Protestant denomination founded in early 17th century England.
Baptist churches are famous for their full-immersion baptisms, but this practice actually represents a return to the original Greek meaning of 'baptizo' - early Christians were indeed dunked completely underwater, not just sprinkled!
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