Denzel Washington gets baptised, earns minister license

Denzel Washington embraced a new role on Saturday with baptism and receipt of the minister's license.

The Gladiator II actor, 69, was baptised at the Kelly Temple in New York City and spoke to the congregation about his faith.

“It took a while, but I’m finally here,” he said on the occasion. “If [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit.”

Denzel's wife, Pauletta Washington, also expressed her joy over her husband of 41 years taking this big step.

“Forty-six years later, here I’m still standing next to him as only God will have it,” Page Six quoted the actress who spoke into the mic as her husband sat on the steps of the pulpit, seemingly wiping away tears.

“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.”

Denzel was dressed in a gray T-shirt and black sweatpants for the occasion. He also posed for a photo with his minister’s license and his certificate of baptism.

The Oscar winner's baptism follows his last month's statement about religion in Hollywood.

“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,” said during an interview with Esquire in November.

“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 Academy Award winner added.

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

Denzel then doubled down on his views on Hollywood, saying, “What does that even mean? That to me means a street called Hollywood Boulevard. It’s not like we all meet somewhere and discuss what we believe,” he said.

“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.”

Denzel is dad to four kids John, 40, Katia, 37, and twins Olivia and Malcolm, 33, whom he shares with his wife Pauletta.