Baptism

====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" />