Baptism

==Practitioners==
[[File:River baptism in New Bern.jpg|thumb|right|A river baptism in [[North Carolina]] at the turn of the 20th century. Full-immersion (submersion) baptism continues to be a common practice in many African-American Christian congregations today.]]

===Protestantism===
====Anabaptist====
Early Anabaptists were given that name because they re-baptized persons who they felt had not been properly baptized, as they did not recognize infant baptism.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Anabaptist | title = Online Etymological Dictionary | orig-date = 2001 | year = 2010 | first = Douglas | last = Harper | contribution = Anabaptist | access-date = August 6, 2013}}</ref>

The traditional form of Anabaptist baptism was pouring, the form commonly used in Western Christianity in the early 16th century when they emerged. Pouring continues to be normative in [[Mennonite]], [[Amish]] and [[Hutterite]] traditions of Anabaptist Christianity.<ref name="KurianDay2017">{{cite book |last1=Kurian |first1=George Thomas |last2=Day |first2=Sarah Claudine |title=The Essential Handbook of Denominations and Ministries |date=14 March 2017 |publisher=Baker Books |isbn=978-1-4934-0640-1 |language=en |quote=The Conservative Mennonite Conference practices believer's baptism, seen as an external symbol of internal spiritual purity and performed by immersion or pouring of water on the head; Communion; washing the feet of the saints, following Jesus's example and reminding believers of the need to be washed of pride, rivalry, and selfish motives; anointing the sick with oil--a symbol of the Holy Spirit and of the healing power of God--offered with the prayer of faith; and laying on of hands for ordination, symbolizing the imparting of responsibility and of God's power to fulfill that responsibility.}}</ref><ref name="Kraybill2010">{{cite book |last1=Kraybill |first1=Donald B. |title=Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites |date=1 November 2010 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-0-8018-9911-9 |page=23 |language=English |quote=All Amish, Hutterites, and most Mennonites baptized by pouring or sprinkling.}}</ref> The [[Mennonite Brethren Church]], [[Schwarzenau Brethren]] and [[River Brethren]] denominations of Anabaptist Christianity practice immersion. The Schwarzenau church immerses in the forward position three times, for each person of the Holy Trinity and because "the Bible says Jesus bowed his head (letting it fall forward) and died. Baptism represents a dying of the old, sinful self."<ref name="Durnbaugh1983">{{cite book |last1=Durnbaugh |first1=Donald F. |title=The Brethren Encyclopedia |date=1983 |publisher=Brethren Encyclopedia, Incorporated |isbn=978-0-318-00487-7 |page=82 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Mitchell2007">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Larry |title=Old Brethren follow distinctive practices |url=https://www.chicoer.com/2007/11/04/old-brethren-follow-distinctive-practices/ |publisher=[[Chico Enterprise-Record]] |access-date=11 May 2022 |language=English |date=4 November 2007}}</ref> Today all modes of baptism (such as pouring and immersion) can be found among Anabaptists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baptism - GAMEO |url=https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Baptism |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=gameo.org}}</ref>

[[Conservative Mennonites|Conservative Mennonite Anabaptists]] count baptism to be one of the [[Ordinance (Christianity)|seven ordinances]].<ref name="Hartzler2013">{{cite book |last1=Hartzler |first1=Rachel Nafziger |title=No Strings Attached: Boundary Lines in Pleasant Places: A History of Warren Street / Pleasant Oaks Mennonite Church |date=30 April 2013 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-62189-635-7 |language=English}}</ref> In [[Anabaptist theology]], baptism is a part of the process of salvation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fretz |first1=Clarence Y. |title=How To Make SURE You Are Saved |url=https://www.anabaptists.org/tracts/saved.html |publisher=Anabaptists |access-date=22 May 2021 |language=English}}</ref> For Anabaptists, "believer's baptism consists of three parts, the Spirit, the water, and the blood—these three witnesses on earth."<ref name="Eby">{{cite web |last1=Eby |first1=Edwin R. |title=Early Anabaptist Positions on Believer's Baptism and a Challenge for Today |url=https://www.pilgrimministry.org/literature/early-anabaptist-positions-on-believer%E2%80%99s-baptism-and-a-challenge-for-today |publisher=Pilgrim Mennonite Conference |access-date=11 May 2022 |language=English |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511071751/https://www.pilgrimministry.org/literature/early-anabaptist-positions-on-believer%E2%80%99s-baptism-and-a-challenge-for-today }}</ref> According to [[Anabaptist theology]]: (1) In believer's baptism, the Holy Spirit witnesses the candidate entering into a [[covenant (religion)|covenant]] with God.<ref name="Eby"/> (2) God, in believer's baptism, "grants a baptized believer the water of baptism as a sign of His covenant with them—that such a one indicates and publicly confesses that he wants to live in true obedience towards God and fellow believers with a blameless life."<ref name="Eby"/> (3) Integral to believer's baptism is the candidate's mission to witness to the world even unto [[Christian martyr|martyrdom]], echoing Jesus' words that "they would be baptized with His baptism, witnessing to the world when their blood was spilt."<ref name="Eby"/>

====Baptist====
For the majority of Baptists, Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.<ref>{{bibleverse|Matthew|28:19}}</ref><ref name="BFM">{{cite web |title=VII. Baptism and the Lord's Supper |url-status=dead |work=The Baptist Faith and Message |publisher=Southern Baptist Convention |access-date=July 29, 2009 |url=http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#vii |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303000119/http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#vii |archive-date=March 3, 2009 }}</ref> Baptism does not accomplish anything in itself, but is an outward personal sign that the person's sins have already been washed away by the blood of Christ's cross.<ref name="London">{{cite web |url-status=dead |title=London Baptist Confession of 1644 |at=XVII. |url=http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/bc1644.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617103253/http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/bc1644.htm |archive-date=June 17, 2010 |website=The Spurgeon Archive }}</ref>

[[File:Brownlow-immersion-attack-1856.jpg|thumb|Engraving from [[William G. Brownlow]]'s book ''The Great Iron Wheel Examined'', showing a Baptist minister changing clothes in front of horrified women after administering a [[#Submersion|baptism by immersion]].]]For a new convert the general practice is that baptism also allows the person to be a registered member of the local Baptist congregation (though some churches have adopted "new members classes" as an additional mandatory step for congregational membership).{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

Regarding rebaptism the general rules are:{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
* baptisms by other than immersion are not recognized as valid and therefore rebaptism by immersion is required; and
* baptisms by immersion in other denominations may be considered valid if performed after the person having professed faith in Jesus Christ (though among the more conservative groups such as [[Independent Baptists]], rebaptism may be required by the local congregation if performed in a non-Baptist church – and, in extreme cases, even if performed within a Baptist church that wasn't an Independent Baptist congregation)

For newborns, there is a ceremony called [[child dedication]].<ref>David Blankenhorn, ''The Faith Factor in Fatherhood: Renewing the Sacred Vocation of Fathering'', Lexington Books, USA, 1999, p. 103</ref>

[[Tennessee]] [[Antebellum South|antebellum]] [[Southern Methodist|Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]] and newspaper publisher [[William G. Brownlow]] stated within his 1856 book ''The Great Iron Wheel Examined; or, Its False Spokes Extracted, and an Exhibition of Elder Graves, Its Builder'' that the immersion baptism practiced within the Baptist churches as found within the United States did not extend in a "regular line of succession...from John the Baptist – but from old Zeke Holliman and his true yoke-fellow, [[Roger Williams|Mr. [Roger] Williams]]" as during 1639 Holliman and Williams first immersion baptized each other and then immersion baptized the ten other members of the [[First Baptist Church in America|first Baptist church]] in [[British America]] at [[Providence, Rhode Island]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brownlow |first=William Gannaway |url=http://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9Kw8AAAAYAAJ |title=The great iron wheel examined; or, its false spokes extracted, and an exhibition of Elder Graves, its builder |date=1856 |publisher=Nashville, Tenn., For the author |others=unknown library}}</ref>

====Churches of Christ====
Baptism in [[Churches of Christ]] is performed only by full bodily immersion,<ref name="Perfect Stranger">{{cite book|first1=Stuart M. |last1=Matlins |first2=Arthur J. |last2= Magida |first3=J. |last3=Magida |title= How to Be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People's Religious Ceremonies |publisher= Wood Lake Publishing |year=1999 |isbn= 978-1-896836-28-7 |chapter= Churches of Christ}}</ref>{{rp |107}}<ref name= "Rhodes 2005">{{cite book |first=Ron |last=Rhodes |title=The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations |publisher= Harvest House |year= 2005 |isbn= 0-7369-1289-4}}</ref>{{rp|124}} based on the [[Koine Greek]] verb ''baptizo'' which means to dip, immerse, submerge or plunge.<ref name="Who Are the churches of Christ">{{cite book |last=Baxter |first=Batsell Barrett |author-link=Batsell Barrett Baxter |url=http://www.woodsonchapel.com/coc.php/ |title=Who are the churches of Christ and what do they believe in? |access-date=September 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131110444/http://www.woodsonchapel.com/coc.php/ |archive-date=January 31, 2008 |df=mdy}}, and [http://church-of-christ.org/who.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209022100/http://church-of-christ.org/who.html|date=February 9, 2014}}, {{cite web |title=Church of Christ |url=http://www.cris.com/~mmcoc/coc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509163609/http://www.cris.com/~mmcoc/coc.html |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |access-date=2009-09-10}} and {{cite web |title=Who are the Churches of Christ? |url=http://www.scripturessay.com/article.php?cat%3D%26id%3D6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130131444/http://scripturessay.com/article.php?cat=&id=6 |archive-date=November 30, 2010 |access-date=September 10, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Understanding Four Views on Baptism">{{cite book |first1= Tom J. |last1=Nettles | first2=Richard L. Jr. | last2=Pratt |first3=John H. |last3= Armstrong |first4=Robert |last4=Kolb |title=Understanding Four Views on Baptism |publisher=Zondervan |year=2007 |isbn= 978-0-310-26267-1}}</ref>{{rp|139}}<ref name="Howard 1971">{{cite book |first=V. E. |last=Howard |title=What Is the Church of Christ? |edition=4th |publisher= Central Printers & Publishers |location= West Monroe, [[Louisiana|LO]] |year= 1971}}</ref>{{rp|313–14}}<ref name= "Baptism, Why Wait?">{{cite book |first=Rees |last= Bryant |title=Baptism, Why Wait?: Faith's Response in Conversion |publisher=College Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-89900-858-5}}</ref>{{rp|22}}<ref name="Wharton 1997">{{cite book |first=Edward C. |last= Wharton |title=The Church of Christ: The Distinctive Nature of the New Testament Church |publisher= Gospel Advocate |year=1997 |isbn= 0-89225-464-5}}</ref>{{rp|45–46}} Submersion is seen as more closely conforming to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus than other modes of baptism.<ref name= "Who Are the churches of Christ" /><ref name="Understanding Four Views on Baptism" />{{rp|140}}<ref name= "Howard 1971" />{{rp|314–16}} Churches of Christ argue that historically immersion was the mode used in the 1st century, and that pouring and sprinkling later emerged as secondary modes when immersion was not possible.<ref name="Understanding Four Views on Baptism" />{{rp|140}} Over time these secondary modes came to replace immersion.<ref name="Understanding Four Views on Baptism" />{{rp|140}} Only those mentally capable of belief and repentance are baptized (i.e., [[infant baptism]] is not practiced because the New Testament has no precedent for it).<ref name="Rhodes 2005" />{{rp|124}}<ref name= "Who Are the churches of Christ" /><ref name= "Howard 1971" />{{rp |318–19}}<ref name= "Ferguson 1996">{{cite book |first=Everett |last= Ferguson |author-link= Everett Ferguson |title=The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans |year=1996 |isbn= 978-0-8028-4189-6}}</ref>{{rp|195}}

Churches of Christ have historically had the most conservative position on baptism among the various branches of the [[Restoration Movement]], understanding baptism by immersion to be a necessary part of conversion.<ref name= "Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism">{{cite book |first1= Douglas Allen |last1=Foster |first2= Anthony L. |last2= Dunnavant |title=The Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans |year=2004 |isbn= 978-0-8028-3898-8 |chapter=entry on ''Baptism''}}</ref>{{rp|61}} The most significant disagreements concerned the extent to which a correct understanding of the role of baptism is necessary for its validity.<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|p.61}} [[David Lipscomb]] insisted that if a believer was baptized out of a desire to obey God, the baptism was valid, even if the individual did not fully understand the role baptism plays in salvation.<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|61}} [[Austin McGary]] contended that to be valid, the convert must also understand that baptism is for the forgiveness of sins.<ref name= "Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|62}} McGary's view became the prevailing one in the early 20th century, but the approach advocated by Lipscomb never totally disappeared.<ref name= "Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp |62}} As such, the general practice among churches of Christ is to require rebaptism by immersion of converts, even those who were previously baptized by immersion in other churches.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

More recently, the rise of the [[International Churches of Christ]] has caused some to reexamine the issue.<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|66}}

Churches of Christ consistently teach that in baptism a believer surrenders his life in faith and obedience to God, and that God "by the merits of Christ's blood, cleanses one from sin and truly changes the state of the person from an alien to a citizen of God's kingdom. Baptism is not a human work; it is the place where God does the work that only God can do."<ref name= "Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|66}} Baptism is a passive act of faith rather than a meritorious work; it "is a confession that a person has nothing to offer God."<ref name= "Theology Matters" />{{rp|112}} While Churches of Christ do not describe baptism as a "sacrament", their view of it can legitimately be described as "sacramental".<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp |66}}<ref name="Baptism, Why Wait?" />{{rp|186}} They see the power of baptism coming from God, who chose to use baptism as a vehicle, rather than from the water or the act itself,<ref name= "Baptism, Why Wait?" />{{rp|186}} and understand baptism to be an integral part of the conversion process, rather than just a symbol of conversion.<ref name= "Baptism, Why Wait?" />{{rp |184}}

A recent trend is to emphasize the transformational aspect of baptism: instead of describing it as just a legal requirement or sign of something that happened in the past, it is seen as "the event that places the believer 'into Christ' where God does the ongoing work of transformation."<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|66}} There is a minority that downplays the importance of baptism to avoid sectarianism, but the broader trend is to "reexamine the richness of the biblical teaching of baptism and to reinforce its central and essential place in Christianity."<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|66}}

Because of the belief that baptism is a necessary part of salvation, some Baptists hold that the Churches of Christ endorse the doctrine of [[baptismal regeneration]].<ref name="Foster">Douglas A. Foster, [http://www.acu.edu/sponsored/restoration_quarterly/archives/2000s/vol_43_no_2_contents/foster.html "Churches of Christ and Baptism: An Historical and Theological Overview,"] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100520041454/http://www.acu.edu/sponsored/restoration_quarterly/archives/2000s/vol_43_no_2_contents/foster.html |date=May 20, 2010}} ''[[Restoration Quarterly]]'', Volume 43/Number 2 (2001).</ref> However, members of the Churches of Christ reject this, arguing that since faith and repentance are necessary, and that the cleansing of sins is by the blood of Christ through the grace of God, baptism is not an inherently redeeming ritual.<ref name="Understanding Four Views on Baptism" />{{rp|133}}<ref name= "Foster" /><ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Regeneration">{{cite book |first1=Douglas Allen |last1=Foster |first2=Anthony L. |last2= Dunnavant |title=The Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |year=2004 |isbn= 978-0-8028-3898-8 |chapter= entry on ''Regeneration''}}</ref>{{rp|630–31}} Rather, their inclination is to point to the biblical passage in which Peter, analogizing baptism to Noah's flood, posits that "likewise baptism doth also now save us" but parenthetically clarifies that baptism is "''not'' the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the ''response of a good conscience'' toward God" (1 Peter 3:21).<ref>[[KJV]], italics inserted.</ref> One author from the churches of Christ describes the relationship between faith and baptism this way, "''Faith'' is the ''reason why'' a person is a child of God; ''baptism'' is the ''time at which'' one is incorporated into Christ and so becomes a child of God" (italics are in the source).<ref name= "Ferguson 1996" />{{rp |170}} Baptism is understood as a confessional expression of faith and repentance,<ref name="Ferguson 1996" />{{rp|179–82}} rather than a "work" that earns salvation.<ref name= "Ferguson 1996" />{{rp |170}}

====Lutheranism====
{{Further|Lutheran sacraments}}
In [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Christianity]], baptism is a sacrament that [[baptismal regeneration|regenerates the soul]].<ref name="Schmid1876">{{cite book |last1=Schmid |first1=Heinrich |title=The Doctrinal Theology of the Evangelical Lutheran Church |date=1876 |publisher=Lutheran Publication Society |page=595 |language=en|quote=By Baptism we are regenerated and renewed; by the Lord's Supper we are fed and nourished unto eternal life. In ''Baptism'', especially that of infants, faith is kindled by the Holy Spirit; in the use of the ''Supper'' it is increased, confirmed, and sealed. By ''Baptism'' we are grafted into Christ; by the ''salutary use of the Lord's Supper'' we receive a spiritual increase in this relation. By ''Baptism'' we are received into the divine covenant; by the ''use of the Eucharist'' we are preserved in it, or, when we fall from it by sins against conscience, we are restored to it by true penitence.}}</ref> Upon one's baptism, one receives the [[Holy Spirit]] and becomes a part of the church.<ref name="Schmid1876"/> According to Martin Luther's [[Luther's Small Catechism|Small Catechism]], it is the word and command of God "in and with the water" that gives baptism its power which "works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Luther |first=Martin |date= |title=The Small Catechism: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism |url=https://bookofconcord.org/small-catechism/the-sacrament-of-holy-baptism/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 April 2024 |website=Book of Concord.org}}</ref> In Lutheran theology, baptism is not viewed as a work that the baptizant performs in obedience to the law, but rather a work of God that is received by faith, which "clings to the water."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Luther |first=Martin |date= |title=The Large Catechism: Holy Baptism |url=https://bookofconcord.org/large-catechism/holy-baptism/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 April 2024 |website=Book of Concord.org}}</ref>

====Methodism====
[[File:Baptistry (United Methodist Church of the Saviour).jpg|thumb|upright|A baptistry in a [[Methodist]] church]]
The Methodist [[Articles of Religion (Methodist)|Articles of Religion]], with regard to baptism, teach:<ref name="NettlesPrattKolbCastelein2009">{{cite book|title=Understanding Four Views on Baptism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jUmAMlP8YOYC&pg=PA92|year=2009|publisher=Zondervan|language=en|isbn=978-0310866985|page=92|quote=Thomas J. Nettles, Richard L. Pratt Jr., Robert Kolb, John D. Castelein}}</ref>
{{blockquote|Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The Baptism of young children is to be retained in the Church.<ref name="NettlesPrattKolbCastelein2009"/>}}
While baptism imparts grace, Methodists teach that a [[Born again#Methodism|personal acceptance of Jesus Christ]] (the first work of grace) is essential to one's salvation;<ref name="FMC2008">{{cite web |title=Baptism and Dedication |url=https://www.fmcic.ca/baptism-and-dedication/ |publisher=[[Free Methodist Church]] |date=3 December 2008 |quote=When they baptize babies, pastors should make sure that their prayers include clear requests that God will bring the children to a personal faith that "owns" what the parents are promising at a time when the children (who "belong" from day one) cannot act for themselves. And when they dedicate children, pastors should make sure that their prayers include clear gratitude to God for the fact that he is already at work in the life of that child, who already "belongs" in the Christian community. Here's what must be stressed: whether at the time of baptism (in the adult baptism tradition) or at the time of confirmation when the vows made earlier by the parents are personally "owned" (in the infant baptism tradition), it is faith in Jesus (dependent trust, not mere cognitive affirmation) that is crucial. Paul goes so far as to say that without faith and obedience, the old rite of circumcision has no value (Romans 2:25). The same is true of baptism. With either rite, clear evangelistic follow-through is crucial.}}</ref><ref name="UMC – By Water and the Spirit"/> during the second work of grace, [[entire sanctification]], a believer is purified of [[original sin]] and made [[holy]].<ref name="Stokes1998">{{cite book|last=Stokes|first=Mack B.|title=Major United Methodist Beliefs|year=1998|publisher=Abingdon Press|language=English|isbn=978-0687082124|page=95}}</ref><ref name="Whidden2005">{{cite web |last1=Whidden |first1=Woodrow W. |title=Adventist Theology: The Wesleyan Connection |url=https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/es/node/203 |publisher=Biblical Research Institute |access-date=30 June 2019 |language=English |date=18 April 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630044749/https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/es/node/203|archive-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> As such, in the Methodist tradition, [[Baptism with the Holy Spirit]] has referred to the second work of grace, [[Christian perfection|entire sanctification]] (Christian perfection).<ref name="UMC2012"/>

In the [[Methodist Church]]es, baptism is a [[sacrament]] of initiation into the [[visible Church]].<ref name="StuartChappell1922">{{cite book|last1=Stuart|first1=George Rutledge|last2=Chappell|first2=Edwin Barfield|title=What Every Methodist Should Know|url=https://archive.org/details/whateverymethod00chapgoog|year=1922|publisher=Lamar & Barton|language=en |page=[https://archive.org/details/whateverymethod00chapgoog/page/n86 83]}}</ref> [[Covenant theology#Wesleyan covenant theology|Wesleyan covenant theology]] further teaches that baptism is a sign and a seal of the covenant of grace:<ref name="Summers1857">{{cite book|last=Summers|first=Thomas Osmond|title=Methodist Pamphlets for the People|year=1857|publisher=E. Stevenson & F. A. Owen for the M. E. Church, South|language=en|page=18}}</ref>
{{blockquote|Of this great new-covenant blessing, baptism was therefore eminently the ''sign''; and it represented "the ''pouring out''" of the Spirit, "the ''descending''" of the Spirit, the "falling" of the Spirit "upon men", by the mode in which it was administered, the pouring of water from above upon the subjects baptized. As a seal, also, or ''confirming'' sign, baptism answers to circumcision.<ref name="Summers1857"/>}}
Methodists recognize three modes of baptism as being valid—"immersion, sprinkling, or pouring" in the name of the [[Holy Trinity]].<ref name="AWMC2014">{{cite book|title=The Discipline of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection (Original Allegheny Conference)|year=2014|publisher=[[Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection]]|location=[[Salem, Ohio|Salem]]|language=en|page=140}}</ref>

====Moravianism====
The [[Moravian Church]] teaches that baptism is a sign and a seal, recognizing three modes of baptism as being valid: immersion, aspersion, and affusion.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Sacrament of Baptism |date=June 19, 2018 |url=https://www.moravian.org/2018/06/the-sacrament-of-baptism/ |publisher=[[Moravian Church]] |access-date=13 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

====Reformed Protestantism====
{{Main|Reformed baptismal theology}}

In [[Reformed baptismal theology]], baptism is seen as primarily God's offer of [[union with Christ]] and all his benefits to the baptized. This offer is believed to be intact even when it is not received in faith by the person baptized.<ref>{{cite book |last=Riggs |first=John W. |title=Baptism in the Reformed Tradition: A Historical and Practical Theology |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |year=2002 |isbn=0-664-21966-7 |location=Louisville, KY |page=119}}</ref> Reformed theologians believe the Holy Spirit brings into effect the promises signified in baptism.<ref>{{cite book |last=Allen |first=R. Michael |title=Reformed Theology |url=https://archive.org/details/reformedtheology00alle |url-access=limited |year=2010 |publisher=[[T&T Clark]] |location=New York |isbn=978-0-567-03430-4 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/reformedtheology00alle/page/n135 123]–124}}</ref> Baptism is held by almost the entire Reformed tradition to effect regeneration, even in infants who are incapable of faith, by effecting faith which would come to fruition later.<ref>{{cite book |last=Riggs |first=John W. |title=Baptism in the Reformed Tradition: A Historical and Practical Theology |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |year=2002 |isbn=0-664-21966-7 |location=Louisville, KY |page=121}}</ref> Baptism also initiates one into the [[visible church]] and the [[covenant of grace]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Riggs |first=John W. |title=Baptism in the Reformed Tradition: A Historical and Practical Theology |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |year=2002 |isbn=0-664-21966-7 |location=Louisville, KY |page=120}}</ref> Baptism is seen as a replacement of [[circumcision]], which is considered the rite of initiation into the covenant of grace in the Old Testament.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fesko |first=J. V. |title = Word, Water, and Spirit: A Reformed Perspective on Baptism |year=2013 |orig-date=2010 |publisher=Reformation Heritage Books |isbn=978-1-60178-282-3 |location=Grand Rapids, MI |page=159}}</ref>

Reformed Christians believe that immersion is not necessary for baptism to be properly performed, but that pouring or sprinkling are acceptable.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rohls |first=Jan |year=1998 |title=Theologie reformierter Bekenntnisschriften |trans-title=Reformed Confessions: Theology from Zurich to Barmen |language=de |location=Louisville, Kentucky |publisher=[[Westminster John Knox Press]] |isbn=0-664-22078-9 |others=Translated by John Hoffmeyer |orig-date=1987 |page=207}}</ref> Only ordained ministers are permitted to administer baptism in Reformed churches, with no allowance for [[emergency baptism]], though baptisms performed by non-ministers are generally considered valid.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rohls |first=Jan |year=1998 |title=Theologie reformierter Bekenntnisschriften |trans-title=Reformed Confessions: Theology from Zurich to Barmen |language=de |location=Louisville, Kentucky |publisher=[[Westminster John Knox Press]] |isbn=0-664-22078-9 |others=Translated by John Hoffmeyer |orig-date=1987 |pages=207–208}}</ref> Reformed churches, while rejecting the baptismal ceremonies of the Roman Catholic church, accept the validity of baptisms performed with them and do not rebaptize.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rohls |first=Jan |year=1998 |title=Theologie reformierter Bekenntnisschriften |trans-title=Reformed Confessions: Theology from Zurich to Barmen |language=de |location=Louisville, Kentucky |publisher=[[Westminster John Knox Press]] |isbn=0-664-22078-9 |others=Translated by John Hoffmeyer |orig-date=1987 |page=209}}</ref>

====United Protestants====
In [[United Protestant Church]]es, such as the [[United Church of Canada]], [[Church of North India]], [[Church of Pakistan]], [[Church of South India]], [[Protestant Church in the Netherlands]], [[Uniting Church in Australia]] and [[United Church of Christ in Japan]], baptism is a [[sacrament]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Baptism and Communion |url=https://united-church.ca/community-and-faith/welcome-united-church-canada/what-we-believe/baptism-and-communion |publisher=[[United Church of Canada]] |access-date=28 March 2021 |language=English}}</ref>

===Catholicism===
{{Religious text primary|date=February 2022}}
{{see also|Sacraments of the Catholic Church|Baptismal vows|Parish register}}
[[File:Bautizo (68227747).jpeg|thumb|Catholic Baptism using a scallop]]
In Catholic teaching, baptism is stated to be "necessary for salvation by actual reception or at least by desire".<ref name="can849">{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2T.HTM |title=Code of Canon Law, canon 849 |publisher=Intratext.com |date=May 4, 2007 |access-date=February 25, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090115174636/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2T.HTM| archive-date= January 15, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Catholic discipline requires the baptism ceremony to be performed by deacons, [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|priests]], or bishops, but in an emergency such as danger of death, anyone can licitly baptize. This teaching is based on the [[Gospel according to John]] which says that Jesus proclaimed: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God."<ref>{{bibleverse|John|3:5|RSV}}</ref> It dates back to the teachings and practices of 1st-century Christians, and the connection between salvation and baptism was not, on the whole, an item of major dispute until [[Huldrych Zwingli]] denied the necessity of baptism, which he saw as merely a sign granting admission to the Christian community.<ref name="cross2005baptism"/> The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament."<ref name="vatican">{{cite web|year=1993|title=The Necessity of Baptism|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3M.HTM|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221160536/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3M.HTM|archive-date=February 21, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2009|work=[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]|publisher=[[Vatican Publishing House]]}}</ref> The [[Council of Trent]] also states in the ''Decree Concerning Justification'' from session six that baptism is necessary for salvation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Council of Trent Session 6 |url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/councils/trent6.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626235233/http://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/TRENT6.htm |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |access-date=November 3, 2012 |at=Session 6}}</ref> A person who knowingly, willfully and unrepentantly rejects baptism has no hope of salvation. However, if knowledge is absent, "those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience."<ref>{{cite web|title=LUMEN GENTIUM |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html |work=Vatican II |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906031754/https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html |archive-date=September 6, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref>

The Catechism of the Catholic Church also states: "Since Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil, one or more [[exorcism]]s are pronounced over the candidate".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3J.HTM |title=Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1237 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> In the [[Roman Rite]] of the baptism of a child, the wording of the prayer of exorcism is: "Almighty and ever-living God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness and bring him into the splendour of your kingdom of light. We pray for this child: set him (her) free from original sin, make him (her) a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him (her). Through Christ our Lord."<ref>Rite of Baptism of Children, 86</ref>

In the Catholic Church by baptism all sins are forgiven, [[original sin]] and all personal sins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ocp.org/what-is-baptism |first1=Jethro |last1=Higgins |date= March 27, 2018 |title=What is Baptism? |publisher=Oregon Catholic Press |access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref> Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte "a new creature", an adopted son of God, who has become a "partaker of the divine nature", member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit. Given once for all, baptism cannot be repeated: just as a man can be born only once, so he is baptized only once. For this reason the holy [[father of the Church|Fathers]] added to the [[Nicene Creed]] the words ''We acknowledge one Baptism''.<ref name="The Aquinas Cathechism">''[https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Aquinas_Catechism/gT6QAQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA84&printsec=frontcover The Aquinas Cathechism]'', Sophia Institute Press, foreword of Ralph Mclnerry, 2000 p. 84. {{ISBN|978-1-928832-10-2}}</ref> Sanctifying grace, the grace of justification, given by God by baptism, erases the original sin and personal actual sins.<ref>Catechism of the Catholic Church: THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM</ref>

The power of Baptism consists in cleansing a man from all his sins as regards both guild and punishment, for which reason no penance is imposed on those who receive Baptism, no matter how great their sins may have been. And if they were to die immediately after Baptism, they would rise at once to eternal life.<ref name="The Aquinas Cathechism" />

In the [[Latin Church]] of the Catholic Church a valid baptism requires, according to Canon 758 of the [[1917 Code of Canon Law]], the baptizer to pronounce the formula "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" while putting the baptized in contact with water. The contact may be immersion, "affusion" (pouring), or "aspersion" (sprinkling).<ref name="Peters2001">{{cite book |last1=Peters |first1=Edward N. |title=The 1917 Or Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law: In English Translation with Extensive Scholarly Apparatus |date=2001 |publisher=[[Ignatius Press]] |isbn=978-0-89870-831-8 |page=280 |language=en}}</ref> The formula requires "name" to be singular, emphasising the [[monotheism]] of the [[Trinity]].<ref>''Ordo initiationis christanae adultorum'', editio typica, Vatican City, Typis polyglottis vaticanis, 1972, pg 92, cf Lateran IV ''De Fide Catholica'', DS 802, cf Florence, ''Decretum pro Armeniis'', DS, 1317.</ref> It is claimed that [[Pope Stephen I]], [[Ambrose]] and [[Pope Nicholas I]] declared that baptisms in the name of "Jesus" only as well as in the name of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" were valid. The correct interpretation of their words is disputed.<ref name="cathen" /> Current [[canonical law]] requires the Trinitarian formula and water for validity.<ref name="can849" /> The formula requires "I baptize" rather than "we baptize", as clarified by a [[responsum]] of June 24, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Responses to Questions Proposed: On the validity of Baptism conferred with the formula "We baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2020/08/06/0406/00923.html#rispostein |website=press.vatican.va |date=6 August 2020 |access-date=16 February 2022}}</ref> In 2022 the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix|Diocese of Phoenix]] accepted the resignation of a parish priest whose use of "we baptize" had invalidated "thousands of baptisms over more than 20 years".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Medina |first1=Eduardo |title=Pastor Resigns After Incorrectly Performing Thousands of Baptisms |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/14/us/catholic-priest-baptisms-phoenix.html |access-date=16 February 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=14 February 2022}}</ref> Note that in the [[Byzantine Rite]] the formla is in the passive voice, "The servant of God N. is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mci.archpitt.org/liturgy/Baptism.html |title=The Mystery of Baptism |work=The Holy Mysteries |publisher=Metropolitan Cantor Institute |access-date=2022-03-13 }}</ref>

Offspring of practicing Catholic parents are typically baptized as infants. Baptism is part of the [[Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults]], provided for converts from non-Christian backgrounds and others not baptized as infants.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RCIA-Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults|url=https://cparl.org/rcia-rite-of-christian-initiation-for-adults|access-date=2021-03-19|website=Catholic Parishes of Arlington|language=en}}</ref> Baptism by non-Catholic Christians is valid if the formula and water are present, and so converts from other Christian denominations are not given a Catholic baptism.

The church recognizes two equivalents of baptism with water: "[[baptism of blood]]" and "[[baptism of desire]]". Baptism of blood is that undergone by unbaptized individuals who are [[martyr]]ed for their faith, while baptism of desire generally applies to [[catechumen]]s who die before they can be baptized. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes these two forms:<ref>{{CCC|pp=1258}}</ref>

<blockquote>The Church has always held the firm conviction that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith without having received Baptism are baptized by their death for and with Christ. This ''Baptism of blood'', like the desire for Baptism, brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament.
:— 1258</blockquote>

<blockquote>For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and [[Charity (virtue)|charity]], assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament.
:— 1259</blockquote>

The Catholic Church holds that those who are ignorant of Christ's Gospel and of the church, but who seek the truth and do God's will as they understand it, may be supposed to have an implicit desire for baptism and can be saved: {{"'}}Since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partakers, in a way known to God, of the Paschal mystery.' Every man who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P3M.HTM |title=Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1260 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> As for unbaptized infants, the church is unsure of their fate; "the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P3M.HTM |title=Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1261 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref>

===Eastern Orthodoxy===
[[File:GreekOrthodoxBaptism1.jpg|thumb|An Orthodox baptism]]

In Eastern Orthodoxy, baptism is considered a sacrament and mystery which transforms the old and sinful person into a new and pure one, where the old life, the sins, any mistakes made are gone and a clean slate is given. In [[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek]] and [[Russian Orthodox]] traditions, it is taught that through Baptism a person is united to the [[Body of Christ]] by becoming an official member of the Orthodox Church. During the service, the Orthodox priest blesses the [[Holy water in Eastern Christianity|water]] to be used. The catechumen (the one baptised) is fully immersed in the water three times in the name of the Trinity. This is considered to be a death of the "old man" by participation in the crucifixion and burial of Christ, and a rebirth into new life in Christ by participation in his resurrection.<ref name=Ware1993>{{Cite book |last= Ware |first=Kallistos |author-link=Timothy Ware |title=The Orthodox Church |publisher= Penguin Books | location =New York |year=1993 |pages=277–278 |isbn=0-14-014656-3 |oclc=263544700}}</ref>{{rp|pp=277–278}} Properly a new name is given, which becomes the person's name.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

Babies of Orthodox families are normally baptized shortly after birth. Older converts to Orthodoxy are usually formally baptized into the Orthodox Church, though exceptions are sometimes made. Those who choose to convert from a different religion to Eastern Orthodoxy typically undergo [[Chrismation]], known as confirmation in the Roman Catholic Church.<ref>{{cite web |title=Christmations |url=https://stjohntpa.org/chrismations/ |website=St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church |access-date=27 October 2022}}</ref>

Properly and generally, the Mystery of Baptism is administered by bishops and other priests; however, in emergencies any Orthodox Christian can baptize.<ref name=Ware1993/>{{rp|p=278}} In such cases, should the person survive the emergency, it is likely that the person will be properly baptized by a priest at some later date. This is not considered to be a second baptism, nor is it imagined that the person is not already Orthodox, but rather it is a fulfillment of the proper form.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

The service of baptism in [[Greek Orthodox]] (and other Eastern Orthodox) churches has remained largely unchanged for over 1500 years. This fact is witnessed to by [[Cyril of Jerusalem]] (d. 386), who, in his ''Discourse on the Sacrament of Baptism'', describes the service in much the same way as is currently in use.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Saint Cyril Bishop of Jerusalem |title=St. Cyril of Jerusalem's lectures on the Christian sacraments: the Procatechesis and the five mystagogical Catecheses |publisher=St. Vladimir's Seminary Press |others=F. L. Cross |year=c. 1986 |isbn=0-913836-39-7 |location=Crestwood, NY |oclc=13498176}}</ref>

===Other groups===

====Jehovah's Witnesses====
[[Jehovah's Witnesses]] believe that baptism should be performed by complete immersion (submersion) in water and only when an individual is old enough to understand its significance. They believe that water baptism is an outward symbol that a person has made an unconditional dedication through Jesus Christ to do the will of God. Only after baptism, is a person considered a full-fledged Witness, and an official member of the Christian Congregation. They consider baptism to constitute ordination as a [[Christian minister|minister]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Company |first=Johnson Publishing |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xbEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22jehovah's+witnesses%22&pg=PA26 |title=Jet |date=1955-08-04 |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |pages=26 |language=en}}</ref>

Prospective candidates for baptism must express their desire to be baptized well in advance of a planned baptismal event, to allow for congregation [[Elder (Christianity)#Jehovah's Witnesses|elders]] to assess their suitability (regarding true repentance and conversion).<ref>''Organized to Do Jehovah's Will'', published by Jehovah's Witnesses, page 182.</ref> Elders approve candidates for baptism if the candidates are considered to understand what is expected of members of the religion and to demonstrate sincere dedication to the faith.<ref>''Organized to Do Jehovah's Will'', published by Jehovah's Witnesses, page 217–218.</ref>

Most baptisms among Jehovah's Witnesses are performed at scheduled assemblies and conventions by elders and ministerial servants, in special pools, or sometimes oceans, rivers, or lakes, depending on circumstances,<ref>''The Watchtower'', May 15, 1970, p. 309.</ref><ref>"The General Priesthood Today", ''The Watchtower'', March 1, 1963, page 147</ref><ref>''Organized to Do Jehovah's Will'', published by Jehovah's Witnesses, page 215, "Baptisms are usually performed at assemblies and conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses."</ref> and rarely occur at local [[Kingdom Hall]]s.<ref name=autogenerated1>"Questions From Readers", ''The Watchtower'', August 1, 1973, p. 480</ref> Prior to baptism, at the conclusion of a pre-baptism talk, candidates must affirm two questions:<ref>Watchtower June 1, 1985</ref>
{{blockquote|
# On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
# Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?}}

Only baptized males (elders or ministerial servants) may baptize new members. Baptizers and candidates wear swimsuits or other informal clothing for baptism, but are directed to avoid clothing that is considered undignified or too revealing.<ref name="autogenerated1999">""God's Prophetic Word" District Conventions", ''Our Kingdom Ministry'', May 1999, page 4</ref><ref>"Questions From Readers", ''The Watchtower'', April 15, 1973, page 254–255</ref><ref>"Question Box", ''Our Kingdom Ministry'', June 1993, page 3</ref> Generally, candidates are individually immersed by a single baptizer,<ref name="autogenerated1999"/> unless a candidate has special circumstances such as a physical [[disability]].<ref name="The Watchtower 1986, page 31">"Questions From Readers", ''The Watchtower'', November 15, 1986, page 31</ref> In circumstances of extended isolation, a qualified candidate's dedication and stated intention to become baptized may serve to identify him as a member of Jehovah's Witnesses, even if immersion itself must be delayed.<ref>"Questions From Readers", ''The Watchtower'', August 1, 1973, pages 479–480</ref> In rare instances, unbaptized males who had stated such an intention have reciprocally baptized each other, with both baptisms accepted as valid.<ref name=":0">"Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands", ''1987 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses'', page 71</ref> Individuals who had been baptized in the 1930s and 1940s by female Witnesses due to extenuating circumstances, such as in concentration camps, were later re-baptized but still recognized their original baptism dates.<ref name="autogenerated480" />

====Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints====
[[File:Mormon baptism circa 1850s.png|thumb|right|upright=0.8|A Mormon baptism, circa the 1850s]]
{{Main|Baptism in Mormonism}}

In [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church), baptism is recognized as the first of several [[Ordinance (Latter Day Saints)|ordinances]] (rituals) of the [[gospel]].<ref>{{cite journal |first=Bruce D. |last=Porter |author-link=Bruce D. Porter |date=October 2000 |title=The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/10/the-first-principles-and-ordinances-of-the-gospel |access-date=March 24, 2009 |journal=[[Ensign (LDS magazine)|Ensign]]}}</ref> In [[Mormonism]], baptism has the main purpose of remitting the [[sin]]s of the participant. It is followed by [[Confirmation (Latter Day Saints)|confirmation]], which inducts the person into membership in the church and constitutes a [[baptism with the Holy Spirit]]. Latter-day Saints believe that baptism must be by full immersion, and by a precise ritualized ordinance: if some part of the participant is not fully immersed, or the ordinance was not recited verbatim, the ritual must be repeated.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/duties-and-blessings-of-the-priesthood-basic-manual-for-priesthood-holders-part-b/priesthood-and-church-government/lesson-5-performing-priesthood-ordinances?lang=eng |title= Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part B |chapter= Performing Priesthood Ordinances § Baptism |year= 2000 |pages= 41–48 |publisher= LDS Church }}</ref> It typically occurs in a [[baptismal font]].{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

In addition, members of the LDS Church do not believe a baptism is valid unless it is performed by a Latter-day Saint one who has proper authority (a [[Priest (Latter Day Saints)|priest]] or [[Elder (Latter Day Saints)|elder]]).<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/baptism-baptize?lang=eng |title= Guide to the Scriptures: Baptism, Baptize § Proper authority |website= churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher= LDS Church }}</ref> Authority is passed down through a form of [[apostolic succession]]. All new converts to the faith must be baptized or [[rebaptism (Mormonism)|re-baptized]]. Baptism is seen as symbolic both of Jesus' death, burial and [[Resurrection of Jesus|resurrection]]<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/baptism?lang=eng |title= Baptism |work= [[LDS edition of the Bible|KJV (LDS)]]: [[Bible Dictionary (LDS Church)|Bible Dictionary]] |publisher= LDS Church |year= 1979 }}</ref> and is also symbolic of the baptized individual discarding their "natural" self and donning a new identity as a disciple of Jesus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints |title=Baptism |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/article/baptism |website=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints}}</ref>

According to Latter-day Saint theology, [[faith]] and [[repentance]] are prerequisites to baptism. The ritual does not cleanse the participant of [[original sin]], as Latter-day Saints do not believe the doctrine of original sin. Mormonism rejects [[infant baptism]]<ref>[[Book of Mormon]], {{Mormonverse|Moroni|8:4-23}}</ref><ref name="EoM Infant Baptism">{{citation |last= Parsons |first= Robert E. |contribution= Infant Baptism: LDS Perspective |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/3795 |page= 682 |editor1-last= Ludlow |editor1-first= Daniel H |editor1-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishing]] |year= 1992 |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism }}</ref> and baptism must occur after the [[age of accountability]], defined in Latter-day Saint scripture as eight years old.<ref>{{Mormonverse|D&C|68:25-27}}</ref><ref name="EoM Accountability">{{citation |last= Warner |first= C. Terry |author-link= C. Terry Warner |contribution= Accountability |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5446 |page= 13 |editor1-last= Ludlow |editor1-first= Daniel H |editor1-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishing]] |year= 1992 |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism }}</ref>

Latter-day Saint theology also teaches [[baptism for the dead]] in which deceased ancestors are baptized vicariously by the living, and believe that their practice is what Paul wrote of in Corinthians 15:29. This occurs in [[Temple (Latter Day Saints)|Latter-day Saint temples]].<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/baptisms-for-the-dead?lang=eng |title= Gospel Topics: Baptisms for the Dead |website= churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher= LDS Church }}</ref><ref name="EoM Baptism for the dead">{{citation |last= Burton |first= H. David |author-link= H. David Burton |contribution= Baptism for the dead: LDS Practice |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5502 |pages= 95–97 |editor1-last= Ludlow |editor1-first= Daniel H |editor1-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishing]] |year= 1992 |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism }}</ref>

==== Freemasonry ====
Due to tensions between the Roman Catholic Church and Freemasons in France in the aftermath of the [[French Revolution]], French Freemasons developed rituals to replace those of the Church, including baptism. Chrétien-Guillaume Riebesthal's ''Rituel Maçonnique pour tous les Rites'' (Masonic Ritual for All Rites),<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sUJfAAAAcAAJ |title=Rituel maçonnique pour tous les rites |date=1827 |language=fr}}</ref> published in Strasbourg in 1826, includes one such baptismal rite.[https://journals.ku.edu/ygas/article/view/20050/18019] Lodges in Louisiana and Wisconsin performed baptism ceremonies in 1859, though they were widely condemned by their [[Grand Lodge]]s.

In 1865, [[Albert Pike]], publicly performed a ceremony of Masonic baptism in New York City. The ceremony was greeted with skepticism by many American Masons including [[Albert Mackey]]. A ceremony for Masonic baptism was published by Charles T. McClenechan in 1884.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AASR - 1884 - Ceremony of Baptism in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite |url=http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/AASR_1884_/ceremony_of_baptism.htm |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=www.phoenixmasonry.org}}</ref>