"Is he trying to get ahead of the Diddy revelations?"— Internet questions timing as Denzel Washington gets baptized, becomes a licensed minister 

Actor, producer, and director Denzel Washington was baptized on December 21 at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in New York City and earned his minister’s license. Before taking a dip in the holy water, the Oscar winner spoke with the congregation about his faith.

“It took a while, but I’m finally here. If [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit. This world and its fame & riches will fade away, but only what you do for CHRIST will LAST!!!!” he shared, as per Archbishop Christopher Bryant who was in attendance.

Photos of Denzel wearing the minister’s uniform and posing with his license and baptism certificate have gone viral.

In the wake of this, the internet is having diverse reactions, with many questioning the timing of Washington’s official church entry. For instance, X user @CherylS19274418 commented on influencer Dom Lucre’s post on the same and said:

“I have always liked Denzel but the timing is suspicious. Is he trying to get ahead of the Diddy revelations?”

Many people joined the conversation and shared similar reactions on the platform.

“I would hate to see him on either of the lists. I have always had a lot of respect for him. Many don't know about all of the charity contributions he's made because he doesn't invite the world to see them. I respect that,” a person wrote.

“Too late?” one person asked.

“Not sure that washes away a #Diddyparty #Myman,” wrote another.

Others continued to weigh in.

“Finding God doesn’t absolve you of your past transgressions Denzel,” a netizen wrote.

“Looks like all of Hollywood is either doubling down on their evilness or repenting,” another netizen wrote.

“Perhaps in an attempt to outrun the rumors concerning him and Diddy?” a user asked.

“Baptism is great he might got forgiven for hanging out with Diddy hard to tell if he hang around for the freak offs,” an individual wrote.

Notably, following Sean “Diddy” Combs’ arrest and federal indictment on s*x trafficking and similar other charges in October 2024, Denzel Washington’s name came up in connection to the Bad Boy Records founder’s “white parties.” Reportedly, he, too, attended them.

However, the Equalizer star once allegedly called out Diddy during one of the latter’s all-night gatherings in 2003. An insider told Us Weekly that Denzel had screamed at the now-disgraced rapper about not respecting anyone.

Washington and his wife Pauletta allegedly “stormed out” after seeing something near dawn at the party. The source also claimed that Denzel Washington told everyone to "leave" Diddy parties "thirty minutes before the devil arrived."

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Exploring Denzel Washington’s baptism, faith, and more

On Saturday, December 21, Denzel Washington got baptized and became a licensed minister. During the ceremony, his wife of 41 years, Pauletta, addressed the congregation and said she was proud of her husband for taking a big step in his religion.

“Forty-six years later, here I’m still standing next to him as only God will have it. So, I’m very proud of you. You are the head of our house and you have set a great example for our children, who are now adult children who know the difference because we have shown them the difference,” she said.

Denzel Washington’s baptism comes after he spoke about Hollywood and religion during an interview with Esquire in November. He shared being unable to "talk" about his faith.

“When you see me, you see the best I could do with what I’ve been given by my lord and savior. I’m unafraid. I don’t care what anyone thinks. See, talking about the fear part of it — you can’t talk like that and win Oscars. You can’t talk like that and party. You can’t say that in this town,” the 69-year-old shared.

“I’m free now. It’s not talked about in this town. It’s not talked about… It’s not fashionable. It’s not s*xy. But that doesn’t mean people in Hollywood don’t believe.”

Denzel Washington also said there was “no such thing” as Hollywood, but just a street called Hollywood Boulevard.

“It’s not like we all meet somewhere and discuss what we believe. So, I don’t know how many other actors have faith. I didn’t do no poll. How would I find that out? I mean, there’s no Church Actor Meetings I’ve been to,” he explained.

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Denzel Washington grew up in a Christian family, where his father was a Pentecostal minister. He currently attends the West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles. Washington called his ministerial baptism his “greatest accomplishment.”

As a child, he attended the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in NYC. Archbishop Christopher Bryant, who baptized Washington, said he “testified to being filled with the Holy Spirit” after attending the church with actor Robert Townsend in the 1980s.