Baptism

===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}}