Baptism

====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>