Baptism

===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>