Baptism

==Comparative summary==
<!-- This section is linked from [[Anglicanism]]-->
A comparative summary of the practice of baptism throughout various Christian denominations is given below.<ref>''Good News''. Issue 3. St Louis, MO. 2003. pp 18–19</ref>{{Verify source|date=March 2009}}<ref name="39articles">{{cite web|url=http://anglicansonline.org/basics/thirty-nine_articles.html |title=The Thirty-Nine Articles |publisher=Anglicans Online |date=April 15, 2007 |access-date=February 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224055615/http://anglicansonline.org/basics/thirty-nine_articles.html |archive-date=February 24, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp |title=The Baptist Faith & Message |publisher=[[Southern Baptist Convention]] |date=June 14, 2000 |access-date=February 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303000119/http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp |archive-date=March 3, 2009 }}</ref> (This section does not give a complete listing of denominations, and therefore, it only mentions a fraction of the churches practicing "believer's baptism".)

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:92%;"
|-
! Denomination
! class=unsortable|Beliefs about baptism
! Type of baptism
! Baptize infants?
! Baptism regenerates / gives spiritual life
! Standard
|-
| [[Anabaptist]]
| Baptism is considered by the majority of Anabaptist Churches (anabaptist means to baptize again) to be essential to Christian faith but not to salvation. It is considered to be an [[Ordinance (Christian)|ordinance]].<ref>By Alter in "Why Baptist?" pp. 52–58.</ref>
| Traditionally by pouring or sprinkling, since the 18th century also immersion and submersion.
| No
| No. Faith in Christ is believed to precede and follow baptism.
| Trinity
|-
| [[Anglicanism]]
| "Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened, but it is also a sign of Regeneration or New-Birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of the forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed; Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God."<ref name="39articles" />
| Immersion or pouring.<ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto2"/>
| Yes
| Yes
| Trinity
|-
| [[Baptists]]
| A divine ordinance, a symbolic ritual, a mechanism for publicly declaring one's faith, and a sign of having already been saved, but not necessary for salvation.
| Submersion only
| No
| No
| Trinity
|-
| [[Church of the Brethren|Brethren]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/Church-Of-The-Brethren/a/The-Brethren-Beliefs.htm |title=The Brethren – Beliefs and Practices Of The Church of The Brethren |publisher=Christianity.about.com |date=April 7, 2014 |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412224206/http://christianity.about.com/od/Church-Of-The-Brethren/a/The-Brethren-Beliefs.htm }}</ref>
| Baptism is an ordinance performed upon adults in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a commitment to live Christ's teachings responsibly and joyfully.
| Immersion only
| No
| Yes
| Trinity
|-
| [[Calvary Chapel]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/Calvary-Chapel/a/Calvary-Chapel-Beliefs.htm |title=Calvary Chapel Beliefs – What Do Calvary Chapels Believe and Teach |publisher=Christianity.about.com |date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412225210/http://christianity.about.com/od/Calvary-Chapel/a/Calvary-Chapel-Beliefs.htm }}</ref>
| Baptism is disregarded as necessary for salvation but instead recognizes as an outward sign of an inward change
| Immersion only
| No
| No
| Trinity
|-
| [[Christadelphians]]
| Baptism is essential for the salvation of a believer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Baptism |url=http://thechristadelphians.org/htm/pamphletz/p0004m.htm |access-date=August 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012223117/http://thechristadelphians.org/htm/pamphletz/p0004m.htm |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=March 2009}} It is only effective if somebody believes the true gospel message before they are baptized.<ref>{{cite web|title=Baptism |work=Bible Q & A |year=2001 |url=http://www.christadelphia.org/pamphlet/p_bibleqa.htm#20 |access-date=August 22, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927013541/http://www.christadelphia.org/pamphlet/p_bibleqa.htm| archive-date= September 27, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=March 2009}} Baptism is an external symbol of an internal change in the believer: it represents a death to an old, sinful way of life, and the start of a new life as a Christian, summed up as the repentance of the believer—it therefore leads to forgiveness from God, who forgives people who repent.<ref>{{cite web|last=Levin |first=David |title=Forgiveness |url=http://www.god-so-loved-the-world.org/english/levin_forgiveness.htm |access-date=August 22, 2007}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=March 2009}} Although someone is only baptized once, a believer must live by the principles of their baptism (i.e., death to sin, and a new life following Jesus) throughout their life.<ref>{{cite web|last=Norris |first=Alfred |title=His Cross and Yours |date=November 12, 2006 |url=http://www.god-so-loved-the-world.org/english/norris_hiscrossandyours.htm |access-date=August 22, 2007}}</ref>
| Submersion only<ref name="morgan">{{Cite book|last=Morgan |first=Tecwyn |chapter=What Exactly is Christian Baptism? |chapter-url=http://www.god-so-loved-the-world.org/english/morgan_utb14_what_exactly_is_christian_baptism.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.god-so-loved-the-world.org/english/morgan_utb14_what_exactly_is_christian_baptism.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Understand the Bible for Yourself |publisher=Christadelphian Bible Mission |year=2006 |access-date=February 26, 2009}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=March 2009}}
| No<ref name="morgan" />
| Yes
| Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (although Christadelphians do not believe in the Nicean trinity)
|-
| [[Churches of Christ]]
| Baptism is the remissions for sins, it washes away sins and gives spiritual life; it is a symbolization through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.<ref>{{cite web|author=Todd |url=http://seekingthelostradio.net/article.php?story=whatchurchesofChristbelieveaboutbaptism |title=What the Church of Christ Believes About Baptism&nbsp;— Seeking The Lost –International Radio |publisher=Seekingthelostradio.net |date=March 11, 2012 |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> 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" />{{rp|p.61}}
| Immersion only<ref name="Perfect Stranger" />{{rp|p.107}}<ref name="Rhodes 2005" />{{rp|p.124}}<ref name="Who Are the churches of Christ" />
| No<ref name="Rhodes 2005" />{{rp|p.124}}<ref name="Who Are the churches of Christ" /><ref name="Howard 1971" />{{rp|p.318–319}}<ref name="Ferguson 1996" />{{rp|p.195}}
| Yes; 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" /> 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|p.133}}<ref name="Foster" /><ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Regeneration" />{{rp|p.630,631}} Baptism is understood as a confessional expression of faith and repentance,<ref name="Ferguson 1996" />{{rp|p.179–182}} rather than a "work" that earns salvation.<ref name="Ferguson 1996" />{{rp|p.170}}
| Trinity
|-
| [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]
| An ordinance essential to enter the Celestial Kingdom of Heaven and preparatory for receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
| Immersion, performed by a person holding proper priesthood authority.<ref name = ldsbaptism/>
| No (at least eight years old)
| Yes
| Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost (the LDS Church does not teach a belief in the [[nicean creed|Nicean]] [[trinity]], but rather a belief in the [[Godhead (Latter Day Saints)|Godhead]])<ref>For a more thorough Latter-day Saint explanation of the Godhead with scripture references, see: {{citation |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/god-godhead |title= Guide to the Scriptures: God, Godhead |website= churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher= LDS Church }}</ref>
|-
|[[Christian and Missionary Alliance|Christian Missionary Alliance]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmalliance.org/about/beliefs/perspectives/baptism|title=Baptism|publisher=cmalliance.org|access-date=March 9, 2016|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170127/http://www.cmalliance.org/about/beliefs/perspectives/baptism}}</ref>
| Water baptism identifies a person as a disciple of Christ and celebrates the passage from an old life into a new life in Christ. Simply stated, it is an outward sign of an inward change.
| Immersion
| No
| No
| Trinity
|-
| [[Community Church movement|Community Churches]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.willowcreek.org/southbarrington/go-deeper/baptism-a-communion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927022844/http://www.willowcreek.org/southbarrington/go-deeper/baptism-a-communion |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |title=Baptism & Communion – Willow Creek Community Church |publisher=Willowcreek.org |access-date=April 13, 2014 }}</ref>
| Not necessary for salvation but rather is a sign as a Christ's followers. It is an act of obedience to Christ that follows one's acceptance of salvation by God's grace. Baptism is a symbolization of cleansing of the spirit through God's divine forgiveness and a new life through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
| Immersion only
| No
| Yes
| Trinity
|-
| [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)|Disciples of Christ]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/Disciples-Of-Christ/a/Disciples-Of-Christ-Beliefs.htm |title=Disciples of Christ – Distinctive Beliefs and Practices of the Disciples of Christ |publisher=Christianity.about.com |date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412225555/http://christianity.about.com/od/Disciples-Of-Christ/a/Disciples-Of-Christ-Beliefs.htm }}</ref>
| Baptism is a symbolization of [[Christ]]'s death, burial, and resurrection. It also signifies new birth, cleansing from sin, individual's response to God's grace, and acceptance into the faith community.
| Mostly immersion; others pouring. Most Disciples believe that [[believer's baptism]] and the practice of immersion were used in the [[New Testament]].
| No
| Yes
| Trinity
|-
| [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/easternorthodoxy/a/orthodoxbeliefs.htm |title=Eastern Orthodox Church – Beliefs and Practices of the Eastern Orthodox Denomination |publisher=Christianity.about.com |date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412222546/http://christianity.about.com/od/easternorthodoxy/a/orthodoxbeliefs.htm }}</ref>
| Baptism is the initiator the salvation experience and for the remissions of sins and is the actual supernatural transformation
| Immersion
| Yes
| Yes
| Trinity
|-
| [[Evangelical Free Church]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsite3299.web07.intellisite.com/363937.ihtml |title=Evangelical Free Church – Site Map |publisher=Newsite3299.web07.intellisite.com |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325191223/http://newsite3299.web07.intellisite.com/363937.ihtml |archive-date=March 25, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| An outward expression of an individual's inward faith to God's grace.
| Submersion only
| No
| No
| Trinity
|-
| [[Foursquare Gospel Church]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/Foursquare-Church/a/Foursquare-Gospel-Church-Beliefs-And-Practices.htm |title=Foursquare Gospel Church – Learn the Beliefs of the Foursquare Gospel Church |publisher=Christianity.about.com |date=April 7, 2014 |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412224731/http://christianity.about.com/od/Foursquare-Church/a/Foursquare-Gospel-Church-Beliefs-And-Practices.htm }}</ref>
| Baptism is required as a public commitment to Christ's role as Redeemer and King
| Immersion only
| No
| Yes
| Trinity
|-
| [[Grace Communion International]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gci.org/aboutus/beliefs |title=The GCI Statement of Beliefs &#124; Grace Communion International |publisher=Gci.org |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref>
| Baptism proclaims the good news that Christ has made everyone his own and that it is only Him that everybody's new life of faith and obedience merges.
| Immersion only
| No
| Yes
| Trinity
|-
| [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]
| Baptism is necessary for salvation as part of the entire baptismal arrangement: as an expression of obedience to Jesus' command (Matthew 28:19–20), as a public symbol of the saving faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10), and as an indication of repentance from dead works and the dedication of one's life to Jehovah. (1 Peter 2:21) However, baptism does not guarantee salvation.<ref>''Worship the Only True God'', published by Jehovah's Witnesses (2002, 2006), "Chapter 12: The Meaning of Your Baptism", p. 118, "It would be a mistake to conclude that baptism is in itself a guarantee of salvation. It has value only if a person has truly dedicated himself to Jehovah through Jesus Christ and thereafter carries out God's will, being faithful to the end."</ref>
| Submersion only; typical candidates are baptized at district and circuit conventions.<ref>"Questions From Readers", ''The Watchtower'', May 1, 1979, p. 31, "The Bible shows that baptism by complete immersion is very important. So even when unusual steps are necessary because of a person's condition, he should be baptized if at all possible. ...In modern times Jehovah's Witnesses have arranged for baptisms at conventions. [However], fully valid baptisms have even been performed locally in large home bathtubs. ...Of course, it might be that in some extreme case baptism would seem absolutely impossible for the time being. Then we trust that our merciful heavenly Father will understand".</ref>
| No
| No
| In the name of the Father (Jehovah), the Son (Jesus Christ) and the holy spirit. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the trinity<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/trinity/ |title = Is the Trinity Doctrine in the Bible? &#124; Bible Questions}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/is-jesus-almighty/ | title=Is Jesus Almighty God? &#124; Bible Questions}}</ref> but view Jehovah as Sovereign God Almighty;<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/who-is-jehovah/ | title=Who is Jehovah? &#124; Bible Questions}}</ref> Jesus as God's firstborn only-begotten son, second only to Jehovah himself in authority, who now reigns as the anointed king of God's Messianic Kingdom;<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20110301/who-is-jesus-christ/ |title = Who is Jesus Christ? &#124; Learn from God's Word}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-is-gods-kingdom/ | title=What is the Kingdom of God? &#124; Bible Questions}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20131201/about-the-return-of-christ/#?insight |title = The Return of Christ: What Happens? What Will Jesus Do? &#124; Bible Questions Answered}}</ref> and the holy spirit as God's active force or the force by which God causes things to happen.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-is-the-holy-spirit/#?insight | title=What is the Holy Spirit? &#124; Bible Questions}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]]
| The entry [[Lutheran sacraments|sacrament]] into the church by which a person receives forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation.<ref>{{cite book|last=Luther|first=Martin|title=Luther's Small Catechism|chapter-url=http://www.cph.org/images/topics/pdf/smallcatechism/holy-baptism.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.cph.org/images/topics/pdf/smallcatechism/holy-baptism.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|edition=1986|year=1529|publisher=Concordia Publishing House|chapter=The Sacrament of Holy Baptism}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/The-Basics/Glossary-of-Terms.aspx#B |title=Glossary of Terms: Baptism |work=Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |access-date=December 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101072454/http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/The-Basics/Glossary-of-Terms.aspx |archive-date=November 1, 2012 }}</ref><ref name=LCMS>{{cite web|url=http://lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=1086|title=What About Holy Baptism?|work=Lutheran Church––Missouri Synod|access-date=December 2, 2012|archive-date=March 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301191508/http://lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=1086}}</ref>
| Sprinkling, pouring, or immersion<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Learning-Center/FAQs/HolyBaptism_What-is-a-baptismal-remembrance_Sprinkling-with-water.aspx |title=What is a baptismal remembrance – sprinkling with water? |work=Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |access-date=December 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027054320/http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Learning-Center/FAQs/HolyBaptism_What-is-a-baptismal-remembrance_Sprinkling-with-water.aspx |archive-date=October 27, 2012 }}</ref>
| Yes<ref name="LCMS" />
| Yes<ref name="LCMS" />
| Trinity
|-
| [[Methodism|Methodists]] and [[Wesleyan]]s
| The sacrament of initiation into Christ's holy church whereby one is incorporated into the [[covenant of grace]] and given new birth through water and the spirit. Baptism washes away sin and clothes one in the righteousness of Christ. It is a visible sign and seal of inward [[Regeneration (theology)|regeneration]].<ref name="Crowther1815">{{cite book|last=Crowther|first=Jonathan|title=A Portraiture of Methodism: Or, The History of the Wesleyan Methodists|year=1815|publisher=T. Blanshard|language=en|pages=224, 228|quote=They believe baptism to be an ordinance appointed by Christ; not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible church, also to be to him a sign or emblem of regeneration, and of his presenting himself to God, through Jesus Christ, to ''walk in newness of life''. It is also a covenant of grace, and by Christ's own appointment, is to continue in the church to the end of the world.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/AME/a/AMEC-Beliefs.htm |title=AMEC – Beliefs and Practices of the AMEC (African Methodist Episcopal Church) |publisher=Christianity.about.com |date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412221456/http://christianity.about.com/od/AME/a/AMEC-Beliefs.htm }}</ref>
| Sprinkling, pouring, or immersion<ref name="By Water and the Spirit – Method">{{cite web|url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=4&mid=992| title = By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism|publisher = [[The United Methodist Church]]|quote= In United Methodist churches, the water of baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion.|access-date =August 2, 2007}}</ref>
| Yes<ref name="Henry Wheeler, D.D. – Baptism of Infants in Methodism">{{Cite book|url = https://archive.org/details/historyandexpos00wheegoog|quote = infant.| title = History and Exposition of the Twenty-five Articles of Religion of the Methodist Episcopal Church|publisher =Eaton & Mains|pages=[https://archive.org/details/historyandexpos00wheegoog/page/n310 295]–312|access-date =August 2, 2007|year = 1908}}</ref>
| Yes, although contingent upon [[Repentance (theology)|repentance]] and a [[Born again (Christianity)|personal acceptance]] of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]] as Saviour.<ref name="FMC2008"/><ref name="UMC – By Water and the Spirit">{{cite web|url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=4&mid=992| title = By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism|publisher = [[The United Methodist Church]]|quote= John Wesley retained the sacramental theology which he received from his Anglican heritage. He taught that in baptism a child was cleansed of the guilt of original sin, initiated into the covenant with God, admitted into the church, made an heir of the divine kingdom, and spiritually born anew. He said that while baptism was neither essential to nor sufficient for salvation, it was the "ordinary means" that God designated for applying the benefits of the work of Christ in human lives. On the other hand, although he affirmed the regenerating grace of infant baptism, he also insisted upon the necessity of adult conversion for those who have fallen from grace. A person who matures into moral accountability must respond to God's grace in repentance and faith. Without personal decision and commitment to Christ, the baptismal gift is rendered ineffective. <br /> ''Baptism as Forgiveness of Sin''. In baptism God offers and we accept the forgiveness of our sin (Acts 2:38). With the pardoning of sin which has separated us from God, we are justified—freed from the guilt and penalty of sin and restored to right relationship with God. This reconciliation is made possible through the atonement of Christ and made real in our lives by the work of the Holy Spirit. We respond by confessing and repenting of our sin, and affirming our faith that Jesus Christ has accomplished all that is necessary for our salvation. Faith is the necessary condition for justification; in baptism, that faith is professed. God's forgiveness makes possible the renewal of our spiritual lives and our becoming new beings in Christ.<br /> ''Baptism as New Life''. Baptism is the sacramental sign of new life through and in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Variously identified as regeneration, new birth, and being born again, this work of grace makes us into new spiritual creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). We die to our old nature which was dominated by sin and enter into the very life of Christ who transforms us. Baptism is the means of entry into new life in Christ (John 3:5; Titus 3:5), but new birth may not always coincide with the moment of the administration of water or the laying on of hands. Our awareness and acceptance of our redemption by Christ and new life in him may vary throughout our lives. But, in whatever way the reality of the new birth is experienced, it carries out the promises God made to us in our baptism.|access-date =August 2, 2007}}</ref><ref name="By Water and the Spirit – Personal Faith">{{cite web|url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=4&mid=992| title = By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism|publisher = [[The United Methodist Church]]|quote= The United Methodist Church does not accept either the idea that only believer's baptism is valid or the notion that the baptism of infants magically imparts salvation apart from active personal faith.|access-date =August 2, 2007}}</ref>
| Trinity
|-
| [[Metropolitan Community Church]]
| Baptism is conducted in the order of worship.
| Sprinkling, pouring, or immersion
| Yes
| Yes
| Trinity
|-
| [[Moravian Church]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/Moravian/a/Moravian-Beliefs.htm |title=Moravian Church Beliefs Are Solidly Based On The Bible |publisher=Christianity.about.com |date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412222436/http://christianity.about.com/od/Moravian/a/Moravian-Beliefs.htm }}</ref>
| The individual receives the pledge of the forgiveness of sins and admission through God's covenant through the blood of Jesus Christ
| Sprinkling, pouring, or immersion
| Yes
| Yes
| Trinity
|-
| [[Church of the Nazarene|Nazarenes]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/Nazarene-Church/a/Nazarene-Beliefs.htm |title=Nazarene – Distinctive Beliefs and Practices of the Church of the Nazarene |publisher=Christianity.about.com |date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412222800/http://christianity.about.com/od/Nazarene-Church/a/Nazarene-Beliefs.htm }}</ref>
| Baptism signifies the acceptance of Christ Jesus as Saviour and are willingly to obey him righteously and in holiness.
| Sprinkling, pouring, or immersion
| Yes
| Yes
| Trinity
|-
| [[Oneness Pentecostalism|Oneness Pentecostals]]
| Necessary for salvation because it conveys spiritual rebirth.<ref name="Bernard">{{cite book |last1=Bernard |first1=David |title=The New Birth |date=1984 |publisher=Word Aflame Press |location=Hazelwood, MO |isbn=9780912315775}}</ref> Being baptized is an ordinance directed and established by Jesus and the Apostles.<ref name="upci.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.upci.org/doctrine/baptism.asp |publisher=United Pentecostal Church International| website=UPCI|access-date=14 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712033102/http://www.upci.org/doctrine/baptism.asp |archive-date=12 July 2015 |title=Baptism}}</ref>
| Submersion. Also stress the necessity of a baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 8:14–17, 35–38).<ref name="upci.org"/>
| No
| Yes
| Jesus<ref name="Bernard" />
|-
| [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals (Trinitarian)]]{{efn|[[Assemblies of God]], [[Church of God of Prophecy]], and [[Church of God in Christ]]}}
| Water Baptism is an ordinance, a symbolic ritual used to witness to having accepted Christ as personal Savior.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}}
| Submersion. Also stress the necessity of a "second" Baptism of a special outpouring from the Holy Spirit.<ref>[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Statement_of_Fundamental_Truths/sft_full.cfm Fundamental Truths (Full Statement)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025103149/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Statement_of_Fundamental_Truths/sft_full.cfm |date=October 25, 2010 }}. Ag.org (March 1, 2010). Retrieved on August 14, 2010.</ref>
| No
| Varies
| Trinity
|-
| [[Reformed baptismal theology|Reformed]] (includes [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] churches)
| A sacrament and means of grace. A sign and a seal of the remission of sins, regeneration, admission into the visible church, and the covenant of grace. It is an outward sign of an inward grace.<ref name="WCF28">{{Cite book |last=Assembly |first=Westminster |url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Westminster_Confession_of_Faith |title=Westminster Confession of Faith}}</ref>
| Sprinkling, pouring, immersion or submersion<ref name="WCF28" />
| Yes
| Yes, the outward means by which the Holy Spirit inwardly accomplishes regeneration and remission of sins<ref>{{Cite book|title = Theologie reformierter Bekenntnisschriften|last = Rohls|first = Jan|publisher = [[Westminster John Knox Press]]|year = 1998|isbn = 0-664-22078-9|location = Louisville, Kentucky|pages = 211|language = de|trans-title = Reformed Confessions: Theology from Zurich to Barmen|others = Translated by John Hoffmeyer}}</ref>
| Trinity
|-
| [[Quakers]] (Religious Society of Friends)
| Only an external symbol that is no longer to be practiced<ref name="John Wilhelm Rowntree 1902">John Wilhelm Rowntree, 1902, Quaker Faith and Practice, Fourth Edition ch 27.37</ref>
| – (none): do not believe in Baptism of water, but only in an inward, ongoing purification of the human spirit in a life of discipline led by the Holy Spirit.<ref name="John Wilhelm Rowntree 1902"/>
| –
| –
| –
|-
|[[Catholic Church|Catholic Church <small>(Eastern and Western Rites)</small>]]
| Necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed. Though ''God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments. (CCC 1257).'' It erases the original and all personal sins. The sanctifying grace, the grace of justification is given by God through baptism.<ref name="vatican" />
| Usually by pouring in the West, by submersion or immersion in the East; sprinkling admitted only if the water then flows on the head.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/catholicforreaso00hahn |url-access=registration |first1=Scott |last1=Hahn |first2=Leon J. |last2=Suprenant |title=Catholic for a Reason: Scripture and the Mystery of the Family of God |publisher=Emmaus Road Publishing |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-9663223-0-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/catholicforreaso00hahn/page/135 135]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7uO9JPD17jwC |first=Paul |last=Haffner |title=The Sacramental Mystery |publisher=Gracewing Publishing |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-85244-476-4 |page=36}}</ref>
| Yes
| Yes, as explained in the ''Catechism of the Catholic Church''(CCC 1265) 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",<sup>(2 Cor 5:17; 2 Pet 1:4; cf. Gal 4:5-7),</sup>member of Christ and co-heir with him,<sup>(Cf. 1 Cor 6:15; 12:27; Rom 8:17),</sup> and a temple of the Holy Spirit <sup>(Cf. 1 Cor 6:19).</sup>
| Trinity
|-
| [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventists]]
| Not stated as the prerequisite to salvation, but a prerequisite for becoming a member of the church, although nonmembers are still accepted in the church. It symbolizes death to sin and new birth in Jesus Christ.<ref name="Seventh-day Adventist Minister's Handbook 1997">Seventh-day Adventist Minister's Handbook, ed. Ministerial Association, The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (Silver Spring, Maryland, 1997), 199.</ref> "It affirms joining the family of God and sets one apart for a life of ministry."<ref name="Seventh-day Adventist Minister's Handbook 1997" />
| Immersion<ref>Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual: Revised 2015 and Updated 2016 19th Edition, ed. The Secretariat of General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (Hagerstown, Maryland: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2016), p.44</ref>
| No
| No
| Trinity
|-
| [[United Church of Christ]] ([[Evangelical and Reformed Church]]es and the [[Congregational church|Congregational Christian Churches]])
| One of two sacraments. Baptism is an outward sign of God's inward grace. It may or may not be necessary for membership in a local congregation. However, it is a common practice for both infants and adults.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Baptism |url=https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/justice-local-church-ministries/local-church/mesa-ministerial-excellence-support-and-authorization/ministers/ministers_local-church-leaders/worship_baptism/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=United Church of Christ |language=en-US}}</ref>
| Sprinkling, pouring, immersion or submersion.
| Yes
| No
| Trinity
|-
| [[United Church of God]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucg.org/fundamental-beliefs-info/ |title=Fundamental Beliefs &#124; United Church of God |publisher=Ucg.org |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref>
| Through the laying on hands with prayer, the baptized believer receives the [[Holy Spirit]] and becomes a part of the spiritual body of Jesus Christ.
| Immersion only
| No
| No
| Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (although members of the United Church of God doctrinally believe in Binitarianism believing that the Holy Spirit is a power of God and Jesus Christ rather than a separate person)
|-
| [[Association of Vineyard Churches|Vineyard Churches]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thevineyardchurch.us/connect/kingdom/baptism/ |title=Welcome to The Vineyard Church |publisher=Thevineyardchurch.us |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526060521/http://www.thevineyardchurch.us/connect/kingdom/baptism/ |archive-date=May 26, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| A public expression of faith for a person who has committed to follow Jesus. It also symbolizes a person's cleansing of sin and gives a person a chance to openly profess their faith in front of the church, friends, and family.
| Immersion only
| No (at least six years old)
| Yes
| Trinity
|-
|}