Baptism

==Meaning and effects==
[[File:Baptême Cathédrale de Troyes 290308.jpg|thumb|Baptism of [[Augustine of Hippo]] as represented in a sculptural group in [[Troyes]] cathedral (1549)]]
There are differences in views about the effect of baptism for a Christian. Catholics, Orthodox, and most mainline Protestant groups assert baptism is a requirement for salvation and a [[sacrament]], and speak of "[[baptismal regeneration]]".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baptismal Regeneration and Bible Salvation - Doctrine - Wholesome Words |url=https://www.wholesomewords.org/etexts/costellad/baptregen.html |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=www.wholesomewords.org}}</ref> Its importance is related to their interpretation of the meaning of the "Mystical Body of Christ" as found in the New Testament.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Traill |first=Dr Ian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2DUaCAAAQBAJ&dq=the+importance+of+baptism+is+related+to+their+interpretation+of+the+meaning+of+the+%22Mystical+Body+of+Christ%22+as+found+in+the+New+Testament&pg=PA39 |title=Ten Christian Foundational Studies for new converts - Teachers book: Teacher's book for Discipleship program one |publisher=Traillblazer Bookshop |isbn=978-1-921978-34-0 |language=en}}</ref> This view is shared by the [[Catholic]] and [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox]] denominations, and by churches formed early during the [[Protestant Reformation]] such as [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] and [[Anglicanism|Anglican]].{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} For example, [[Martin Luther]] said:

{{Blockquote|To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save. No one is baptized in order to become a prince, but as the words say, to "be saved". To be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and live with him forever.|''[[Luther's Large Catechism]]'', 1529}}

The [[Churches of Christ]],"<ref name= "Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|66}}<ref name= "Theology Matters" />{{rp|112}} [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], [[Christadelphians]], and [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] espouse baptism as necessary for salvation.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

For Roman Catholics, baptism by water is a sacrament of initiation into the life of the children of God (''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'', 1212–13). It configures the person to Christ (CCC 1272), and obliges the Christian to share in the church's apostolic and missionary activity (CCC 1270). The Catholic holds that there are three types of baptism by which one can be saved: sacramental baptism (with water), [[baptism of desire]] (explicit or implicit desire to be part of the church founded by Jesus Christ), and [[baptism of blood]] ([[martyrdom]]). In his encyclical ''[[Mystici corporis Christi]]'' of June 29, 1943, [[Pope Pius XII]] spoke of baptism and profession of the true faith as what makes members of the one true church, which is the body of Jesus Christ himself, as God the Holy Spirit has taught through the Apostle Paul:
{{Blockquote|
:'''18'''...Through the waters of Baptism those who are born into this world dead in sin are not only born again and made members of the Church, but being stamped with a spiritual seal they become able and fit to receive the other Sacraments. ...
:'''22''' Actually only those are to be included as members of the Church who have been baptized and profess the true faith, and who have not been so unfortunate as to separate themselves from the unity of the Body, or been excluded by legitimate authority for grave faults committed. 'For in one spirit' says the Apostle, 'were we all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free.' As therefore in the true Christian community there is only one Body, one Spirit, one Lord, and one Baptism, so there can be only one faith. And therefore if a man refuse to hear the Church let him be considered—so the Lord commands—as a heathen and a publican. It follows that those who are divided in faith or government cannot be living in the unity of such a Body, nor can they be living the life of its one Divine Spirit. |''Mystici corporis Christi''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/ENCYC/P12MYSTI.HTM|title=''Mystici corporis Christi'' (full text in an English translation)|access-date=September 9, 2010|archive-date=July 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701120153/http://www.ewtn.com/library/ENCYC/P12MYSTI.HTM|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

By contrast, [[Anabaptist]] and [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] Protestants recognize baptism as an outward sign of an inward reality following on an individual believer's experience of forgiving grace. [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] and [[Methodist]] Protestants maintain a link between baptism and regeneration, but insist that it is not automatic or mechanical, and that regeneration may occur at a different time than baptism.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Faith of the Christian Church|last=Inbody|first=Tyron|year=2005|url= |publisher=William B. Eerdmans|location=Grand Rapids, MI|page=299|isbn= }}{{ISBN?}}</ref> [[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|p.66}} Thus, they see baptism as 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">Harold Hazelip, Gary Holloway, Randall J. Harris, Mark C. Black, ''Theology Matters: In Honor of Harold Hazelip: Answers for the Church Today'', College Press, 1998, {{ISBN|978-0-89900-813-4}}, 368 pages</ref>{{rp|p.112}}

===Christian traditions===
[[File:BaptismalFontStRaphaelDubuque.jpg|thumb|left|The baptistry at [[St. Raphael's Cathedral (Dubuque)|St. Raphael's Cathedral]], [[Dubuque, Iowa|Dubuque]], Iowa, includes a small pool for immersion of adults and an eight-sided font symbolizing the "eighth" day of Christ's Resurrection.]]

The [[Christian liturgy|liturgy]] of baptism for [[Catholics]], [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox]], [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]], [[Anglicanism|Anglican]], and [[Methodism|Methodist]] makes clear reference to baptism as not only a symbolic burial and resurrection, but an actual supernatural transformation, one that draws parallels to the experience of [[Noah]] and the passage of the [[Israelites]] through the [[Red Sea]] divided by [[Moses]]. Thus, baptism is literally and symbolically not only cleansing, but also dying and rising again with Christ. Catholics believe baptism is necessary to cleanse the taint of [[original sin]], and so commonly baptise infants.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Erickson |first=Millard J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=To8QBgAAQBAJ&dq=Catholics+believe+baptism+is+necessary+to+cleanse+the+taint+of+original+sin%2C+and+so+commonly+baptise+infants.&pg=PT551 |title=Introducing Christian Doctrine |date=2015-08-11 |publisher=Baker Academic |isbn=978-1-4412-2254-1 |language=en}}</ref>

The Eastern Churches ([[Eastern Orthodox Church]] and [[Oriental Orthodoxy]]) also baptize infants on the basis of texts, such as Matthew 19:14, which are interpreted as supporting full church membership for children. In these denominations, baptism is immediately followed by [[Chrismation]] and [[Eucharist|Communion]] at the next [[Divine Liturgy]], regardless of age. Orthodox likewise believe that baptism removes what they call the ancestral sin of Adam.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nicodemos the Hagiorite |title=Concerning Thoughts |work=Exomologetarion |url=http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/exo_thoughts.aspx|author-link=Nicodemos the Hagiorite }}</ref> Anglicans believe that baptism is also the entry into the church. Most Methodists and Anglicans agree that it also cleanses the taint of what in the West is called original sin, in the East ancestral sin.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
[[File:Baptism Jar (Portuguese period).JPG|thumb|upright|Baptism Jar, used in [[Portuguese Ceylon]].]]
Eastern Orthodox Christians usually insist on complete threefold immersion as both a symbol of death and rebirth into Christ, and as a washing away of sin. [[Latin Church]] Catholics generally baptize by affusion (pouring); Eastern Catholics usually by submersion, or at least partial immersion. However, submersion is gaining in popularity within the Latin Catholic Church. In newer church sanctuaries, the baptismal font may be designed to expressly allow for baptism by immersion.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Overbeck |first1=T. Jerome |title=Ancient Fonts, Modern Lessons |date=1998 |publisher=Liturgy Training Publications |isbn=978-1-56854-091-7 |page=18 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0cf2o6srEsC&pg=PA18 |language=en |quote=New baptismal fonts, therefore, should be constructed to allow for the immersion of infants, at least, ...}}</ref> Anglicans baptize by immersion or affusion.<ref name="auto3">{{cite web |title=Holy Baptism |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/christian-initiation/holy-baptism-accessible-language/holy-baptism |publisher=The Church of England}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite web |title=Baptism |url=https://episcopalchurch.org/baptism |publisher=Episcopal Church}}</ref>

According to evidence which can be traced back to about the year 200,<ref>{{Cite book|author=Tertullian |editor=[[Philip Schaff]] |title=Ante-Nicene Fathers |chapter=Of the Persons to Whom, and the Time When, Baptism is to Be Administered |chapter-url=http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf03.vi.iii.xviii.html|author-link=Tertullian |title-link=Ante-Nicene Fathers (book) }}</ref> sponsors or [[godparent]]s are present at baptism and vow to uphold the Christian education and life of the baptized.<ref name="Paulist Press">{{Cite book |last1=Beal |first1=John P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6YCpraE-7xcC&dq=sponsors+or+godparents+are+present+at+baptism+since+year+200&pg=PA1060 |title=New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law |last2=Coriden |first2=James A. |last3=Green |first3=Thomas Joseph |date=2000 |publisher=Paulist Press |isbn=978-0-8091-0502-1 |language=en}}</ref>

Baptists argue that the Greek word {{lang|grc|βαπτίζω}} originally meant "to immerse". They interpret some Biblical passages concerning baptism as requiring submersion of the body in water.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Judd |first=Willard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qa8OAAAAIAAJ&dq=%CE%B2%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%84%CE%AF%CE%B6%CF%89+originally+meant+%22to+immerse%22.+They+interpret+some+Biblical+passages+concerning+baptism+as+requiring+submersion+of+the+body+in+water.&pg=PA393 |title=The Memoirs and Remains of Rev. Willard Judd: Embracing a Review of Professor Stuart, a Compilation of Miscellanies, and a Biographical Sketch, by Orrin B. Judd, with an Introductory Essay, by Spencer H. Cone |date=1845 |publisher=Lewis Colby |language=en}}</ref> They also state that only submersion reflects the symbolic significance of being "buried" and "raised" with Christ.<ref>{{bibleverse|Romans|6:3–4}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2021}} Baptist Churches baptize in the name of the [[Trinity]]—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. However, they do not believe that baptism is necessary for salvation; but rather that it is an act of Christian obedience.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kennedy |first1=Rodney Wallace |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GUBNAwAAQBAJ&dq=Baptist+Churches++do+not+believe+that+baptism+is+necessary+for+salvation%3B+but+rather+that+it+is+an+act+of+Christian+obedience&pg=PA115 |title=Gathering Together: Baptists at Work in Worship |last2=Hatch |first2=Derek C. |date=2013-08-27 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-61097-758-6 |language=en}}</ref>

Some "[[Full Gospel]]" [[Charismatic Christianity|charismatic]] churches such as [[Oneness Pentecostal]]s baptize only in the name of Jesus Christ, citing Peter's preaching baptism in the name of Jesus as their authority.<ref name="bibleref2c|Acts|2:38"/>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2021}}

===Ecumenical statements===
In 1982 the [[World Council of Churches]] published the [[Christian ecumenism|ecumenical]] paper ''[[Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry]]''. The preface of the document states:

{{blockquote|Those who know how widely the churches have differed in doctrine and practice on baptism, Eucharist and ministry, will appreciate the importance of the large measure of agreement registered here. Virtually all the confessional traditions are included in the Commission's membership. That theologians of such widely different denominations should be able to speak so harmoniously about baptism, Eucharist and ministry is unprecedented in the modern ecumenical movement. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the Commission also includes among its full members theologians of the Catholic and other churches which do not belong to the World Council of Churches itself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-commissions/faith-and-order-commission/i-unity-the-church-and-its-mission/baptism-eucharist-and-ministry-faith-and-order-paper-no-111-the-lima-text/baptism-eucharist-and-ministry.html#c10471 |title=Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry—Faith and Order Paper No. 111 |publisher=[[World Council of Churches]] |year=1982 |access-date=March 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709031256/http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-commissions/faith-and-order-commission/i-unity-the-church-and-its-mission/baptism-eucharist-and-ministry-faith-and-order-paper-no-111-the-lima-text/baptism-eucharist-and-ministry.html |archive-date=July 9, 2008 }}</ref>|author=[[World Council of Churches]]|title=Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry—Faith and Order Paper No. 111|source=1982}}

A 1997 document, ''Becoming a Christian: The Ecumenical Implications of Our Common Baptism'', gave the views of a commission of experts brought together under the aegis of the World Council of Churches. It states:<ref name="Paulist Press"/>

{{Blockquote|...according to Acts 2:38, baptisms follow from Peter's preaching baptism in the name of Jesus and lead those baptized to the receiving of Christ's Spirit, the Holy Ghost, and life in the community: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers"<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|2:42|RSV}}</ref> as well as to the distribution of goods to those in need.<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|2:45}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2021}}}}

Those who heard, who were baptized and entered the community's life, were already made witnesses of and partakers in the promises of God for the last days: the forgiveness of sins through baptism in the name of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on all flesh.<ref name="bibleref2c|Acts|2:38">{{bibleverse|Acts|2:38}}</ref> Similarly, in what may well be a baptismal pattern, [[First Epistle of Peter|1 Peter]] testifies that proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and teaching about new life<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Peter|1:3–21}}</ref> lead to purification and new birth.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Peter|1:22–23}}</ref> This, in turn, is followed by eating and drinking [[Holy Communion|God's food]],<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Peter|2:2–3}}</ref> by participation in the life of the community—the royal priesthood, the new temple, the people of God<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Peter|2:4–10}}</ref>—and by further moral formation.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Peter|2:11ff}}</ref> At the beginning of 1 Peter the writer sets this baptism in the context of obedience to Christ and sanctification by the Spirit.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Peter|1:2}}</ref> So baptism into Christ is seen as baptism into the Spirit.<ref name="bibleverse|1 Corinthians|12:13">{{bibleverse|1 Corinthians|12:13}}</ref> In the fourth gospel Jesus' discourse with [[Nicodemus]] indicates that birth by water and Spirit becomes the gracious means of entry into the place where God rules.<ref name="bibleverse|John|3:5"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?id=2672 |title=Becoming a Christian: The Ecumenical Implications of Our Common Baptism |publisher=[[World Council of Churches]] |year=1997 |access-date=May 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509161956/http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?id=2672 |archive-date=May 9, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

===Validity considerations by some churches===
[[File:Окрещённый ребёнок.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Russian Orthodox]] priest greeting an infant and its godparents on the steps of the church at the beginning of the [[Sacred Mystery]] of Baptism.]]

The vast majority of Christian denominations admit the theological idea that baptism is a [[sacrament]], that has actual spiritual, holy and salvific effects. Certain key criteria must be complied with for it to be valid, i.e., to actually have those effects. If these key criteria are met, violation of some rules regarding baptism, such as varying the authorized rite for the ceremony, renders the baptism illicit (contrary to the church's laws) but still valid.<ref>{{Cite book|title=An Ecumenical Proposal About The Sacraments|last=Bruno|first=Luciano|year=2015|pages=16–17}}</ref>

One of the criteria for validity is use of the correct form of words. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the use of the verb "to baptize" is essential.<ref name="cathen" /> Catholics of the [[Latin Church]], Anglicans and Methodists use the form "I baptize you in the name of...". The [[passive voice]] is used by [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Byzantine Rite|Byzantine]] [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Catholic]]s, the form being "The Servant of God is baptized in the name of...".<ref name="GBN-1">{{Cite book |year=1998 |publication-date=2000 |title=The Great Book of Needs: Expanded and Supplemented (Volume 1): The Holy Mysteries |translator=Saint Tikhon's Monastery |pages=37 |place=[[South Canaan Township, Pennsylvania|South Canaan, Pennsylvania]] |publisher=[[Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary|Saint Tikhon's Seminary Press]] |isbn=9781878997562 |url=https://stmpress.com/collections/service-books-1/products/the-great-book-of-needs-volume-1 }}</ref>

Use of the [[Trinitarian formula]] ("in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit") is also considered essential; thus these churches do not accept as valid baptisms of non-[[Trinitarianism|Trinitarian]] churches such as [[Oneness Pentecostals]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wilks |first=John |date=2013-04-30 |title=The New Evangelical Subordinationism? Perspectives on the Equality of God the Father and God the Son Dennis Jowers and H. Wayne House (eds.) Eugene: Pickwick, 2012. 464pp. pb. $51, ISBN 978-1-60899-852-4 |journal=Evangelical Quarterly |volume=85 |issue=2 |pages=164–165 |doi=10.1163/27725472-08502010 |issn=0014-3367}}</ref>

Another essential condition is use of water. A baptism in which some liquid that would not usually be called water, such as wine, milk, soup or fruit juice was used would not be considered valid.<ref name=Fanning/>

Another requirement is that the celebrant intends to perform baptism. This requirement entails merely the intention "to do what the Church does",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a1.htm |title=Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1256 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> not necessarily to have Christian faith, since it is not the person baptizing, but the Holy Spirit working through the sacrament, who produces the effects of the sacrament. Doubt about the faith of the baptizer is thus no ground for doubt about the validity of the baptism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/DOCTRINE/INTENTIO.TXT |title=On the Intention Required in the Minister of the Sacraments |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-date=January 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130195101/http://www.ewtn.com/library/DOCTRINE/INTENTIO.TXT }}</ref>

Some conditions expressly do not affect validity—for example, whether submersion, immersion, affusion (pouring) or aspersion (sprinkling) is used.<ref name="Peters2001"/> However, if water is sprinkled, there is a danger that the water may not touch the skin of the unbaptized. As has been stated, "it is not sufficient for the water to merely touch the candidate; it must also flow, otherwise there would seem to be no real ablution. At best, such a baptism would be considered doubtful. If the water touches only the hair, the sacrament has probably been validly conferred, though in practice the safer course must be followed. If only the clothes of the person have received the aspersion, the baptism is undoubtedly void."<ref name=Fanning>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm |title=William Fanning, "Baptism" in ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' (New York 1907) |publisher=Newadvent.org |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> For many communions, validity is not affected if a single submersion or pouring is performed rather than a triple, but in Orthodoxy this is controversial.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

According to the Catholic Church, baptism imparts an [[sacramental character|indelible "seal"]] upon the soul of the baptized and therefore a person who has already been baptized cannot be validly baptized again. This teaching was affirmed against the [[Donatist]]s who practiced rebaptism. The grace received in baptism is believed to operate ''ex opere operato'' and is therefore considered valid even if administered in heretical or schismatic groups.<ref name="ODWR">{{Cite book|first=John |last=Bowker |author-link=John Bowker (theologian) |title=The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=[[Oxford]] |year=1999 |isbn=0-19-866242-4 |oclc=60181672|title-link=Oxford Dictionary of World Religions }}{{Page needed|date=August 2010}}</ref>

===Recognition by other denominations===
The [[Catholic]], [[Lutheran]], [[Anglican]], [[Presbyterian]] and [[Methodist]] Churches accept baptism performed by other denominations within this group as valid, subject to certain conditions, including the use of the Trinitarian formula.<ref>{{cite web |title=Baptisms mutually recognized in European and American churches |url=https://www.oikoumene.org/news/baptisms-mutually-recognized-in-european-and-american-churches |publisher=[[World Council of Churches]] |access-date=29 March 2021 |language=English |date=17 April 2014}}</ref> It is only possible to be baptized once, thus people with valid baptisms from other denominations may not be baptized again upon conversion or transfer. For Roman Catholics, this is affirmed in the Canon Law 864,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P2X.HTM|title=Code of Canon Law - IntraText|date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112010826/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P2X.HTM|archive-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref> in which it is written that "[e]very person not yet baptized and only such a person is capable of baptism."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P2X.HTM|title=Code of Canon Law – IntraText|website=www.vatican.va|access-date=2018-04-19}}</ref> Such people are accepted upon making a profession of faith and, if they have not yet validly received the sacrament/rite of confirmation or chrismation, by being confirmed. Specifically, "Methodist theologians argued that since God never abrogated a covenant made and sealed with proper intentionality, rebaptism was never an option, unless the original baptism had been defective by not having been made in the name of the Trinity."<ref name="CracknellWhite2005">{{cite book|last1=Cracknell|first1=Kenneth|last2=White|first2=Susan J.|title=An Introduction to World Methodism|year= 2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|language=en|isbn=978-0521818490|page=193}}</ref> In some cases it can be difficult to decide if the original baptism was in fact valid; if there is doubt, [[conditional baptism]] is administered, with a formula on the lines of "If you are not yet baptized, I baptize you...."<ref name="Jr2014">{{cite book|last=Yrigoyen|first=Charles Jr.|title=T&T Clark Companion to Methodism|year=2014|publisher=A&C Black|language=en|isbn=978-0567290779|page=263|quote=Methodists historically do not rebaptize unless the ecumenical formula was not used or another major impediment calls into question the adequacy of an earlier rite. When questions arise of a very grievous nature, there is the possibility of conditional baptism using the words 'If you are not already baptized, I baptize you in the name, etc.'}}</ref><ref>[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2W.HTM Code of Canon Law, canon 869]; cf. [https://books.google.com/books?id=JKgZEjvB5cEC New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law By John P. Beal, James A. Coriden, Thomas J.], pp. 1057–1059.</ref>

The Catholic Church ordinarily recognizes as valid the baptisms of Christians of the Eastern Orthodox, Churches of Christ, Congregationalist, Anglican, Lutheran, Old Catholic, Polish National Catholic, Reformed, Baptist, Brethren, Methodist, Presbyterian, Waldensian, and United Protestant denominations; Christians of these traditions are received into the Catholic Church through the sacrament of [[Confirmation]].<ref name="Davenport">{{cite web |title=Churches with Valid, Doubtful and Invalid |url=https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/13543/documents/2016/4/Churches%20with%20Valid%20Doubtful%20Invalid%20Baptisms.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/13543/documents/2016/4/Churches%20with%20Valid%20Doubtful%20Invalid%20Baptisms.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport]] |access-date=25 March 2021 |language=English}}</ref> Some individuals of the Mennonite, Pentecostal and Adventist traditions who wish to be received into the Catholic Church may be required to receive a [[conditional baptism]] due to concerns about the validity of the sacraments in those traditions.<ref name="Davenport"/> The Catholic Church has explicitly denied the validity of the baptism conferred in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20010605_battesimo_mormoni_en.html |title=Response of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith |publisher=Vatican.va |date=June 5, 2001 |access-date=February 25, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090223230027/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20010605_battesimo_mormoni_en.html| archive-date= February 23, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

The [[Reformed Church]]es recognize as valid, baptisms administered in the [[Catholic Church]], among other churches using the [[Trinitarian formula]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Catholics, Reformed Christians Publicly Sign Historic Agreement To Recognize Each Other's Baptisms |url=https://www.usccb.org/news/2013/catholics-reformed-christians-publicly-sign-historic-agreement-recognize-each-others |publisher=[[USCCB]] |access-date=29 March 2021 |language=English |date=1 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Baptism: FAQ, Liturgies, and Certificates |url=https://www.rca.org/about/worship/baptism/ |publisher=[[Reformed Church in America]] |access-date=29 March 2021 |language=English}}</ref>

Practice in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] for converts from other communions is not uniform. However, generally baptisms performed in the name of the Holy Trinity are accepted by the Orthodox Christian Church; Christians of the Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Old Catholic, Moravian, Anglican, Methodist, Reformed, Presbyterian, Brethren, Assemblies of God, or Baptist traditions can be received into the Eastern Orthodox Church through the sacrament of [[Chrismation]].<ref name="Isaiah2000">{{cite web |author=Metropolitan Isaiah |title=Protocols 2000 |url=http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/encyclicals/goarch/isaiah/isaiah_protocols_2000.htm |publisher=Orthodox Research Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127075030/http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/encyclicals/goarch/isaiah/isaiah_protocols_2000.htm |archive-date=2010-11-27 |language=English |date=9 May 2000}}</ref> If a convert has not received the sacrament (mysterion) of baptism, he or she must be baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity before they may enter into communion with the Orthodox Church. If he/she has been baptized in another Christian confession (other than Orthodox Christianity) his/her previous baptism is considered retroactively filled with grace by [[chrismation]] or, in rare circumstances, [[confession of faith]] alone as long as the baptism was done in the name of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The exact procedure is dependent on local [[canon law|canons]] and is the subject of some controversy.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}

[[Oriental Orthodox Church]]es recognise the validity of baptisms performed within the Eastern Orthodox Communion. Some also recognise baptisms performed by Catholic Churches. Any supposed baptism not performed using the Trinitarian formula is considered invalid.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/invalid-baptisms.html|title=Invalid Baptisms|first=William|last=Saunders|access-date=2018-09-12|language=en-gb|archive-date=September 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912204606/https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/invalid-baptisms.html}}</ref>

In the eyes of the Catholic Church, all Orthodox Churches, Anglican and Lutheran Churches, the baptism conferred by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is invalid.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Response on the validity of baptism conferred by Â"mormonsÂ" |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20010605_battesimo_mormoni_en.html |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.vatican.va}}</ref> An article published together with the official declaration to that effect gave reasons for that judgment, summed up in the following words: "The Baptism of the Catholic Church and that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differ essentially, both for what concerns faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in whose name Baptism is conferred, and for what concerns the relationship to Christ who instituted it."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology/MORMBAP1.HTM |title= The Question Of The Validity Of Baptism Conferred In The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints |publisher= Ewtn.com |date= August 1, 2001 |access-date= October 27, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090116055451/http://www.ewtn.com/library/theology/mormbap1.htm |archive-date= January 16, 2009 }}</ref>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stresses that baptism must be administered by one having proper authority; consequently, the church does not recognize the baptism of any other church as effective.<ref name = ldsbaptism>{{citation |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/baptism |title= Gospel Topics: Baptism |website= churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher= The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints }}</ref>

Jehovah's Witnesses do not recognise any other baptism occurring after 1914<ref>"Questions From Readers", ''The Watchtower'', May 1, 1959, p. 288, "Thus, when Christ was enthroned as King A.D. 1914 it was not necessary for all true Christians to be rebaptized in recognition of his ruling position."</ref> as valid,<ref>"Jehovah's Witnesses Endure for His Sovereign Godship", ''The Watchtower'', September 15, 1966, p. 560, "In the decades of restoration since 1919, right-hearted clergymen of various religious sects in different parts of the earth have repentantly accepted the priesthood services of the anointed remnant of Job-like ones by becoming rebaptized and ordained as true ministers of Jehovah."</ref> as they believe that they are now the one true church of Christ,<ref>"True Christianity Is Flourishing", ''The Watchtower'', March 1, 2004, p. 7 [http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2004161 As retrieved November 3, 2014]</ref> and that the rest of "Christendom" is false religion.<ref>''Jehovah's Witnesses— Proclaimers of God's Kingdom'', publ Jehovah's Witnesses, "Chapter 31: How Chosen and Led by God", p. 706, "Clearly, when the time of the end began in 1914, none of the churches of Christendom were measuring up to these Bible standards for the one true Christian congregation. What, though, about the Bible Students, as Jehovah's Witnesses were then known?"</ref>

===Officiant===

There is debate among Christian churches as to who can administer baptism. Some claim that the examples given in the New Testament only show apostles and deacons administering baptism.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} Ancient Christian churches interpret this as indicating that baptism should be performed by the clergy except ''in extremis'', i.e., [[emergency baptism|when the one being baptized is in immediate danger of death]].{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Then anyone may baptize, provided, in the view of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the person who does the baptizing is a member of that church, or, in the view of the Catholic Church, that the person, even if not baptized, intends to do what the church does in administering the rite.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Many Protestant churches see no specific prohibition in the biblical examples and permit any believer to baptize another.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

In the Roman Catholic Church, [[canon law]] for the [[Latin Church]] lays down that the ordinary minister of baptism is a bishop, priest or deacon,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2V.HTM |title=canon 861 §1 |publisher=Intratext.com |date=May 4, 2007 |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> but its administration is one of the functions "especially entrusted to the [[priest|parish priest]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P1T.HTM#18G |title=canon 530 |publisher=Intratext.com |date=May 4, 2007 |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> If the person to be baptized is at least fourteen years old, that person's baptism is to be referred to the bishop, so that he can decide whether to confer the baptism himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2V.HTM |title=canon 863 |publisher=Intratext.com |date=May 4, 2007 |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> If no ordinary minister is available, a [[catechist]] or some other person whom the local [[Ordinary (officer)|ordinary]] has appointed for this purpose may licitly do the baptism; indeed in a case of necessity ''any'' person (irrespective of that person's religion) who has the requisite intention may confer the baptism<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2V.HTM |title=canon 861 §2 |publisher=Intratext.com |date=May 4, 2007 |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> By "a case of necessity" is meant imminent danger of death because of either illness or an external threat. "The requisite intention" is, at the minimum level, the intention "to do what the Church does" through the rite of baptism.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

In the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]], a deacon is not considered an ordinary minister. Administration of the sacrament is reserved to the parish priest or to another priest to whom he or the local [[ordinary (officer)|hierarch]] grants permission, a permission that can be presumed if in accordance with canon law. However, "in case of necessity, baptism can be administered by a deacon or, in his absence or if he is impeded, by another cleric, a member of an institute of consecrated life, or by any other Christian faithful; even by the mother or father, if another person is not available who knows how to baptize."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/__PIT.HTM |title=Canon 677 |work=[[Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches]] |year=1990 |access-date=February 26, 2009}}</ref>

The discipline of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[Oriental Orthodoxy]] and the [[Assyrian Church of the East]] is similar to that of the Eastern Catholic Churches. They require the baptizer, even in cases of necessity, to be of their own faith, on the grounds that a person cannot convey what he himself does not possess, in this case membership in the church.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ware |first=Kallistos |author-link=Timothy Ware |year=1964 |title=The Orthodox Church |page=285 |location=New York City |publisher=[[Penguin Books]]}}</ref> The Latin Catholic Church does not insist on this condition, considering that the effect of the sacrament, such as membership of the church, is not produced by the person who baptizes, but by the Holy Spirit. For the Orthodox, while Baptism ''in extremis'' may be administered by a deacon or any lay-person, if the newly baptized person survives, a priest must still perform the other prayers of the Rite of Baptism, and administer the [[Sacred Mysteries|Mystery]] of [[Chrismation]].{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

The discipline of [[Anglicanism]] and [[Lutheranism]] is similar to that of the Latin Catholic Church. For [[Methodists]] and many other Protestant denominations, the ordinary minister of baptism is an ordained or appointed minister.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

Newer movements of Protestant [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] churches, particularly non-denominational, allow laypeople to baptize.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, only a man who has been ordained to the [[Aaronic priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Aaronic priesthood]] holding the priesthood office of [[Priest (Mormonism)|priest]] or higher office in the [[Melchizedek priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Melchizedek priesthood]] may administer baptism.<ref name= "churchofjesuschrist.org">{{cite book |chapter= Priesthood § Aaronic Priesthood |chapter-url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/priesthood-and-auxiliary-leaders-guidebook/priesthood?lang=eng |title= Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders' Guidebook |publisher= The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |year= 2001 |pages= 4–10 |quote= Brethren who hold the Aaronic Priesthood have authority to perform certain priesthood ordinances. Priests may perform baptisms… |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/priesthood-and-auxiliary-leaders-guidebook/priesthood }}</ref>

A [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] baptism is performed by a "dedicated male" adherent.<ref name= "autogenerated480">"Questions From Readers", ''The Watchtower'', August 1, 1973, page 480, "In connection with baptism, it may also be noted that a baptism may be performed by a dedicated male even though no other human witnesses are present."</ref><ref>"The General Priesthood Today", ''The Watchtower'', March 1, 1963, page 147, "Because he is a minister, any competent male member is called on to perform funerals, baptisms and weddings, and to conduct the service in annual commemoration of the Lord's death."</ref> Only in extraordinary circumstances would a "dedicated" baptizer be unbaptized (see section ''[[#Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah's Witnesses]]'').<ref name=":0" />