The Third Pillar — Born Again of Water and Spirit
Baptism (Meshtire Temqet) is the mystery of spiritual rebirth. Through baptism, a person is born again by water and the Holy Spirit — cleansed from sin, united with the death and resurrection of Christ, adopted into the family of God, and made a member of the Church.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church baptizes by threefold immersion in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — a triple descent and rising that confesses the Holy Trinity and mirrors Christ’s three days in the tomb.
3×Immersions in the Trinity
40 daysMale infant baptism
80 daysFemale infant baptism
Traditionally, male infants are baptized on the 40th day and female infants on the 80th day, following the biblical pattern of purification in Leviticus 12:2–7. If a child is sick or in danger, the Church baptizes immediately — because the Lord said no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
Baptism is not merely an outward sign or a symbolic washing. It is a real mystery of renewal — transforming the person from within and opening the way to communion with God.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”
— John 3:5
What follows is eleven teachings on this Mystery — each rooted in Scripture and confirmed by the Church Fathers of the Undivided Church.
