Baptism is a ritual of purification came from the ancient Jewish practice of bathing in a large bath called mikvah to purity from the various acts.
Biblical origins
Baptism starts when Jesus is baptized by John the Baptism in the River of Jordan. In the twelfth century baptism is a sacrament and one of the holy seven rites. The term “baptism” used for various spiritual traditions.
Who can be baptized, and who can perform the baptismal ceremony
Everybody can be baptized but usually a new born-child of few month.
Many range of officials can perform baptismal ceremonies allowed by the Catholic Church or any individual with the right intention in some situation.