Topical Encyclopedia
A catechumen is an individual who is undergoing instruction and preparation for baptism and entry into the Christian Church. The term originates from the Greek word "katēchoumenos," meaning "one being instructed." In the early Christian Church, catechumens were typically converts from paganism or Judaism who were preparing to fully embrace the Christian faith through the sacrament of baptism.
Biblical FoundationsWhile the specific term "catechumen" does not appear in the Bible, the concept of instructing new believers is evident throughout the New Testament. The Great Commission, as recorded in
Matthew 28:19-20, underscores the importance of teaching: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This passage highlights the dual role of baptism and teaching in the process of making disciples.
The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the need for instruction in the faith. In his letter to the Romans, he writes, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (
Romans 10:17). This underscores the necessity of teaching and hearing the Word as foundational to developing faith.
Historical ContextIn the early Church, the catechumenate was a formal period of instruction that could last several years. This period allowed catechumens to learn the core tenets of the Christian faith, including the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. The instruction was often conducted by a bishop or a designated teacher and included moral and doctrinal teachings.
The catechumenate culminated in the sacrament of baptism, typically administered during the Easter Vigil. This practice is reflected in the writings of early Church Fathers such as Tertullian and Cyril of Jerusalem, who detailed the rigorous preparation and examination catechumens underwent before baptism.
Role and SignificanceThe role of the catechumenate was not only educational but also spiritual and communal. Catechumens were considered part of the Christian community, though they were not yet full members. They participated in the liturgy of the Word but were dismissed before the Eucharist, symbolizing their ongoing journey toward full communion with the Church.
The catechumenate served as a period of discernment and conversion, allowing individuals to deepen their understanding of the faith and their commitment to Christ. It was a time for catechumens to renounce their former ways and embrace a new life in Christ, as Paul writes in
Ephesians 4:22-24: "You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Modern PracticeIn contemporary Christianity, the catechumenate has been revived in various forms, particularly within liturgical traditions such as Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a modern adaptation of the ancient catechumenate, providing a structured process for adults to prepare for baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist.
Protestant denominations also emphasize the importance of catechesis, though the structure and duration may vary. The focus remains on grounding new believers in the essentials of the faith, fostering spiritual growth, and preparing them for active participation in the life of the Church.
The catechumenate continues to be a vital aspect of Christian discipleship, reflecting the early Church's commitment to nurturing and instructing new believers in the faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
L. catechunenus, Gr. / instructed, from /. See) One who is receiving rudimentary instruction in the doctrines of Christianity; a neophyte; in the primitive church, one officially recognized as a Christian, and admitted to instruction preliminary to admission to full membership in the church.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CATECHIST; CATECHUMENkat'-e-kist, kate-ku'-men (katechizein "to resound," "to teach," "to instruct"): A catechist is a teacher who instructs his pupils in the elements of his own religion. In the Old Testament he teaches them the rudiments of Old Testament truth; in the New Testament he teaches the principles of the Christian faith. A catechumen, one whom the catechist instructs or catechizes, in preparation for the ceremony of baptism.
The words are derived from katechein, meaning "to give a sound," "to answer," "to echo." Classically it was used of the sounding down of rushing water, of the falling of music from a ship to the sea. Then it came to signify the sounding down of words of command or instruction. The preposition kata strengthens the meaning, bringing out more emphatically the back or return sound, the echo, the answer. So it came to mean familiar verbal instruction, a free informal discussion between teacher and pupil. Luke informs Theophilus (Luke 1:4) that he intends to give him a succinct and orderly account of those things which he had previously received by word of mouth (peri hon katechethes). See also the Greek inActs 18:25 andActs 21:21;Romans 2:181 Corinthians 14:19;Galatians 6:6. In all these passages the Greek verb is "catechised."
We do not find in the New Testament an organized catechumenate, such as we find in the 3rd and 4th centuries. The apostles preached mainly to synagogue-instructed Jews who were familiar with the law and the prophets and the Psalms, or to Gentiles who had, learned from the Jews and had become "proselytes" (which see). The first apostolic preaching and teaching was to convince the hearers that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Saviour of the world. As believers multiplied, the contrast between them and those who rejected the teaching became more and more marked. Opposition, scorn and persecution became more bold and bitter. The Christians were compelled to set forth and defend their beliefs more clearly. They had to meet and answer keen and persistent objections. And so the necessity for clear, systematic and organized teaching grew more and more into the form of an ordered catechumenate. The Apostolic Constitutions, from the latter part of the 3rd century, show the institution in a fair state of development. A Jew, pagan, or heretic of good moral standing, upon application to the deacon, presbyter, or bishop, was admitted into the state of catechumen by the sign of the cross and the imposition of hands (Schaff-Herzog, under the word).
The basis for the Christian catechumenate we find in the great commission (Matthew 28:19, 20). The aim of this commission was to make disciples, i.e. believing followers. The means for this discipling are baptizing and teaching. The result of using the means is that those who have become disciples are to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded.
Jesus Himself at twelve years of age had become a child of the law, a catechumen. He increased in wisdom and learned obedience. He became the great Catechist instructing His disciples, other private individuals and the multitudes. See an example of His catechizing inMatthew 16:13.
Paul was a master in method. See examples of use of the modern pedagogical method of apperception inActs 14:14;Acts 17:16; 19:8, 9. The cathechetical method is frequently found in the epistles (see1 Corinthians 3:1, 2Hebrews 5:11, 14;Hebrews 6:1, 21 Peter 2:21 John 2:13), and so the idea of religious nurture and instruction is found all through the New Testament. The catechist and the catechumen are there. It was not something new in the New Testament. Its roots lie back and run through the Old Testament. The narrative of God's first communication with man, inside the gates of Eden, concerning commandment, law, sin, its consequences, its remedy, takes a catechetical form. The importance of systematic instruction, both public and private, is emphasized throughout the Old Testament and New Testament, although it might not always take the form of catechizing in the modern pedagogical sense. In the patriarchal age the father was the prophet, the teacher, the catechist, in his house, which often included several families with their servants (seeGenesis 18:19). Matthew Henry explains thus: "Abraham not only took care of his children, but his whole household, including his servants, were catechized" (see alsoExodus 12:26Deuteronomy 6:1-9Joshua 4:6, 7;Joshua 24:15Psalm 34:11). Priests and Levites in addition to their sacerdotal functions were catechists (instructors) among the people (Leviticus 10:11Deuteronomy 33:102 Chronicles 15:3Ezekiel 44:23). In later times the synagogues had regular instruction in the law and the prophets.
SeeEDUCATION;INSTRUCTION; TEACHER.
G. H. Gerberding
Library
Martin Restores aCatechumen to Life.
... Martin restores aCatechumen to Life.... But, after the lapse only of a few days, the
catechumen, seized with a languor, began to suffer from a violent fever....
If aCatechumen Coming into the Church have Taken his Place in the...
... Canon V. If acatechumen coming into the Church have taken his place in
the order of? If acatechumen coming into the Church have...
That theCatechumen Ought Now no Longer to Sin.
... Third Book. 98. That thecatechumen ought now no longer to sin. In the
Epistle of Paul to the Romans: "Let us do evil until the...
Of the Formal Admission of theCatechumen, and of the Signs...
... Chapter 26."Of the Formal Admission of theCatechumen, and of the Signs
Therein Made Use of. 50. At the conclusion of this address...
Of the Attainment of Cheerfulness in the Duty of Catechising, and...
... Chapter 10."Of the Attainment of Cheerfulness in the Duty of Catechising, and
of Various Causes Producing Weariness in theCatechumen. 14....
A Specimen of a Catechetical Address; and First, the Case of a...
... Chapter 16."A Specimen of a Catechetical Address; And First, the Case of
aCatechumen with Worthy Views. 24. Nevertheless, however...
The Specimen of Catechetical Discourse Continued, in Reference...
... Chapter 17."The Specimen of Catechetical Discourse Continued, in Reference Specially
to the Reproval of False Aims on theCatechumen's Part. 26....
On the Catechising of the Uninstructed
... Chapter 10.--Of the Attainment of Cheerfulness in the Duty of Catechising,
and of Various Causes Producing Weariness in theCatechumen....
John Chapter ix
... If, therefore, when He baptized him in a manner in Himself, He then enlightened
him; when He anointed Him, perhaps He made him acatechumen....
Confirmation.
... Church? This is confirmation. Thecatechumen has been examined by the pastor
as to his fitness for this important step. The pastor...
Thesaurus
Catechumen... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CATECHIST;
CATECHUMEN.
... A
catechumen, one whom the catechist
instructs or catechizes, in preparation for the ceremony of baptism.
...Catechist
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CATECHIST;CATECHUMEN.... Acatechumen, one whom the catechist
instructs or catechizes, in preparation for the ceremony of baptism....
Caterpillar (6 Occurrences)
Illumination (2 Occurrences)
... But this probably would go too far; the most that can be said is that he means the
state of mind of a full Christian and not that of acatechumen (compare also...
Believer (15 Occurrences)
... who was admitted to all the rights of divine worship and instructed in all the
mysteries of the Christian religion, in distinction from acatechumen, or one...
Exploration
... A woman traveler of the 4th century reports some interesting facts about the early
ritual of the Jerusalem church and thecatechumen teaching, and surprises us...
Synoptic
... education. It consisted mainly in committing accurately to memory, and in
repetition from memory (see CATECHIST;CATECHUMEN). There...
Gospels
... education. It consisted mainly in committing accurately to memory, and in
repetition from memory (see CATECHIST;CATECHUMEN). There...
Palestine (1 Occurrence)
... A woman traveler of the 4th century reports some interesting facts about the early
ritual of the Jerusalem church and thecatechumen teaching, and surprises us...
Resources
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