Baptism Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! {{Short description|Christian rite of initiation into membership}} {{hatnote group| {{hatnote|This article is about the rite.}} {{Redirect-multi|2|Baptized|Baptizing|the denomination|Baptists|all other uses|Baptism (disambiguation)|and|Baptist (disambiguation)}} }} {{Multiple issues| {{religious text primary|date=February 2021}} {{more citations needed|date=February 2021}} }} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}} [[File:Battesimo dei neofiti 2.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Masaccio]], ''{{Interlanguage link|Baptism of the Neophytes|it|3=Battesimo dei neofiti}}'', 1425–1426 ([[Brancacci Chapel]], [[Florence]]). This painting depicts baptism by [[affusion]]. The artist may have chosen an archaic form for this depiction of baptism by [[St. Peter]].]] {{Christianity |theology}} {{Mandaeism}} '''Baptism''' (from {{lang-grc-x-koine|βάπτισμα|váptisma|immersion, dipping in water}})<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |entry-url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/baptize#etymonline_v_282 |entry=baptize (v.) |dictionary=[[Online Etymology Dictionary]] |publisher=Douglas Harper of the [[LNP Media Group]] |access-date=2023-03-24 }}</ref> is a [[Christians|Christian]] [[sacrament]] of [[initiation]] almost invariably with the use of water.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |entry-url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/52311/Baptism |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |entry=Baptism}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lumen gentium |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.vatican.va |page=28}}</ref> It may be performed by [[aspersion|sprinkling]] or [[affusion|pouring]] water on the head, or by [[immersion baptism|immersing in water]] either partially or completely, traditionally three times, once for each person of the [[Trinity]].<ref name="McKim2014"/><ref name="Hale2012">{{cite book |last1=Hale |first1=Tom |last2=Thorson |first2=Steve |title=Applied New Testament Bible Commentary |date=10 December 2012 |publisher=David C. Cook |isbn=978-1-4347-6642-7 |language=English |quote=There are three main methods of baptism: immersion, sprinkling, and pouring. In most churches sprinkling or pouring of water on the head of the recipient is practiced. If infants are baptized, sprinkling or pouring is usually used, although infant immersion has been practiced in the past. For adults, all three methods have been used. Very ill adults or those in unfavorable habitats of the world, such as deserts and ice-locked lands, usually do not receive baptism by immersion. However, in one place or another, all three methods have been practiced since the days of the early church.}}</ref><ref name="Classical2012">{{cite web |title=On Triple Immersion Baptism |url=https://classicalchristianity.com/2012/02/22/on-triple-immersion-baptism/ |publisher=Classical Christianity |access-date=7 September 2021 |language=English |date=22 February 2012}}</ref> The [[synoptic gospel]]s recount that [[John the Baptist]] [[baptism of Jesus|baptised Jesus]].<ref name=":1">{{bibleverse|Matthew|3:16}}, {{bibleverse|Mark|1:9–10}}, {{bibleverse|Luke|3:21}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last= Powell |first= Mark Allen |title= Jesus as a figure in history: how modern historians view the man from Galilee |url= https://archive.org/details/jesusasfigurehis00powe |url-access= limited |year= 2005 |publisher= Knox |location= Louisville |isbn= 0-664-25703-8 |page= [https://archive.org/details/jesusasfigurehis00powe/page/n76 47] |edition= 7th pr.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last= Harrington|first= Daniel J. |title= The Gospel of Matthew|year= 1991|publisher = Liturgical Press|location= Collegeville, MI |isbn= 0-8146-5803-2|page= 63}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last= Lopez |first = Kathryn Muller Lopez |display-authors=etal | title= Christianity: a biblical, historical, and theological guide for students |year= 2010|publisher= Mercer University Press|location= Macon, GA |isbn= 978-0-88146-204-3|pages= 95–96|edition = 1st}}</ref> Baptism is considered a [[sacrament]] in most churches, and as an [[ordinance (Christian)|ordinance]] in others. Baptism according to the [[Trinitarian formula]], which is done in most [[mainstream Christian]] denominations, is seen as being a basis for [[Christian ecumenism]], the concept of unity amongst Christians.<ref name="Pizzey2019">{{cite book |last1=Pizzey |first1=Antonia |title=Receptive Ecumenism and the Renewal of the Ecumenical Movement: The Path of Ecclesial Conversion |year=2019 |publisher=[[Brill Academic Publishers]] |isbn=978-90-04-39780-4 |page=131 |language=en |quote=Baptism into Christ unites all Christians, despite ther divisions. It is relationship with Christ through baptism, which enables relationship with other Christians. According to Congar, "on the basis of the baptism which incorporates us into Christ and the Word which is our Christian norm, [ecumenism's] aim is to carry out the will and the prayer of Christ, which is that his disciples should be united." The Christological foundation of Spiritual Ecumenism affirms that ecumenism is not our idea or goal, but rather Christ's will and prayer for us. Moreover, Christian unity already exists to some extent among all baptised Christians because of their relationship with Christ. Only through Christ is ecumenism possible. Kasper explains that Spiritual Ecumenism's fundamental Christological basis means that any ecumenical spirituality "will also be a sacramental spirituality." Baptism is "therefore a basic element of ecumenical spirituality."}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Becoming a Christian: The Ecumenical Implications of Our Common Baptism |url=https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/commissions/faith-and-order/ii-worship-and-baptism/becoming-a-christian-the-ecumenical-implications-of-our-common-baptism |publisher=[[World Council of Churches]] |access-date=13 September 2020 |language=en |date=24 January 1997}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Karttunen |first=Tomi |date=2023-06-27 |title=Towards Unity in Baptism: Exploring the Current State and Future Possibilities of Ecumenical Recognition |url=https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/kt/article/view/20036 |journal=Khazanah Theologia |language=en |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=109–118 |doi=10.15575/kt.v5i2.20036 |issn=2715-9701|doi-access=free }}</ref> Baptism is also called '''christening''',<ref>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=_-cAG52iDQgC&q=christening+baptism+christian&pg=PA23 | first = Rita | last = Faelli | title = Christianity: History, Beliefs, Worship and Celebrations | publisher = Blake Education | year = 2006 | page = 23| isbn = 9781741641011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/lifeevents/baptismconfirm/baptism1.html#difference | title = Church of England: Weddings, Baptisms & Funerals | publisher = Anglican}}</ref> although some reserve the word "christening" for the [[Infant baptism|baptism of infants]].<ref>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=aJ2JGNBZhu4C&q=christening+baptism+christian&pg=RA1-PR14 | first = Pat | last = Wootten | title = Christianity | publisher = Heinemann | year = 2002 | page = xiv | isbn = 978-0435336349 }}</ref> In certain Christian denominations, such as the Catholic Churches, Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Assyrian Church of the East, and [[Lutheran Church]]es, baptism is the door to [[church membership]], with candidates taking [[baptismal vows]].<ref name="Hammett2019">{{cite book |last1=Hammett |first1=John S. |title=Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology |year= 2019 |publisher=Kregel Academic |isbn=978-0-8254-4511-8 |page=64 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Haithcox1881">{{cite book |last1=Haithcox |first1=H. C. |title=The Church, Visible and Invisible |date=1881 |work=The Lutheran Quarterly |publisher=H. C. Neinstedt |volume=XI |page=503 |language=English}}</ref> It has also given its name to the [[Baptists|Baptist churches and denominations]]. Certain schools of Christian thought (such as Catholic and Lutheran theology) regards baptism as necessary for [[salvation]], but some writers, such as [[Huldrych Zwingli]] (1484–1531), have denied its necessity.<ref name="cross2005baptism">{{Cite book|first= Frank Leslie |last= Cross | author-link = Frank Leslie Cross |author2= Elizabeth A. Livingstone |chapter= Baptism |title= The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church |publisher= [[Oxford University Press]] |location= [[Oxford]] |year= 2005 |pages= 151–154 |isbn = 0-19-280290-9 | oclc= 58998735}}</ref> Though water baptism is extremely common among Christian denominations, some, such as [[Quakers]] and [[The Salvation Army]], do not practice water baptism at all.<ref>{{Cite book | publisher = Wipf and Stock Publishers | isbn = 978-1-62032-809-5 | last = Cross | first = Anthony R. | title = Recovering the Evangelical Sacrament: Baptisma Semper Reformandum | year = 2012}}</ref> Among denominations that practice baptism, differences occur in the manner and mode of baptizing and in the understanding of the significance of the rite. Most Christians baptize using the trinitarian formula "in the name of the [[God the Father|Father]], and of the [[God the Son|Son]], and of the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]]"<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/TextContents/Index/4/SubIndex/67/TextIndex/7 | title = Rite for the Baptism of One Child | publisher = Catholic liturghy | access-date = May 21, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180727085030/http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/TextContents/Index/4/SubIndex/67/TextIndex/7 | archive-date = July 27, 2018 }}</ref> (following the [[Great Commission]]), but [[Oneness Pentecostal]]s baptize using [[Baptism in the name of Jesus|Jesus' name only]].<ref>{{cite book |author1=[[Paul F. Bradshaw]] |title=New SCM Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship |date=24 April 2013 |publisher=Hymns Ancient and Modern |isbn=978-0-334-04932-6 |page=51 |language=English}}</ref> The majority of Christians [[infant baptism|baptize infants]];{{Efn|{{As of|2010}}, out of a total of about 2,100,000,000 Christians, infant baptism is in use in the Catholic Church (1,100,000,000), the Eastern Orthodox Church (225,000,000), most of the 77,000,000 members of the Anglicanism, Lutherans, and others.}} many others, such as [[Baptist Church]]es, regard only [[believer's baptism]] as true baptism.<ref name="Vandiver2021">{{cite book |last1=Vandiver |first1=Dallas W. |title=Who Can Take the Lord's Supper?: A Biblical-Theological Argument for Close Communion |date=10 September 2021 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-6667-0313-9 |page=289 |language=English}}</ref> In certain denominations, such as the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern]] and [[Oriental Orthodox Churches|Oriental]] Orthodox Churches, the individual being baptized receives a [[cross necklace]] that is worn for the rest of their life, inspired by the [[Third Council of Constantinople|Sixth Ecumenical Council (Synod) of Constantinople]].<ref name="Samaan2010">{{cite web |last1=Samaan |first1=Moses |title=Who wears the Cross and when? |url=https://www.lacopts.org/story/wearing-the-cross/ |publisher=[[Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii]] |access-date=18 August 2020 |language=en |date=25 August 2010}}</ref><ref name="Konstantopoulos2017">{{cite web |last1=Konstantopoulos |first1=George D. |title=All Orthodox Christians are Given a Cross Following Their Baptism to Wear for Life |url=http://saintandrewgoc.org/home/2017/9/18/all-orthodox-christians-are-given-a-cross-following-their-baptism-to-wear-for-life |publisher=St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722181804/https://saintandrewgoc.org/home/2017/9/18/all-orthodox-christians-are-given-a-cross-following-their-baptism-to-wear-for-life|archive-date=22 July 2018|access-date=18 August 2020 |language=en |date=18 September 2017}}</ref> Outside of Christianity, [[Mandaeans]] undergo repeated baptism for [[Ritual purification#Mandaeism|purification]] instead of initiation.<ref name=McGrath/> They consider [[John the Baptist]] to be their greatest prophet and name all rivers ''[[yardna|yardena]]'' after the [[Jordan River|River Jordan]].<ref name=McGrath/><ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=chWcZcYcyeQC}}|title=Iconography of Religions: An Introduction|editor-last=Moore|editor-first=Albert C.|date=1977|publisher=Chris Robertson|isbn=9780800604882|last=Rudolph|first=Kurt|author-link=Kurt Rudolph|chapter=Mandaeism|volume=21|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/iconographyofrel0000moor}}</ref><ref name=BSN>{{cite web|author=Brikhah S. Nasoraia|title=Sacred Text and Esoteric Praxis in Sabian Mandaean Religion|year=2012|url=http://isamveri.org/pdfdrg/D201813/2012_I/2012_I_NASORAIAB.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://isamveri.org/pdfdrg/D201813/2012_I/2012_I_NASORAIAB.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|45}} The term ''baptism'' has also been used metaphorically to refer to any ceremony, trial, or experience by which a person is initiated, purified, or given a name.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |editor-first= Joseph P |editor-last= Pickett |title= baptism |url= https://archive.org/details/americanheritage0000unse_a1o7 |encyclopedia= [[The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language]] |publisher= [[Houghton Mifflin]] |location= Boston |year= 2000 |edition= 4th |isbn= 0-395-82517-2 |access-date= February 24, 2009 |url-access= registration |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070824200546/http://www.bartleby.com/61/21/D0422100.html |archive-date= August 24, 2007 }}</ref> [[Martyr]]dom was identified early in Christian church history as "[[baptism by blood]]", enabling the [[Salvation in Christianity|salvation]] of [[Christian martyr|martyrs]] who had not been baptized by water. Later, the [[Catholic Church]] identified a [[baptism of desire]], by which those preparing for baptism who die before actually receiving the sacrament are considered saved.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Scarnecchia |first=D. Brian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pGaYgGuRIAUC&dq=baptism+by+blood%22%2C+enabling+the+salvation+of+martyrs+who+had+not+been+baptized+by+water&pg=PA311 |title=Bioethics, Law, and Human Life Issues: A Catholic Perspective on Marriage, Family, Contraception, Abortion, Reproductive Technology, and Death and Dying |date=2010-06-02 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-7422-0 |language=en}}</ref> In the Methodist tradition, [[Baptism with the Holy Spirit]], has referred to the second work of grace, [[Christian perfection|entire sanctification]]; in Pentecostalism, the term Baptism with the Holy Spirit is identified with [[speaking in tongues]].<ref name="UMC2012">{{cite web |title=Guidelines: The UMC and the Charismatic Movement |url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/guidelines-the-umc-and-the-charismatic-movement |publisher=[[The United Methodist Church]] |access-date=31 July 2019 |language=en |date=2012 |quote=The Methodists were also first to coin the phrase baptism of the Holy Spirit as applied to a second and sanctifying grace (experience) of God. (Cf. John Fletcher of Madeley, Methodism's earliest formal theologian.) The Methodists meant by their "baptism" something different from the Pentecostals, but the view that this is an experience of grace separate from and after salvation was the same. |archive-date=31 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731112659/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/guidelines-the-umc-and-the-charismatic-movement |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Etymology== [[File:Baptism - Saint Calixte.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Catacombs of Rome#Catacombs of San Callisto|Catacombs of San Callisto]]: baptism in a 3rd-century painting]] The English word ''baptism'' is derived indirectly through [[Latin]] from the neuter [[Greek language|Greek]] concept noun {{transliteration|grc|báptisma}} (Greek {{lang|grc|βάπτισμα}}, {{gloss|washing, dipping}}),<ref group="lower-alpha">{{LSJ|ba/ptisma|βάπτισμα}}, {{LSJ |baptismo/s|βαπτισμός}}, {{LSJ|bapti/zw|βαπτίζω}}, {{LSJ|ba/ptw|βάπτω|ref}}. "The several Greek words from which the English word ''baptism'' has been formed are used by Greek writers (in [[classical antiquity]], in the [[Septuagint]], and in the New Testament) with a great latitude of meaning, including "to make Christian" and "baptisma pyros (baptism of fire)"" — [http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/lrc/ielex/X/P1992.html The University of Texas at Austin, College of Liberal Arts, Linguistics Research Center, ''Indo-European Lexicon'', PIE (Proto-Indo-European) ''Etymon'' and IE (Indo-European) ''Reflexes'': "baptism"] [http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/lrc/ielex/X/P0414.html and "baptize"], [http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/lrc/ielex/X/P0703.html Greek ''baptein, baptizein, baptos''] — [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm#II New Advent, ''Catholic Encyclopedia'': "Baptism": Etymology] — [http://www.spiritrestoration.org/Theological_Terms/A_Prior_%20to_Born_Again.htm Spirit Restoration, Theological Terms: A to B Dictionary: "baptize"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911210747/http://www.spiritrestoration.org/Theological_Terms/A_Prior_%20to_Born_Again.htm |date=September 11, 2010 }} (scroll down to "baptism") — [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=baptize Online Etymological Dictionary: "baptize"] — [http://bibleencyclopedia.com/baptism.htm International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: "baptism"] — two parallel online sources, Search God's Word and Eliyah, for "Strong's numbers": [http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=907 Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Greek Lexicon '''''907''''' ''βαπτίζω'' "baptize"]/[http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=greeklexicon&isindex=907 '''''907''''' ''baptizo'' "baptize"], [http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=908 '''''908''''' ''βάπτισμα'' "baptism"]/[http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=greeklexicon&isindex=908 '''''908''''' ''baptisma'' "baptism"], [http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=909 '''''909''''' ''βαπτισμός'' "baptisms"]/[http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=greeklexicon&isindex=909 '''''909''''' ''baptismos'' "baptisms"], and [http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=910 '''''910''''' ''βαπτστἠς'' "baptist"]/[http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=greeklexicon&isindex=910 '''''910''''' ''baptistes'' "baptist"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629055848/http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/lrc/ielex/X/P1992.html |date=June 29, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=T9zYAAAAMAAJ&q="it+is+used+of+ritual+washing" | first = Charles Hugh Hope | last = Scobie | title = John the Baptist | publisher = SCM Press | year = 1964 | page = 92}}</ref> which is a [[neologism]] in the [[New Testament]] derived from the masculine Greek noun {{transliteration|grc|baptismós}} ({{lang|grc|βαπτισμός}}), a term for ritual washing in Greek language texts of [[Hellenistic Judaism]] during the [[Second Temple period]], such as the [[Septuagint]].<ref>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=lw5uLXiCUpgC&q=baptize+septuagint+ritual+washing&pg=PA34 | first = Merrill F | last = Unger | title = The Baptism & Gifts of the Holy Spirit | publisher = Moody Press | year = 2004 | isbn = 978-0-8024-0467-1 | page = 34}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=tSIOFBvsaNUC&q=baptize+septuagint+ritual+washing&pg=RA1-PA149 | first = Lewis Sperry | last = Chafer | title = Systematic Theology | publisher = Kregel | year = 1993 | isbn = 978-0-8254-2340-6 | page = 149}}</ref> Both of these nouns are derived from the verb {{transliteration|grc|baptízō}} ({{lang|grc|βαπτίζω}}, {{gloss|I wash}} [[transitive verb]]), which is used in Jewish texts for ritual washing, and in the [[New Testament]] both for ritual washing and also for the apparently new rite of {{transliteration|grc|báptisma}}. The Greek verb {{transliteration|grc|báptō}} ({{lang|grc|βάπτω}}), {{gloss|dip}}, from which the verb {{transliteration|grc|baptízō}} is derived, is in turn hypothetically traced to a reconstructed [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] root *''gʷabh-'', {{gloss|dip}}.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World|url=https://archive.org/details/oxfordintroducti00mall|url-access=limited|first1=JP | last1 =Mallory|first2=Douglas Q.|last2=Adams|year=2006|publisher=Oxford University Press|pages=[https://archive.org/details/oxfordintroducti00mall/page/n427 403], 532}}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |entry-url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=baptize |dictionary=Online Etymology Dictionary |entry=Baptize}}</ref><ref name="AHD">{{Cite book |last=Watkins |first=Calvert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4IHbQgz1nZYC&pg=PA33 |title=The American Heritage Dictionary of Indo-European Roots |date=2000 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |isbn=978-0-618-08250-6 |language=en}}</ref> The Greek words are used in a great variety of meanings.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |entry-url=http://bibleencyclopedia.com/baptism.htm |encyclopedia=International Standard Bible Encyclopedia |entry=Baptism}}</ref> {{lang|grc|βάπτω}} and {{lang|grc|βαπτίζω}} in Hellenism had the general usage of "immersion", "going under" (as a material in a liquid dye) or "perishing" (as in a ship sinking or a person drowning), with the same double meanings as in English "to sink into" or "to be overwhelmed by", with bathing or washing only occasionally used and usually in sacral contexts.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Theological Dictionary of the New Testament|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company|year=1964|editor-last=Kittel|editor-first=Gerhard|volume=1|location=Grand Rapids, MI, USA|pages=529–530|translator-last=Bromiley|translator-first=Geoffrey}}</ref> <!---shorten and merge with above: Baptism ((from the [[Greek language|Greek]] 1. noun masculine: baptismos βαπτισμός(bap-tis-mos') a ceremonial washing, purification effected by means of washing in water. 2. verb: baptizo βαπτίζω (bap-tid'-zo) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk), to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe, to overwhelm. 3. original word – verb bapto: βάπτω (bap'-to) a. to dip, dip in, immerse b. to dip into dye, to dye, color.<ref name="LSJ+">[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=baptizw&la=greek#lexicon Liddell & Scott: entry βαπτίζω]. ''The several Greek words from which our English word "baptism" has been formed are used by Greek writers (in [[classical antiquity]], in the [[Septuagint]], and in the New Testament) with a great '''''latitude of meaning''''', including "to make Christian" and "baptisma pyros (baptism of fire)"'' — [http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/lrc/ielex/X/P1992.html The University of Texas at Austin, College of Liberal Arts, Linguistics Research Center, ''Indo-European Lexicon'', PIE (Proto-Indo-European) ''Etymon'' and IE (Indo-European) ''Reflexes'': "baptism"] [http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/lrc/ielex/X/P0414.html and "baptize"], [http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/lrc/ielex/X/P0703.html Greek ''baptein, baptizein, baptos''] — [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm#II New Advent, ''Catholic Encyclopedia'': "Baptism": Etymology] — [http://www.spiritrestoration.org/Theological_Terms/A_Prior_%20to_Born_Again.htm SpiritRestoration.org, Theological Terms: A to B Dictionary: "baptize"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911210747/http://www.spiritrestoration.org/Theological_Terms/A_Prior_%20to_Born_Again.htm |date=September 11, 2010 }} (''scroll down to "baptism"'') — [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=baptize Online Etymological Dictionary: "baptize"] — [http://bibleencyclopedia.com/baptism.htm International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: "baptism"] — two parallel online sources, SearchGodsWord.org and Eliyah.com, for "''Strong's numbers''": [http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=907 Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Greek Lexicon '''''907''''' ''βαπτίζω'' "baptize"]/[http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=greeklexicon&isindex=907 '''''907''''' ''baptizo'' "baptize"], [http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=908 '''''908''''' ''βάπτισμα'' "baptism"]/[http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=greeklexicon&isindex=908 '''''908''''' ''baptisma'' "baptism"], [http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=909 '''''909''''' ''βαπτισμός'' "baptisms"]/[http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=greeklexicon&isindex=909 '''''909''''' ''baptismos'' "baptisms"], and [http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=910 '''''910''''' ''βαπτστἠς'' "baptist"]/[http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=greeklexicon&isindex=910 '''''910''''' ''baptistes'' "baptist"]</ref>)) is a [[Christian]] [[rite]] of [[initiation]] (or [[adoption]]<ref>St. Paul: Romans 8:15 "the spirit of adoption" ("of sonship" RSV), Galatians 4:5 "adoption of sons", Ephesians 1:15 "the adoption of children by Jesus Christ" ("to be his sons through Jesus Christ" RSV).</ref>), almost invariably with the use of water, into the [[Christianity|Christian Church]] generally<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/52311/Baptism Encyclopaedia Britannica: baptism]</ref> and also a particular church rite. Baptism has been called a [[sacrament]] and an [[ordinance (Christian)|ordinance]] of Jesus Christ. ---> ==History== {{main|History of baptism}} [[File:Bethany (5).JPG|thumb|upright|[[Al-Maghtas]] ruins on the [[Jordan]]ian side of the [[Jordan River]] are the location for the Baptism of Jesus and the ministry of [[John the Baptist]].]] [[File:Mikva.jpg|thumb|Excavated [[mikveh]] in [[Qumran]], Israel]] The practice of baptism emerged from Jewish ritualistic practices during the [[Second Temple Period]], out of which figures such as [[John the Baptist]] emerged. For example, various texts in the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]] (DSS) corpus at [[Qumran]] describe ritual practices involving washing, bathing, sprinkling, and immersing. One example of such a text is a DSS known as the [[Rule of the Community]], which says "And by the compliance of his soul with all the laws of God his flesh is cleansed by being sprinkled with cleansing waters and being made holy with the waters of repentance."<ref>Everett Ferguson, ''Baptism in the Early Church: History, Theology, and Liturgy in the First Five Centuries'', Eerdmans 2009, pp68-71</ref> The [[Mandaeans]], who are followers of [[John the Baptist]], practice frequent full immersion baptism (''[[masbuta]]'') as a ritual of purification.<ref name="auto">Drower, Ethel Stefana. The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1937.</ref> According to [[Haran Gawaita|Mandaean sources]], they left the [[Jordan Valley]] in the 1st century AD.<ref>Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen. The Mandaeans: Ancient Texts and Modern People. Oxford University Press, 2002.p4</ref> [[John the Baptist]], who is considered a forerunner to Christianity, used baptism as the central sacrament of his messianic movement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sacrament {{!}} religion {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/sacrament |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> The apostle Paul distinguished between the baptism of John, ("baptism of repentance") and baptism in the name of Jesus,<ref>{{Cite web |title=David Guzik's Commentary |url=https://www.studylight.org/guzik.html |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=StudyLight.org |at=Acts 19:1–7 |language=en}}</ref> and it is questionable whether Christian baptism was in some way linked with that of John.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hch4J9VvFjcC&q=Schmithals+%22baptism+of+John%22&pg=PA215 |first=Walter|last= Schmithals|title=The Theology of the First Christians|publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |isbn= 978-0-66425615-9| page= 215 |year=1997|access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> However, according to Mark 1:8, John seems to connect his water baptism as a type of the true, ultimate baptism of Jesus, which is by the Spirit. Christians consider [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus]] to have instituted the sacrament of baptism.<ref name="cross2005baptism" /> Though some form of immersion was likely the most common method of baptism in the early church, many of the writings from the ancient church appeared to view this mode of baptism as inconsequential. The Didache 7.1–3 (AD 60–150) allowed for affusion practices in situations where immersion was not practical. Likewise, [[Tertullian]] (AD 196–212) allowed for varying approaches to baptism even if those practices did not conform to biblical or traditional mandates (cf. De corona militis 3; De baptismo 17). Finally, Cyprian (ca. AD 256) explicitly stated that the amount of water was inconsequential and defended immersion, affusion, and aspersion practices (Epistle 75.12). As a result, there was no uniform or consistent mode of baptism in the ancient church prior to the fourth century.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Slade |first=Darren M. |date=2014-08-15 |title=The Early Church's Inconsequential View of the Mode of Baptism |url=https://www.academia.edu/8008124 |journal=American Theological Inquiry |at=7 (2): 21–34}}</ref> By the third and fourth centuries, baptism involved [[catechetical]] instruction as well as [[chrismation]], [[Exorcism in Christianity|exorcism]]s, [[Christian laying on of hands|laying on of hands]], and recitation of a [[creed]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Old|first=Hughes Oliphant|author-link=Hughes Oliphant Old|title=The Shaping of the Reformed Baptismal Rite in the Sixteenth Century|url=https://archive.org/details/shapingofreforme00oldh|url-access=limited|year=1992|publisher=[[William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company]]|location=Grand Rapids, MI|isbn=978-0802824899|pages=[https://archive.org/details/shapingofreforme00oldh/page/3 3], 7}}</ref> In the [[Early Middle Ages]] infant baptism became common and the rite was significantly simplified and increasingly emphasized.<ref>{{cite book|last=Old|first=Hughes Oliphant|author-link=Hughes Oliphant Old|title=The Shaping of the Reformed Baptismal Rite in the Sixteenth Century|url=https://archive.org/details/shapingofreforme00oldh|url-access=limited|year=1992|pages=[https://archive.org/details/shapingofreforme00oldh/page/7 7]–8|publisher=Eerdmans |isbn=978-0802836991}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.3390/rel11120678|doi-access=free|title=Doctrinal and Physical Marginality in Christian Death: The Burial of Unbaptized Infants in Medieval Italy|year=2020|last1=Crow|first1=Madison|last2=Zori|first2=Colleen|last3=Zori|first3=Davide|journal=Religions|volume=11|issue=12|page=678}}</ref> In Western Europe [[Affusion]] became the normal mode of baptism between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries, though immersion was still practiced into the sixteenth.<ref name="cathen">{{cite encyclopedia |first=William |last=Fanning |title=Baptism |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm |year=1907 |encyclopedia=[[Catholic Encyclopedia]] |access-date=February 24, 2009 |publisher=Robert Appleton Company |location=New York City| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090228172517/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm| archive-date= February 28, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> In the medieval period, some radical Christians rejected the practice of baptism as a sacrament. Sects such as the [[Tondrakians]], [[Catharism|Cathars]], [[Arnoldists]], [[Peter of Bruys|Petrobrusians]], [[Henry of Lausanne|Henricans]], [[Brethren of the Free Spirit]] and the [[Lollardy|Lollards]] were regarded as heretics by the Catholic Church. In the sixteenth century, [[Martin Luther]] retained baptism as a sacrament,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2607 |title=Baptism and Its Purpose |publisher=[[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]] |access-date=February 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206220443/http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2607 |archive-date=February 6, 2009 }}</ref> but Swiss reformer [[Huldrych Zwingli]] considered baptism and the [[Eucharist|Lord's Supper]] to be symbolic.<ref name="cross2005baptism" /> [[Anabaptist]]s denied the validity of the practice of infant baptism, and rebaptized converts.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wernham |first=R. B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z-48AAAAIAAJ&dq=Anabaptists+denied+the+validity+of+the+practice+of+infant+baptism%2C+and+rebaptized+converts.&pg=PA123 |title=The New Cambridge Modern History: Volume 3, Counter-Reformation and Price Revolution, 1559-1610 |date= November 1968|publisher=CUP Archive |isbn=978-0-521-04543-8 |language=en}}</ref> ==Mode and manner== Baptism is practiced in several different ways. [[Aspersion]] is the sprinkling of water on the head, and [[affusion]] is the pouring of water over the head.<ref name="McKim2014">{{cite book |last1=McKim |first1=Donald K. |title=The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, Second Edition: Revised and Expanded |date=14 April 2014 |publisher=Presbyterian Publishing Corp |isbn=978-1-61164-386-2 |page=27 |language=English|quote='''baptism, modes of''' The manner in which baptism is administered. Main modes of baptism are immersion (dipping or plunging), pouring (affusion), and sprinkling (aspersion).<br /> '''baptism, triune''' The practice of sprinkling, pouring, or immersing three times in the act of baptism. This ancient practice emphasized the distinctions of the three members of the Trinity, even as the act of baptism itself was one action that emphasizes the oneness of the Godhead. }}</ref> Traditionally, a person is sprinkled, poured, or immersed three times for each person of the [[Holy Trinity]], with this ancient Christian practice called ''trine baptism'' or ''triune baptism''.<ref name="McKim2014"/><ref name="Classical2012"/> ''[[Didache|The Didache]]'' specifies: {{blockquote|This is how you should baptize: Having recited all these things, [the first half of the ''Teaching'', "The Way of Life and the Way of Death"] baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in running water. If you do not have running water, then baptize in still water. The water should be cold, but if you do not have cold water, then use warm. If you have neither, then just pour water on the head three times in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both the one who is baptized and the one who baptizes should fast beforehand, along with any others who are able, the one that is baptized being told to fast for a day or two.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lightfoot |first1=J.B. |last2=Tomkins |first2=Stephen |last3=Graves |first3=Dan |title=#101: The Didache |url=https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/study/module/didache |publisher=Christian History Institute |access-date=7 September 2021 |language=English}}</ref>|author=J.B. Lightfoot, Stephen Tompkins, Dan Graves|title=The Didache|source=Christian History Institute}} The word "[[immersion baptism|immersion]]" is derived from [[late Latin]] ''immersio'', a noun derived from the verb ''immergere'' (''in'' – "into" + ''mergere'' "dip"). In relation to baptism, some use it to refer to any form of dipping, whether the body is put completely under water or is only partly dipped in water; they thus speak of immersion as being either total or partial. Others, of the Anabaptist belief, use "immersion" to mean exclusively plunging someone entirely under the surface of the water.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |entry-url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=immersion |entry=immersion |dictionary=Online Etymology Dictionary |access-date=August 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= 1689 Baptist Catechism | url= http://www.desiringgod.org/AboutUs/OurDistinctives/ABaptistCatechism/ | last= Piper | first= John | date= January 1986 | access-date=February 3, 2010}}</ref> The term "immersion" is also used of a form of baptism in which water is poured over someone standing in water, without submersion of the person.<ref name=ODCCimmersion>{{Cite book|first=Frank Leslie |last=Cross |author-link=Frank Leslie Cross |author2=Elizabeth A. Livingstone |chapter=Immersion |title=The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=[[Oxford]] and New York|year=2005 |page=827 |isbn=0-19-280290-9 |oclc=58998735}}</ref><ref name=Pinehurst>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinehurstumc.org/clientimages/31669/baptismmode.pdf |title=Study published on the website of Pinehurst United Methodist Church |access-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021205649/http://www.pinehurstumc.org/clientimages/31669/baptismmode.pdf |archive-date=October 21, 2013 }}</ref> On these three meanings of the word "immersion", see [[Immersion baptism]]. When "immersion" is used in opposition to "submersion",<ref>In scientific contexts the two words are often understood as mutually exclusive. Examples are found in mathematics (see [https://books.google.com/books?id=dWHet_zgyCAC&dq=immersion+submersion&pg=PA214 Ralph Abraham, Jerrold E. Marsden, Tudor S. Ra iu, Manifolds, Tensor Analysis, and Applications], p. 196 and [https://books.google.com/books?id=jSeRz36zXIMC&q=immersion+&pg=PA168 Klaus Fritzsche, Hans Grauert, From Holomorphic Functions to Complex Manifolds], p.168), in medicine ([https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1724326/ Effect of immersion, submersion, and scuba diving on heart rate variability)], and language learning ([http://www.strath.ac.uk/media/departments/curricularstudies/scilt/publications/immersion/chapter_1.pdf Immersion in a Second Language in School).] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206222358/https://books.google.com/books?id=dWHet_zgyCAC&pg=PA214&lpg=PA214&dq=immersion+submersion&source=bl&ots=1REtDR4qL_&sig=SiRUoIzwU0chy39L2ayr_GBAwwc&hl=en&ei=h_NuS_XEJNOSjAf-nayABg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CB4Q6AEwBjgy#v=onepage&q=immersion%20submersion&f=false |date=December 6, 2014 }}</ref> it indicates the form of baptism in which the candidate stands or kneels in water and water is poured over the upper part of the body. Immersion in this sense has been employed in West and East since at least the 2nd century and is the form in which baptism is generally depicted in early Christian art. In the West, this method of baptism began to be replaced by [[affusion]] baptism from around the 8th century, but it continues in use in [[Eastern Christianity]].<ref name=ODCCimmersion/><ref name=Pinehurst/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02274a.htm |title=Catholic Encyclopedia, article ''Baptismal Font'' |publisher=Newadvent.org |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> [[File:Mar George Alencherry blessing a child.jpg|thumb|right|Baptism of a child solemnized by [[George Alencherry]], [[Major Archbishop]] of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]]]] [[File:Russian-baptism.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Baptism by submersion in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] ([[Sophia Cathedral]], 2005)]] [[File:Jordan river baptism cue.jpg|thumb|upright|Men lined up to be baptized by immersion in the River Jordan]] The word submersion comes from the [[late Latin]] (''sub-'' "under, below" + ''mergere'' "plunge, dip")<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of SUBMERGE |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submerge |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref> and is also sometimes called "complete immersion". It is the form of baptism in which the water completely covers the candidate's body. Submersion is practiced in the Orthodox and several other Eastern Churches.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ferguson |first=Everett |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xC9GAdUGX5sC&dq=baptism+priest+%22head%22+%22so+as+to%22&pg=PA894 |title=Baptism in the Early Church: History, Theology, and Liturgy in the First Five Centuries |date=2009-03-23 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |isbn=978-0-8028-2748-7 |pages=860 |language=en}}</ref> In the [[Latin Church]] of the Catholic Church, baptism by submersion is used in the [[Ambrosian Rite]] and is one of the methods provided in the [[Roman Rite]] of the baptism of infants.<ref>{{Cite book |last=George |first=Maya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cSVVzG4bSPcC&dq=baptism+by+submersion+is+used+in+the+Ambrosian+Rite+and+is+one+of+the+methods+provided+in+the+Roman+Rite+of+the+baptism+of+infants&pg=PA261 |title=Faith and Philosophy of Christianity |date=2009 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-7835-720-1 |language=en}}</ref> It is seen as obligatory among some groups that have arisen since the [[Protestant Reformation]], such as [[Baptists]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=Peter W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WDW5MAZr2N8C&dq=Submersion+is+seen+as+obligatory+among+some+groups+that+have+arisen+since+the+Protestant+Reformation%2C+such+as+Baptists&pg=PA103 |title=America's Religions: From Their Origins to the Twenty-first Century |date=2008 |publisher=University of Illinois Press |isbn=978-0-252-07551-3 |language=en}}</ref> ===Meaning of the Greek verb ''baptizein''=== The [[Greek-English Lexicon]] of Liddell and Scott gives the primary meaning of the verb ''baptízein'', from which the English verb "baptize" is derived, as "dip, plunge", and gives examples of plunging a sword into a throat or an embryo and for drawing wine by dipping a cup in the bowl; for New Testament usage it gives two meanings: "baptize", with which it associates the [[Septuagint]] mention of [[Naaman]] dipping himself in the [[Jordan River]], and "perform ablutions", as in Luke 11:38.<ref name="LSJ">[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0057:entry=bapti/zw Liddell & Scott: entry βαπτίζω]: "βαπτ-ίζω, A. dip, plunge, 'ξίφος εἰς σφαγήν' J.BJ2.18.4; 'σπάθιον εἰς τὸ ἔμβρυον' Sor.2.63:—Pass., of a [[trepanning|trephine]], Gal.10.447; ... 2. draw wine by dipping the cup in the bowl, Aristopho 14.5; 'φιάλαις β. ἐκ . . κρατήρων' ..." The usage examples quoted here mean "a sword into his throat"; "a sword into the foetus"; "draw with cups from bowls"</ref> Although the Greek verb ''baptízein'' does not exclusively mean dip, plunge or immerse (it is used with literal and figurative meanings such as "sink", "disable", "overwhelm", "go under", "overborne", "draw from a bowl"),<ref name=LSJ/><ref>Theological dictionary of the New Testament. 1964–c1976. Vols. 5–9 edited by Gerhard Friedrich. Vol. 10 compiled by Ronald Pitkin. (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (1:529–530). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.</ref> lexical sources typically cite this as a meaning of the word in both the [[Septuagint]]<ref name="Zodhiates, S. 2000">'In the Sept.: 2 Kgs. 5:13, 14 we have loúō (3068), to bathe and baptízomai. See also {{bibleverse|Leviticus|11:25, 28, 40}}, where plúnō (4150), to wash clothes by dipping, and loúō (3068), to bathe are used. In {{bibleverse|Numbers|19:18, 19}}, báphō, to dip, and plúnō, to wash by dipping are used', Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The Complete Word Study Dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.) (G908). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">'In the LXX βάπτειν (βαπτίζειν occurs only at 4 Βασ. 5:14) as a rendering of טָבַל, "to dip," is used for the dipping of the morsel in wine at Ru. 2:14, of feet in the river at Jos. 3:15, of the finger in blood in the Torah of sacrifices at Lv. 4:6, 17 etc., of the dipping of unsanctified vessels in water in the laws of purification at Lv. 11:32 (בא hiph). In the latter case, however, πλύνω (כבס) and λούομαι (רחץ) are more common, as in Lv. 15:11, 13 etc. The sevenfold dipping of Naaman (2 K. 5:14) perhaps suggests sacramental ideas and illustrates the importance of the Jordan. In the later Jewish period טבל (b. Ber., 2b of the bathing of priests; Joma, 3, 2ff. etc.) and βαπτίζειν become tech. terms for washings to cleanse from Levitical impurity, as already in Jdt. 12:7; Gk. Sir. 31(34):30. The טְבִילָה of proselytes belongs to this context.', Theological dictionary of the New Testament. 1964–c1976. Vols. 5–9 edited by Gerhard Friedrich. Vol. 10 compiled by Ronald Pitkin. (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (1:535). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.</ref><ref>'βαπτίζω+ V 0-1-1-0-2=4 2 Kgs 5,14; Is 21,4; Jdt 12,7; Sir 34,25 M to dip oneself 2 Kgs 5,14; to wash Jdt 12,7 ἡ ἀνομία με βαπτίζει I am imbued with transgression Is 21,4 Cf. DELLING 1970, 243–245; →NIDNTT; TWNT', Lust, J., Eynikel, E., & Hauspie, K. (2003). A Greek–English Lexicon of the Septuagint : Revised Edition. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft: Stuttgart.</ref> and the [[New Testament]].<ref>'In Mark 7:3, the phrase "wash their hands" is the translation of níptō (3538), to wash part of the body such as the hands. In Mark 7:4 the verb wash in "except they wash" is baptízomai, to immerse. This indicates that the washing of the hands was done by immersing them in collected water. See Luke 11:38 which refers to washing one's hands before the meal, with the use of baptízomai, to have the hands baptized.', Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The Complete Word Study Dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.) (G907). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.</ref> "While it is true that the basic root meaning of the Greek words for baptize and baptism is immerse/immersion, it is not true that the words can simply be reduced to this meaning, as can be seen from Mark 10:38–39, Luke 12:50, Matthew 3:11 Luke 3:16 and Corinthians10:2."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ncqkZnDSeo4C&pg=PA101 |editor-first=William A. |editor-last=Dyrness |title=Global Dictionary of Theology |publisher=Intervarsity Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-8308-2454-0 |page=101 |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> Two passages in the [[Gospel]]s indicate that the verb ''baptízein'' did not always indicate submersion. The first is Luke 11:38, which tells how a Pharisee, at whose house Jesus ate, "was astonished to see that he did not first wash (''ἐβαπτίσθη'', aorist passive of ''βαπτίζω''—literally, "was baptized") before dinner". This is the passage that Liddell and Scott cites as an instance of the use of ''{{lang|grc|βαπτίζω}}'' to mean ''perform ablutions''. Jesus' omission of this action is similar to that of his disciples: "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash (''{{lang|grc|νίπτω}}'') not their hands when they eat bread".<ref>{{bibleverse|Matthew|15:1–2|KJV}}</ref> The other Gospel passage pointed to is: "The Pharisees...do not eat unless they wash (''{{lang|grc|νίπτω}}'', the ordinary word for washing) their hands thoroughly, observing the tradition of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they wash themselves (literally, "baptize themselves"—''βαπτίσωνται'', passive or middle voice of ''βαπτίζω'')".<ref>{{bibleverse|Mark|7:3–4|KJV}}</ref> [[File:Child baptism with water.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Baptism of a child by affusion]] Scholars of various denominations<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=xewBAAAACAAJ A. A. Hodge, Outlines of Theology 1992] {{ISBN|0-85151-160-0}} {{ISBN|978-0-85151-160-3}} quoted in {{cite web|url=http://www.mbrem.com/baptism/aabap.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020126072506/http://mbrem.com/baptism/aabap.htm |archive-date=January 26, 2002 |title=The Mode of Baptism |first=Michael |last=Bremmer |date=September 7, 2001 |access-date=February 25, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first2=Bertram |last2=Naumann |year=2006 |last1=Naumann |first1=Paul |title=The Sacrament of Baptism |url=http://www.clclutheran.org/lfm/lfm12.pdf |work=Learn From Me |access-date=February 24, 2009 |publisher=[[Church of the Lutheran Confession]]| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090225041602/http://www.clclutheran.org/lfm/lfm12.pdf| archive-date= February 25, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholic.com/library/Baptism_Immersion_Only.asp |title=Baptism: Immersion Only? |first=Robert H. |last=Brom |author-link=Robert Henry Brom |date=August 10, 2004 |publisher=[[Catholic Answers]] |access-date=February 24, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090314053255/http://catholic.com/library/Baptism_Immersion_Only.asp| archive-date= March 14, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> claim that these two passages show that invited guests, or people returning from market, would not be expected to immerse themselves ("baptize themselves") totally in water but only to practise the partial immersion of dipping their hands in water or to pour water over them, as is the only form admitted by present Jewish custom.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Bernard |last=Drachman |author-link=Bernard Drachman |author2=Kaufmann Kohler |title=Ablution |url=http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?letter=A&artid=338 |editor=[[Cyrus Adler]] |encyclopedia=[[Jewish Encyclopedia]]|author2-link=Kaufmann Kohler }}</ref> In the second of the two passages, it is actually the hands that are specifically identified as "washed",<ref>Mark 7:3</ref> not the entire person, for whom the verb used is ''baptízomai'', literally "be baptized", "be immersed",<ref>Mark 7:4</ref> a fact obscured by English versions that use "wash" as a translation of both verbs. Zodhiates concludes that the washing of the hands was done by immersing them.<ref name="Zodhiates">'Washing or ablution was frequently by immersion, indicated by either baptízō or níptō (3538), to wash. In Mark 7:3, the phrase 'wash their hands' is the translation of níptō (3538), to wash part of the body such as the hands. In Mark 7:4 the verb wash in 'except they wash' is baptízomai, to immerse. This indicates that the washing of the hands was done by immersing them in collected water. See Luke 11:38 which refers to washing one's hands before the meal, with the use of baptízomai, to have the hands baptized.", Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The Complete Word Study Dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.) (G907). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.</ref> The Liddell–Scott–Jones [[Greek-English Lexicon]] (1996) cites the other passage (Luke 11:38) as an instance of the use of the verb ''baptízein'' to mean "perform ablutions", not "submerge".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=baptizw&la=greek#lexicon |title=LSJ: βαπτίζω |publisher=Perseus.tufts.edu |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> References to the cleaning of vessels which use βαπτίζω also refer to immersion.<ref>'Despite assertions to the contrary, it seems that baptizō, both in Jewish and Christian contexts, normally meant "immerse", and that even when it became a technical term for baptism, the thought of immersion remains. The use of the term for cleansing vessels (as in Lev. 6:28 Aquila [cf. 6:21]; cf. baptismos in Mk. 7:4) does not prove the contrary, since vessels were normally cleansed by immersing them in water. The metaphorical uses of the term in the NT appear to take this for granted, e.g. the prophecy that the Messiah will baptise in Spirit and fire as a liquid (Matt. 3:11), the "baptism" of the Israelites in the cloud and the sea (1 Cor. 10:2), and in the idea of Jesus' death as a baptism (Mk. 10:38f. baptisma; Lk. 12:50; cf. Ysebaert, op. cit., 41 ff.).', Brown, C. (1986). Vol. 1: New international dictionary of New Testament theology (144)</ref> As already mentioned, the lexicographical work of Zodhiates says that, in the second of these two cases,<ref>{{Bibleverse|Mark|7:4}}</ref> the verb ''baptízein'' indicates that, after coming from the market, the Pharisees washed their hands by immersing them in collected water.<ref name=Zodhiates/> Balz & Schneider understand the meaning of βαπτίζω, used in place of ῥαντίσωνται (sprinkle), to be the same as βάπτω, to dip or immerse,<ref>'Mark 7:4 [v.l. in v. 8]; here βαπτίσωνται appears in place of ῥαντίσωνται in Koine D Θ pl, giving βαπτίζω the meaning of βάπτω', Balz, H. R., & Schneider, G. (1990–c1993). Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament. Translation of: Exegetisches Worterbuch zum Neuen Testament. (1:195). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans.</ref><ref>'Βάπτω dip, immerse', Balz, H. R., & Schneider, G. (1990–c1993). Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament. Translation of: Exegetisches Worterbuch zum Neuen Testament. (1:195). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans.</ref><ref>'βάπτω; ἐμβάπτω: to dip an object in a liquid—''to dip in.'', Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996, c1989). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (1:522). New York: United Bible societies.</ref> a verb used of the partial dipping of a morsel held in the hand into wine or of a finger into spilled blood.<ref>"In the LXX βάπτειν...is used for the dipping of the morsel in wine at Ju. 2:14, ...of the finger in blood in the Torah of sacrifices at Lv. 4:6, 17 etc.", Theological dictionary of the New Testament. 1964–c1976. Vols. 5–9 edited by Gerhard Friedrich. Vol. 10 compiled by Ronald Pitkin. (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (1:535). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.</ref> [[File:Baptism - Marcellinus and Peter.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Fresco of a baptism from the [[Catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter]].]] A possible additional use of the verb ''baptízein'' to relate to ritual washing is suggested by [[Peter Leithart]] (2007) who suggests that Paul's phrase "Else what shall they do who are [[baptism for the dead|baptized for the dead]]?"<ref>οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν</ref> relates to Jewish ritual washing.<ref>Peter J. Leithart ''The Baptized Body'' 2007 p136 "Paul uses a distancing third person—"they" baptize for the dead. Why not "we"? Paul might well be referring to Jewish practices. Under the ceremonial laws of Torah, every washing was a washing "for the dead" (cf. Num. 19). Uncleanness was a ceremonial form of death, and through washings of various sorts the unclean dead were restored to life in fellowship with.."</ref> In Jewish Greek the verb ''baptízein'' "baptized" has a wider reference than just "baptism" and in Jewish context primarily applies to the masculine noun ''baptismós'' "ritual washing"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G909&t=KJV |title=masculine noun baptismos 4x NT uses |publisher=Blueletterbible.org |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> The verb ''baptízein'' occurs four times in the Septuagint in the context of ritual washing, ''baptismós''; Judith cleansing herself from menstrual impurity, [[Naaman]] washing seven times to be cleansed from [[leprosy]], etc.<ref>Philippe Wolff ''Baptism: The Covenant and the Family'' 2009 p45 "This word occurs but four times in the Septuagint, and in no case with the Baptist meaning. 1st. "Judith baptized herself in a fountain of water, by the camp." (Judith xii. 7.) She was then purifying herself from her uncleanness."</ref> Additionally, in the New Testament only, the verb ''baptízein'' can also relate to the neuter noun ''báptisma'' "baptism" which is a [[neologism]] unknown in the [[Septuagint]] and other pre-Christian Jewish texts.<ref>Jonathan David Lawrence ''Washing in Water: Trajectories of Ritual Bathing in the Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Literature'' (Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2006), p294</ref> This broadness in the meaning of ''baptízein'' is reflected in English Bibles rendering "wash", where Jewish ritual washing is meant: for example Mark 7:4 states that the Pharisees "except they wash (Greek "baptize"), they do not eat",<ref>ἐὰν μὴ βαπτίσωνται οὐκ ἐσθίουσιν</ref> and "baptize" where ''báptisma'', the new Christian rite, is intended.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bromiley |first=Geoffrey William |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wo8csizDv0gC&dq=and+%22baptize%22+where+b%C3%A1ptisma%2C+the+new+Christian+rite%2C+is+intended&pg=PA423 |title=The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia |date=1979 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |isbn=978-0-8028-3781-3 |language=en}}</ref> ===Derived nouns=== Two nouns derived from the verb ''baptízō'' (βαπτίζω) appear in the New Testament: the masculine noun ''baptismós'' (βαπτισμός) and the neuter noun ''báptisma'' (βάπτισμα): * ''baptismós'' (βαπτισμός) refers in Mark 7:4 to a water-rite for the purpose of purification, washing, cleansing, of dishes;<ref name=Arndt>Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, (3rd ed.) (165). Chicago: University of Chicago Press</ref><ref name="Friberg"/> in the same verse and in Hebrews 9:10 to Levitical cleansings of vessels or of the body;<ref>Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. 1964–c1976. Vols. 5–9 edited by Gerhard Friedrich. Vol. 10 compiled by Ronald Pitkin. (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (1:545). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.</ref> and in Hebrews 6:2 perhaps also to baptism, though there it may possibly refer to washing an inanimate object.<ref name="Friberg">Friberg, T., Friberg, B., & Miller, N. F. (2000). Vol. 4: Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Baker's Greek New Testament Library (87). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.</ref> According to [[Spiros Zodhiates]] when referring merely to the cleansing of utensils ''baptismós'' (βαπτισμός) is equated with ''rhantismós'' (ῥαντισμός, [[aspersion|"sprinkling"]]), found only in Hebrews 12:24 and Peter 1:2, a noun used to indicate the symbolic cleansing by the Old Testament priest.<ref name=Zodhiates/> * ''báptisma'' (βάπτισμα), which is a [[neologism]] appearing to originate in the New Testament, and probably should not be confused with the earlier Jewish concept of ''baptismós'' (βαπτισμός),<ref name="autogenerated2">Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The Complete Word Study Dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.) (G908). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.</ref> Later this is found only in writings by Christians.<ref name=Arndt/> In the New Testament, it appears at least 21 times: ** 13 times with regard to the rite practised by [[John the Baptist]];<ref>{{Bibleverse|Matthew|3:7}}, {{Bibleverse|Matthew|21:25}}; {{Bibleverse|Mark|1:4}}, {{Bibleverse|Mark|11:30}}; {{Bibleverse|Luke|3:3}}, {{Bibleverse|Luke|7:29}}, {{Bibleverse|Luke|20:4}}; {{Bibleverse|Acts|1:22}}, {{Bibleverse|Acts|10:37}}, {{Bibleverse|Acts|13:24}}, {{Bibleverse|Acts|18:25}}, {{Bibleverse|Acts|19:3–4}})</ref> ** 3 times with reference to the specific Christian rite<ref>{{Bibleverse|Romans|6:4}}, {{Bibleverse|Ephesians|4:5}}, {{Bibleverse|1 Peter|3:21}}</ref> (4 times if account is taken of its use in some manuscripts of Colossians 2:12, where, however, it is most likely to have been changed from the original ''baptismós'' than vice versa);<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7N0m_JAYvxUC&pg=PA137 |first=Outi |last=Leppä |title=The Making of Colossians |publisher=Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht |year=2005 |isbn=978-3-525-53629-2 |page=137 |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> ** 5 times in a metaphorical sense.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Matthew|20:22–23}}, {{Bibleverse|Mark|10:38–39}}, {{Bibleverse|Luke|12:50}}</ref> * Manuscript variation: In Colossians, some manuscripts have neuter noun ''báptisma'' (βάπτισμα), but some have masculine noun ''baptismós'' (βαπτισμός), and this is the reading given in modern critical editions of the New Testament.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seite nicht gefunden :: bibelwissenschaft.de |url=https://www.bibelwissenschaft.de/de/404-seite-nicht-gefunden/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.bibelwissenschaft.de |edition=27th}}</ref> If this reading is correct, then this is the only New Testament instance in which ''baptismós'' (βαπτισμός) is clearly used of Christian baptism, rather than of a generic washing, unless the opinion of some is correct that Hebrews 6:2 may also refer to Christian baptism.<ref name="Friberg"/> * The feminine noun ''baptisis'',<ref>[[LSJ]] {{cite web| url = https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=ba%2Fptisin&la=greek&prior=th\n#Perseus:text:1999.04.0057:entry=ba/ptisis-contents| title = baptisis}}</ref> along with the masculine noun ''baptismós''<ref>[[LSJ]] {{cite web| url = https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dbaptismo%2Fs| title = baptismos}}</ref> both occur in Josephus' Antiquities (J. AJ 18.5.2) relating to the murder of John the Baptist by Herod.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flavius Josephus, Antiquitates Judaicae, *ta/de e)/nestin e)n th={{!}} ih tw=n *)iwsh/pou i(storiw=n th=s *)ioudai+kh=s a)rxaiologi/as., Whiston chapter 5, Whiston section 2 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:abo:tlg,0526,001:18:5:2&lang=original |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, Whiston chapter 5, Whiston section 2 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0146:book=18:whiston%20chapter=5:whiston%20section=2 |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu}}</ref> This feminine form is not used elsewhere by Josephus, nor in the New Testament.<ref>James D. G. Dunn ''Jesus remembered'' 2003 p256</ref> ===Apparel=== Until the [[Middle Ages]], most baptisms were performed with the candidates naked—as is evidenced by most of the early portrayals of baptism (some of which are shown in this article), and the early Church Fathers and other Christian writers. Deaconesses helped female candidates for reasons of modesty.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.womendeacons.org/the-woman-deacons-role-at-baptism/ |title=The Woman Deacon's role at Baptism |access-date=June 23, 2022| publisher=Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research}}</ref> Typical of these is [[Cyril of Jerusalem]] who wrote "On the Mysteries of Baptism" in the 4th century (c. 350 AD): {{blockquote|Do you not know, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into His death? etc... for you are not under the Law, but under grace. 1. Therefore, I shall necessarily lay before you the sequel of yesterday's Lecture, that you may learn of what those things, which were done by you in the inner chamber, were symbolic. 2. As soon, then, as you entered, you put off your tunic; and this was an image of putting off the old man with his deeds.<ref>{{bibleverse|Colossians|3:9}}</ref> Having stripped yourselves, you were naked; in this also imitating Christ, who was stripped naked on the Cross, and by His nakedness put off from Himself the principalities and powers, and openly triumphed over them on the tree. For since the adverse powers made their lair in your members, you may no longer wear that old garment; I do not at all mean this visible one, but the old man, which waxes corrupt in the lusts of deceit.<ref>{{bibleverse|Ephesians|4:22}}</ref> May the soul which has once put him off, never again put him on, but say with the Spouse of Christ in the Song of Songs, I have put off my garment, how shall I put it on?<ref>{{bibleverse|Song of Songs|5:3|}}</ref> O wondrous thing! You were naked in the sight of all, and were not ashamed; for truly ye bore the likeness of the first-formed Adam, who was naked in the garden, and was not ashamed. 3. Then, when you were stripped, you were anointed with exorcised oil, from the very hairs of your head to your feet, and were made partakers of the good olive-tree, Jesus Christ. 4. After these things, you were led to the holy pool of Divine Baptism, as Christ was carried from the Cross to the Sepulchre which is before our eyes. And each of you was asked, whether he believed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and you made that saving confession, and descended three times into the water, and ascended again; here also hinting by a symbol at the three days burial of Christ.... And at the self-same moment you were both dying and being born;<ref>Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture 20 (On the Mysteries. II. of Baptism) {{Bibleverse|Romans|6:3–14}} http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310120.htm</ref>|author=Cyril of Jerusalem|title=Catechetical Lecture 20 (On the Mysteries. II. of Baptism)|source=Romans 6:3–14}} The symbolism is threefold: 1. Baptism is considered to be a form of rebirth—"by water and the Spirit"<ref name="bibleverse|John|3:5">{{bibleverse|John|3:5}}</ref>—the nakedness of baptism (the second birth) paralleled the condition of one's original birth. For example, John Chrysostom calls the baptism "λοχείαν", i.e., giving birth, and "new way of creation...from water and Spirit" ("to John" speech 25,2), and later elaborates: : {{Blockquote|For nothing perceivable was handed over to us by Jesus; but with perceivable things, all of them however conceivable. This is also the way with the baptism; the gift of the water is done with a perceivable thing, but the things being conducted, i.e., the rebirth and renovation, are conceivable. For, if you were without a body, He would hand over these bodiless gifts as naked [gifts] to you. But because the soul is closely linked to the body, He hands over the perceivable ones to you with conceivable things. (Chrysostom to Matthew, speech 82, 4, c. 390 A.D.)}} 2. The removal of clothing represented the "image of putting off the old man with his deeds" (as per Cyril, above), so the stripping of the body before for baptism represented taking off the trappings of sinful self, so that the "new man", which is given by Jesus, can be put on. [[File:Rosa Hagström & Lars Ridderstedt II 1948.jpg|thumb|upright|Long laced gown worn at a typical Lutheran baptism in Sweden in 1948]] 3. As Cyril again asserts above, as Adam and Eve in scripture were naked, innocent and unashamed in the Garden of Eden, nakedness during baptism was seen as a renewal of that innocence and state of original sinlessness. Other parallels can also be drawn, such as between the exposed condition of Christ during His crucifixion, and the crucifixion of the "old man" of the repentant sinner in preparation for baptism. Changing customs and concerns regarding modesty probably contributed to the practice of permitting or requiring the baptismal candidate to either retain their undergarments (as in many Renaissance paintings of baptism such as those by [[da Vinci]], [[Tintoretto]], [[Van Scorel]], [[Masaccio]], [[de Wit]] and others) or to wear, as is almost universally the practice today, baptismal robes. These robes are most often white, symbolizing purity. Some groups today allow any suitable clothes to be worn, such as trousers and a [[T-shirt]]—practical considerations include how easily the clothes will dry ([[denim]] is discouraged), and whether they will become see-through when wet.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} In certain Christian denominations, the individual being baptized receives a [[cross necklace]] that is worn for the rest of their life as a "sign of the triumph of Christ over death and our belonging to Christ" (though it is replaced with a new cross pendant if lost or broken).<ref name="Samaan2010"/><ref name="Konstantopoulos2017"/> This practice of baptized Christians wearing a cross necklace at all times is derived from Canon 73 and Canon 82 of the [[Third Council of Constantinople|Sixth Ecumenical Council (Synod) of Constantinople]], which declared: {{blockquote|...all the [[Sunday School|Church (Sunday) School]] children [must] wear a cross knowing how spiritually beneficial it is for them. By wearing a cross the child is protected from evil forces, it invites the grace of the Holy Cross of Christ, it brings His Divine blessing upon the child, it gives the child a sense that he or she belongs to Christ, that he or she has a special identity, that of a Christian, it is a reminder that Christ is always with him/her, it reminds the child that Jesus died on the Cross to save him/her, that Jesus Christ is our Only Savior and the True God. By wearing a cross the child feels the love of God and gives the child hope and strength to overcome any obstacle in his or her life.<ref name="Konstantopoulos2017"/>|author=Konstantopoulos|source=2017}} ==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" /> ==Practitioners== [[File:River baptism in New Bern.jpg|thumb|right|A river baptism in [[North Carolina]] at the turn of the 20th century. Full-immersion (submersion) baptism continues to be a common practice in many African-American Christian congregations today.]] ===Protestantism=== ====Anabaptist==== Early Anabaptists were given that name because they re-baptized persons who they felt had not been properly baptized, as they did not recognize infant baptism.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Anabaptist | title = Online Etymological Dictionary | orig-date = 2001 | year = 2010 | first = Douglas | last = Harper | contribution = Anabaptist | access-date = August 6, 2013}}</ref> The traditional form of Anabaptist baptism was pouring, the form commonly used in Western Christianity in the early 16th century when they emerged. Pouring continues to be normative in [[Mennonite]], [[Amish]] and [[Hutterite]] traditions of Anabaptist Christianity.<ref name="KurianDay2017">{{cite book |last1=Kurian |first1=George Thomas |last2=Day |first2=Sarah Claudine |title=The Essential Handbook of Denominations and Ministries |date=14 March 2017 |publisher=Baker Books |isbn=978-1-4934-0640-1 |language=en |quote=The Conservative Mennonite Conference practices believer's baptism, seen as an external symbol of internal spiritual purity and performed by immersion or pouring of water on the head; Communion; washing the feet of the saints, following Jesus's example and reminding believers of the need to be washed of pride, rivalry, and selfish motives; anointing the sick with oil--a symbol of the Holy Spirit and of the healing power of God--offered with the prayer of faith; and laying on of hands for ordination, symbolizing the imparting of responsibility and of God's power to fulfill that responsibility.}}</ref><ref name="Kraybill2010">{{cite book |last1=Kraybill |first1=Donald B. |title=Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites |date=1 November 2010 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-0-8018-9911-9 |page=23 |language=English |quote=All Amish, Hutterites, and most Mennonites baptized by pouring or sprinkling.}}</ref> The [[Mennonite Brethren Church]], [[Schwarzenau Brethren]] and [[River Brethren]] denominations of Anabaptist Christianity practice immersion. The Schwarzenau church immerses in the forward position three times, for each person of the Holy Trinity and because "the Bible says Jesus bowed his head (letting it fall forward) and died. Baptism represents a dying of the old, sinful self."<ref name="Durnbaugh1983">{{cite book |last1=Durnbaugh |first1=Donald F. |title=The Brethren Encyclopedia |date=1983 |publisher=Brethren Encyclopedia, Incorporated |isbn=978-0-318-00487-7 |page=82 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Mitchell2007">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Larry |title=Old Brethren follow distinctive practices |url=https://www.chicoer.com/2007/11/04/old-brethren-follow-distinctive-practices/ |publisher=[[Chico Enterprise-Record]] |access-date=11 May 2022 |language=English |date=4 November 2007}}</ref> Today all modes of baptism (such as pouring and immersion) can be found among Anabaptists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baptism - GAMEO |url=https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Baptism |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=gameo.org}}</ref> [[Conservative Mennonites|Conservative Mennonite Anabaptists]] count baptism to be one of the [[Ordinance (Christianity)|seven ordinances]].<ref name="Hartzler2013">{{cite book |last1=Hartzler |first1=Rachel Nafziger |title=No Strings Attached: Boundary Lines in Pleasant Places: A History of Warren Street / Pleasant Oaks Mennonite Church |date=30 April 2013 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-62189-635-7 |language=English}}</ref> In [[Anabaptist theology]], baptism is a part of the process of salvation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fretz |first1=Clarence Y. |title=How To Make SURE You Are Saved |url=https://www.anabaptists.org/tracts/saved.html |publisher=Anabaptists |access-date=22 May 2021 |language=English}}</ref> For Anabaptists, "believer's baptism consists of three parts, the Spirit, the water, and the blood—these three witnesses on earth."<ref name="Eby">{{cite web |last1=Eby |first1=Edwin R. |title=Early Anabaptist Positions on Believer's Baptism and a Challenge for Today |url=https://www.pilgrimministry.org/literature/early-anabaptist-positions-on-believer%E2%80%99s-baptism-and-a-challenge-for-today |publisher=Pilgrim Mennonite Conference |access-date=11 May 2022 |language=English |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511071751/https://www.pilgrimministry.org/literature/early-anabaptist-positions-on-believer%E2%80%99s-baptism-and-a-challenge-for-today }}</ref> According to [[Anabaptist theology]]: (1) In believer's baptism, the Holy Spirit witnesses the candidate entering into a [[covenant (religion)|covenant]] with God.<ref name="Eby"/> (2) God, in believer's baptism, "grants a baptized believer the water of baptism as a sign of His covenant with them—that such a one indicates and publicly confesses that he wants to live in true obedience towards God and fellow believers with a blameless life."<ref name="Eby"/> (3) Integral to believer's baptism is the candidate's mission to witness to the world even unto [[Christian martyr|martyrdom]], echoing Jesus' words that "they would be baptized with His baptism, witnessing to the world when their blood was spilt."<ref name="Eby"/> ====Baptist==== For the majority of Baptists, Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.<ref>{{bibleverse|Matthew|28:19}}</ref><ref name="BFM">{{cite web |title=VII. Baptism and the Lord's Supper |url-status=dead |work=The Baptist Faith and Message |publisher=Southern Baptist Convention |access-date=July 29, 2009 |url=http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#vii |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303000119/http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#vii |archive-date=March 3, 2009 }}</ref> Baptism does not accomplish anything in itself, but is an outward personal sign that the person's sins have already been washed away by the blood of Christ's cross.<ref name="London">{{cite web |url-status=dead |title=London Baptist Confession of 1644 |at=XVII. |url=http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/bc1644.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617103253/http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/bc1644.htm |archive-date=June 17, 2010 |website=The Spurgeon Archive }}</ref> [[File:Brownlow-immersion-attack-1856.jpg|thumb|Engraving from [[William G. Brownlow]]'s book ''The Great Iron Wheel Examined'', showing a Baptist minister changing clothes in front of horrified women after administering a [[#Submersion|baptism by immersion]].]]For a new convert the general practice is that baptism also allows the person to be a registered member of the local Baptist congregation (though some churches have adopted "new members classes" as an additional mandatory step for congregational membership).{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Regarding rebaptism the general rules are:{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} * baptisms by other than immersion are not recognized as valid and therefore rebaptism by immersion is required; and * baptisms by immersion in other denominations may be considered valid if performed after the person having professed faith in Jesus Christ (though among the more conservative groups such as [[Independent Baptists]], rebaptism may be required by the local congregation if performed in a non-Baptist church – and, in extreme cases, even if performed within a Baptist church that wasn't an Independent Baptist congregation) For newborns, there is a ceremony called [[child dedication]].<ref>David Blankenhorn, ''The Faith Factor in Fatherhood: Renewing the Sacred Vocation of Fathering'', Lexington Books, USA, 1999, p. 103</ref> [[Tennessee]] [[Antebellum South|antebellum]] [[Southern Methodist|Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]] and newspaper publisher [[William G. Brownlow]] stated within his 1856 book ''The Great Iron Wheel Examined; or, Its False Spokes Extracted, and an Exhibition of Elder Graves, Its Builder'' that the immersion baptism practiced within the Baptist churches as found within the United States did not extend in a "regular line of succession...from John the Baptist – but from old Zeke Holliman and his true yoke-fellow, [[Roger Williams|Mr. [Roger] Williams]]" as during 1639 Holliman and Williams first immersion baptized each other and then immersion baptized the ten other members of the [[First Baptist Church in America|first Baptist church]] in [[British America]] at [[Providence, Rhode Island]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brownlow |first=William Gannaway |url=http://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9Kw8AAAAYAAJ |title=The great iron wheel examined; or, its false spokes extracted, and an exhibition of Elder Graves, its builder |date=1856 |publisher=Nashville, Tenn., For the author |others=unknown library}}</ref> ====Churches of Christ==== Baptism in [[Churches of Christ]] is performed only by full bodily immersion,<ref name="Perfect Stranger">{{cite book|first1=Stuart M. |last1=Matlins |first2=Arthur J. |last2= Magida |first3=J. |last3=Magida |title= How to Be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People's Religious Ceremonies |publisher= Wood Lake Publishing |year=1999 |isbn= 978-1-896836-28-7 |chapter= Churches of Christ}}</ref>{{rp |107}}<ref name= "Rhodes 2005">{{cite book |first=Ron |last=Rhodes |title=The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations |publisher= Harvest House |year= 2005 |isbn= 0-7369-1289-4}}</ref>{{rp|124}} based on the [[Koine Greek]] verb ''baptizo'' which means to dip, immerse, submerge or plunge.<ref name="Who Are the churches of Christ">{{cite book |last=Baxter |first=Batsell Barrett |author-link=Batsell Barrett Baxter |url=http://www.woodsonchapel.com/coc.php/ |title=Who are the churches of Christ and what do they believe in? |access-date=September 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131110444/http://www.woodsonchapel.com/coc.php/ |archive-date=January 31, 2008 |df=mdy}}, and [http://church-of-christ.org/who.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209022100/http://church-of-christ.org/who.html|date=February 9, 2014}}, {{cite web |title=Church of Christ |url=http://www.cris.com/~mmcoc/coc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509163609/http://www.cris.com/~mmcoc/coc.html |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |access-date=2009-09-10}} and {{cite web |title=Who are the Churches of Christ? |url=http://www.scripturessay.com/article.php?cat%3D%26id%3D6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130131444/http://scripturessay.com/article.php?cat=&id=6 |archive-date=November 30, 2010 |access-date=September 10, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Understanding Four Views on Baptism">{{cite book |first1= Tom J. |last1=Nettles | first2=Richard L. Jr. | last2=Pratt |first3=John H. |last3= Armstrong |first4=Robert |last4=Kolb |title=Understanding Four Views on Baptism |publisher=Zondervan |year=2007 |isbn= 978-0-310-26267-1}}</ref>{{rp|139}}<ref name="Howard 1971">{{cite book |first=V. E. |last=Howard |title=What Is the Church of Christ? |edition=4th |publisher= Central Printers & Publishers |location= West Monroe, [[Louisiana|LO]] |year= 1971}}</ref>{{rp|313–14}}<ref name= "Baptism, Why Wait?">{{cite book |first=Rees |last= Bryant |title=Baptism, Why Wait?: Faith's Response in Conversion |publisher=College Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-89900-858-5}}</ref>{{rp|22}}<ref name="Wharton 1997">{{cite book |first=Edward C. |last= Wharton |title=The Church of Christ: The Distinctive Nature of the New Testament Church |publisher= Gospel Advocate |year=1997 |isbn= 0-89225-464-5}}</ref>{{rp|45–46}} Submersion is seen as more closely conforming to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus than other modes of baptism.<ref name= "Who Are the churches of Christ" /><ref name="Understanding Four Views on Baptism" />{{rp|140}}<ref name= "Howard 1971" />{{rp|314–16}} Churches of Christ argue that historically immersion was the mode used in the 1st century, and that pouring and sprinkling later emerged as secondary modes when immersion was not possible.<ref name="Understanding Four Views on Baptism" />{{rp|140}} Over time these secondary modes came to replace immersion.<ref name="Understanding Four Views on Baptism" />{{rp|140}} Only those mentally capable of belief and repentance are baptized (i.e., [[infant baptism]] is not practiced because the New Testament has no precedent for it).<ref name="Rhodes 2005" />{{rp|124}}<ref name= "Who Are the churches of Christ" /><ref name= "Howard 1971" />{{rp |318–19}}<ref name= "Ferguson 1996">{{cite book |first=Everett |last= Ferguson |author-link= Everett Ferguson |title=The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans |year=1996 |isbn= 978-0-8028-4189-6}}</ref>{{rp|195}} 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">{{cite book |first1= Douglas Allen |last1=Foster |first2= Anthony L. |last2= Dunnavant |title=The Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans |year=2004 |isbn= 978-0-8028-3898-8 |chapter=entry on ''Baptism''}}</ref>{{rp|61}} The most significant disagreements concerned the extent to which a correct understanding of the role of baptism is necessary for its validity.<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|p.61}} [[David Lipscomb]] insisted that if a believer was baptized out of a desire to obey God, the baptism was valid, even if the individual did not fully understand the role baptism plays in salvation.<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|61}} [[Austin McGary]] contended that to be valid, the convert must also understand that baptism is for the forgiveness of sins.<ref name= "Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|62}} McGary's view became the prevailing one in the early 20th century, but the approach advocated by Lipscomb never totally disappeared.<ref name= "Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp |62}} As such, the general practice among churches of Christ is to require rebaptism by immersion of converts, even those who were previously baptized by immersion in other churches.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} More recently, the rise of the [[International Churches of Christ]] has caused some to reexamine the issue.<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|66}} 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|66}} Baptism is 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" />{{rp|112}} While Churches of Christ do not describe baptism as a "sacrament", their view of it can legitimately be described as "sacramental".<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp |66}}<ref name="Baptism, Why Wait?" />{{rp|186}} They see the power of baptism coming from God, who chose to use baptism as a vehicle, rather than from the water or the act itself,<ref name= "Baptism, Why Wait?" />{{rp|186}} and understand baptism to be an integral part of the conversion process, rather than just a symbol of conversion.<ref name= "Baptism, Why Wait?" />{{rp |184}} A recent trend is to emphasize the transformational aspect of baptism: instead of describing it as just a legal requirement or sign of something that happened in the past, it is seen as "the event that places the believer 'into Christ' where God does the ongoing work of transformation."<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|66}} There is a minority that downplays the importance of baptism to avoid sectarianism, but the broader trend is to "reexamine the richness of the biblical teaching of baptism and to reinforce its central and essential place in Christianity."<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Baptism" />{{rp|66}} 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">Douglas A. Foster, [http://www.acu.edu/sponsored/restoration_quarterly/archives/2000s/vol_43_no_2_contents/foster.html "Churches of Christ and Baptism: An Historical and Theological Overview,"] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100520041454/http://www.acu.edu/sponsored/restoration_quarterly/archives/2000s/vol_43_no_2_contents/foster.html |date=May 20, 2010}} ''[[Restoration Quarterly]]'', Volume 43/Number 2 (2001).</ref> 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|133}}<ref name= "Foster" /><ref name="Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Regeneration">{{cite book |first1=Douglas Allen |last1=Foster |first2=Anthony L. |last2= Dunnavant |title=The Encyclopedia of the Stone–Campbell Movement: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |year=2004 |isbn= 978-0-8028-3898-8 |chapter= entry on ''Regeneration''}}</ref>{{rp|630–31}} Rather, their inclination is to point to the biblical passage in which Peter, analogizing baptism to Noah's flood, posits that "likewise baptism doth also now save us" but parenthetically clarifies that baptism is "''not'' the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the ''response of a good conscience'' toward God" (1 Peter 3:21).<ref>[[KJV]], italics inserted.</ref> One author from the churches of Christ describes the relationship between faith and baptism this way, "''Faith'' is the ''reason why'' a person is a child of God; ''baptism'' is the ''time at which'' one is incorporated into Christ and so becomes a child of God" (italics are in the source).<ref name= "Ferguson 1996" />{{rp |170}} Baptism is understood as a confessional expression of faith and repentance,<ref name="Ferguson 1996" />{{rp|179–82}} rather than a "work" that earns salvation.<ref name= "Ferguson 1996" />{{rp |170}} ====Lutheranism==== {{Further|Lutheran sacraments}} In [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Christianity]], baptism is a sacrament that [[baptismal regeneration|regenerates the soul]].<ref name="Schmid1876">{{cite book |last1=Schmid |first1=Heinrich |title=The Doctrinal Theology of the Evangelical Lutheran Church |date=1876 |publisher=Lutheran Publication Society |page=595 |language=en|quote=By Baptism we are regenerated and renewed; by the Lord's Supper we are fed and nourished unto eternal life. In ''Baptism'', especially that of infants, faith is kindled by the Holy Spirit; in the use of the ''Supper'' it is increased, confirmed, and sealed. By ''Baptism'' we are grafted into Christ; by the ''salutary use of the Lord's Supper'' we receive a spiritual increase in this relation. By ''Baptism'' we are received into the divine covenant; by the ''use of the Eucharist'' we are preserved in it, or, when we fall from it by sins against conscience, we are restored to it by true penitence.}}</ref> Upon one's baptism, one receives the [[Holy Spirit]] and becomes a part of the church.<ref name="Schmid1876"/> According to Martin Luther's [[Luther's Small Catechism|Small Catechism]], it is the word and command of God "in and with the water" that gives baptism its power which "works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Luther |first=Martin |date= |title=The Small Catechism: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism |url=https://bookofconcord.org/small-catechism/the-sacrament-of-holy-baptism/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 April 2024 |website=Book of Concord.org}}</ref> In Lutheran theology, baptism is not viewed as a work that the baptizant performs in obedience to the law, but rather a work of God that is received by faith, which "clings to the water."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Luther |first=Martin |date= |title=The Large Catechism: Holy Baptism |url=https://bookofconcord.org/large-catechism/holy-baptism/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 April 2024 |website=Book of Concord.org}}</ref> ====Methodism==== [[File:Baptistry (United Methodist Church of the Saviour).jpg|thumb|upright|A baptistry in a [[Methodist]] church]] The Methodist [[Articles of Religion (Methodist)|Articles of Religion]], with regard to baptism, teach:<ref name="NettlesPrattKolbCastelein2009">{{cite book|title=Understanding Four Views on Baptism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jUmAMlP8YOYC&pg=PA92|year=2009|publisher=Zondervan|language=en|isbn=978-0310866985|page=92|quote=Thomas J. Nettles, Richard L. Pratt Jr., Robert Kolb, John D. Castelein}}</ref> {{blockquote|Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The Baptism of young children is to be retained in the Church.<ref name="NettlesPrattKolbCastelein2009"/>}} While baptism imparts grace, Methodists teach that a [[Born again#Methodism|personal acceptance of Jesus Christ]] (the first work of grace) is essential to one's salvation;<ref name="FMC2008">{{cite web |title=Baptism and Dedication |url=https://www.fmcic.ca/baptism-and-dedication/ |publisher=[[Free Methodist Church]] |date=3 December 2008 |quote=When they baptize babies, pastors should make sure that their prayers include clear requests that God will bring the children to a personal faith that "owns" what the parents are promising at a time when the children (who "belong" from day one) cannot act for themselves. And when they dedicate children, pastors should make sure that their prayers include clear gratitude to God for the fact that he is already at work in the life of that child, who already "belongs" in the Christian community. Here's what must be stressed: whether at the time of baptism (in the adult baptism tradition) or at the time of confirmation when the vows made earlier by the parents are personally "owned" (in the infant baptism tradition), it is faith in Jesus (dependent trust, not mere cognitive affirmation) that is crucial. Paul goes so far as to say that without faith and obedience, the old rite of circumcision has no value (Romans 2:25). The same is true of baptism. With either rite, clear evangelistic follow-through is crucial.}}</ref><ref name="UMC – By Water and the Spirit"/> during the second work of grace, [[entire sanctification]], a believer is purified of [[original sin]] and made [[holy]].<ref name="Stokes1998">{{cite book|last=Stokes|first=Mack B.|title=Major United Methodist Beliefs|year=1998|publisher=Abingdon Press|language=English|isbn=978-0687082124|page=95}}</ref><ref name="Whidden2005">{{cite web |last1=Whidden |first1=Woodrow W. |title=Adventist Theology: The Wesleyan Connection |url=https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/es/node/203 |publisher=Biblical Research Institute |access-date=30 June 2019 |language=English |date=18 April 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630044749/https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/es/node/203|archive-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> As such, in the Methodist tradition, [[Baptism with the Holy Spirit]] has referred to the second work of grace, [[Christian perfection|entire sanctification]] (Christian perfection).<ref name="UMC2012"/> In the [[Methodist Church]]es, baptism is a [[sacrament]] of initiation into the [[visible Church]].<ref name="StuartChappell1922">{{cite book|last1=Stuart|first1=George Rutledge|last2=Chappell|first2=Edwin Barfield|title=What Every Methodist Should Know|url=https://archive.org/details/whateverymethod00chapgoog|year=1922|publisher=Lamar & Barton|language=en |page=[https://archive.org/details/whateverymethod00chapgoog/page/n86 83]}}</ref> [[Covenant theology#Wesleyan covenant theology|Wesleyan covenant theology]] further teaches that baptism is a sign and a seal of the covenant of grace:<ref name="Summers1857">{{cite book|last=Summers|first=Thomas Osmond|title=Methodist Pamphlets for the People|year=1857|publisher=E. Stevenson & F. A. Owen for the M. E. Church, South|language=en|page=18}}</ref> {{blockquote|Of this great new-covenant blessing, baptism was therefore eminently the ''sign''; and it represented "the ''pouring out''" of the Spirit, "the ''descending''" of the Spirit, the "falling" of the Spirit "upon men", by the mode in which it was administered, the pouring of water from above upon the subjects baptized. As a seal, also, or ''confirming'' sign, baptism answers to circumcision.<ref name="Summers1857"/>}} Methodists recognize three modes of baptism as being valid—"immersion, sprinkling, or pouring" in the name of the [[Holy Trinity]].<ref name="AWMC2014">{{cite book|title=The Discipline of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection (Original Allegheny Conference)|year=2014|publisher=[[Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection]]|location=[[Salem, Ohio|Salem]]|language=en|page=140}}</ref> ====Moravianism==== The [[Moravian Church]] teaches that baptism is a sign and a seal, recognizing three modes of baptism as being valid: immersion, aspersion, and affusion.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Sacrament of Baptism |date=June 19, 2018 |url=https://www.moravian.org/2018/06/the-sacrament-of-baptism/ |publisher=[[Moravian Church]] |access-date=13 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> ====Reformed Protestantism==== {{Main|Reformed baptismal theology}} In [[Reformed baptismal theology]], baptism is seen as primarily God's offer of [[union with Christ]] and all his benefits to the baptized. This offer is believed to be intact even when it is not received in faith by the person baptized.<ref>{{cite book |last=Riggs |first=John W. |title=Baptism in the Reformed Tradition: A Historical and Practical Theology |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |year=2002 |isbn=0-664-21966-7 |location=Louisville, KY |page=119}}</ref> Reformed theologians believe the Holy Spirit brings into effect the promises signified in baptism.<ref>{{cite book |last=Allen |first=R. Michael |title=Reformed Theology |url=https://archive.org/details/reformedtheology00alle |url-access=limited |year=2010 |publisher=[[T&T Clark]] |location=New York |isbn=978-0-567-03430-4 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/reformedtheology00alle/page/n135 123]–124}}</ref> Baptism is held by almost the entire Reformed tradition to effect regeneration, even in infants who are incapable of faith, by effecting faith which would come to fruition later.<ref>{{cite book |last=Riggs |first=John W. |title=Baptism in the Reformed Tradition: A Historical and Practical Theology |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |year=2002 |isbn=0-664-21966-7 |location=Louisville, KY |page=121}}</ref> Baptism also initiates one into the [[visible church]] and the [[covenant of grace]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Riggs |first=John W. |title=Baptism in the Reformed Tradition: A Historical and Practical Theology |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |year=2002 |isbn=0-664-21966-7 |location=Louisville, KY |page=120}}</ref> Baptism is seen as a replacement of [[circumcision]], which is considered the rite of initiation into the covenant of grace in the Old Testament.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fesko |first=J. V. |title = Word, Water, and Spirit: A Reformed Perspective on Baptism |year=2013 |orig-date=2010 |publisher=Reformation Heritage Books |isbn=978-1-60178-282-3 |location=Grand Rapids, MI |page=159}}</ref> Reformed Christians believe that immersion is not necessary for baptism to be properly performed, but that pouring or sprinkling are acceptable.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rohls |first=Jan |year=1998 |title=Theologie reformierter Bekenntnisschriften |trans-title=Reformed Confessions: Theology from Zurich to Barmen |language=de |location=Louisville, Kentucky |publisher=[[Westminster John Knox Press]] |isbn=0-664-22078-9 |others=Translated by John Hoffmeyer |orig-date=1987 |page=207}}</ref> Only ordained ministers are permitted to administer baptism in Reformed churches, with no allowance for [[emergency baptism]], though baptisms performed by non-ministers are generally considered valid.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rohls |first=Jan |year=1998 |title=Theologie reformierter Bekenntnisschriften |trans-title=Reformed Confessions: Theology from Zurich to Barmen |language=de |location=Louisville, Kentucky |publisher=[[Westminster John Knox Press]] |isbn=0-664-22078-9 |others=Translated by John Hoffmeyer |orig-date=1987 |pages=207–208}}</ref> Reformed churches, while rejecting the baptismal ceremonies of the Roman Catholic church, accept the validity of baptisms performed with them and do not rebaptize.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rohls |first=Jan |year=1998 |title=Theologie reformierter Bekenntnisschriften |trans-title=Reformed Confessions: Theology from Zurich to Barmen |language=de |location=Louisville, Kentucky |publisher=[[Westminster John Knox Press]] |isbn=0-664-22078-9 |others=Translated by John Hoffmeyer |orig-date=1987 |page=209}}</ref> ====United Protestants==== In [[United Protestant Church]]es, such as the [[United Church of Canada]], [[Church of North India]], [[Church of Pakistan]], [[Church of South India]], [[Protestant Church in the Netherlands]], [[Uniting Church in Australia]] and [[United Church of Christ in Japan]], baptism is a [[sacrament]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Baptism and Communion |url=https://united-church.ca/community-and-faith/welcome-united-church-canada/what-we-believe/baptism-and-communion |publisher=[[United Church of Canada]] |access-date=28 March 2021 |language=English}}</ref> ===Catholicism=== {{Religious text primary|date=February 2022}} {{see also|Sacraments of the Catholic Church|Baptismal vows|Parish register}} [[File:Bautizo (68227747).jpeg|thumb|Catholic Baptism using a scallop]] In Catholic teaching, baptism is stated to be "necessary for salvation by actual reception or at least by desire".<ref name="can849">{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2T.HTM |title=Code of Canon Law, canon 849 |publisher=Intratext.com |date=May 4, 2007 |access-date=February 25, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090115174636/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2T.HTM| archive-date= January 15, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Catholic discipline requires the baptism ceremony to be performed by deacons, [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|priests]], or bishops, but in an emergency such as danger of death, anyone can licitly baptize. This teaching is based on the [[Gospel according to John]] which says that Jesus proclaimed: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God."<ref>{{bibleverse|John|3:5|RSV}}</ref> It dates back to the teachings and practices of 1st-century Christians, and the connection between salvation and baptism was not, on the whole, an item of major dispute until [[Huldrych Zwingli]] denied the necessity of baptism, which he saw as merely a sign granting admission to the Christian community.<ref name="cross2005baptism"/> The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament."<ref name="vatican">{{cite web|year=1993|title=The Necessity of Baptism|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3M.HTM|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221160536/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3M.HTM|archive-date=February 21, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2009|work=[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]|publisher=[[Vatican Publishing House]]}}</ref> The [[Council of Trent]] also states in the ''Decree Concerning Justification'' from session six that baptism is necessary for salvation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Council of Trent Session 6 |url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/councils/trent6.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626235233/http://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/TRENT6.htm |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |access-date=November 3, 2012 |at=Session 6}}</ref> A person who knowingly, willfully and unrepentantly rejects baptism has no hope of salvation. However, if knowledge is absent, "those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience."<ref>{{cite web|title=LUMEN GENTIUM |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html |work=Vatican II |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906031754/https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html |archive-date=September 6, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> The Catechism of the Catholic Church also states: "Since Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil, one or more [[exorcism]]s are pronounced over the candidate".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3J.HTM |title=Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1237 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> In the [[Roman Rite]] of the baptism of a child, the wording of the prayer of exorcism is: "Almighty and ever-living God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness and bring him into the splendour of your kingdom of light. We pray for this child: set him (her) free from original sin, make him (her) a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him (her). Through Christ our Lord."<ref>Rite of Baptism of Children, 86</ref> In the Catholic Church by baptism all sins are forgiven, [[original sin]] and all personal sins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ocp.org/what-is-baptism |first1=Jethro |last1=Higgins |date= March 27, 2018 |title=What is Baptism? |publisher=Oregon Catholic Press |access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref> 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", member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit. Given once for all, baptism cannot be repeated: just as a man can be born only once, so he is baptized only once. For this reason the holy [[father of the Church|Fathers]] added to the [[Nicene Creed]] the words ''We acknowledge one Baptism''.<ref name="The Aquinas Cathechism">''[https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Aquinas_Catechism/gT6QAQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA84&printsec=frontcover The Aquinas Cathechism]'', Sophia Institute Press, foreword of Ralph Mclnerry, 2000 p. 84. {{ISBN|978-1-928832-10-2}}</ref> Sanctifying grace, the grace of justification, given by God by baptism, erases the original sin and personal actual sins.<ref>Catechism of the Catholic Church: THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM</ref> The power of Baptism consists in cleansing a man from all his sins as regards both guild and punishment, for which reason no penance is imposed on those who receive Baptism, no matter how great their sins may have been. And if they were to die immediately after Baptism, they would rise at once to eternal life.<ref name="The Aquinas Cathechism" /> In the [[Latin Church]] of the Catholic Church a valid baptism requires, according to Canon 758 of the [[1917 Code of Canon Law]], the baptizer to pronounce the formula "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" while putting the baptized in contact with water. The contact may be immersion, "affusion" (pouring), or "aspersion" (sprinkling).<ref name="Peters2001">{{cite book |last1=Peters |first1=Edward N. |title=The 1917 Or Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law: In English Translation with Extensive Scholarly Apparatus |date=2001 |publisher=[[Ignatius Press]] |isbn=978-0-89870-831-8 |page=280 |language=en}}</ref> The formula requires "name" to be singular, emphasising the [[monotheism]] of the [[Trinity]].<ref>''Ordo initiationis christanae adultorum'', editio typica, Vatican City, Typis polyglottis vaticanis, 1972, pg 92, cf Lateran IV ''De Fide Catholica'', DS 802, cf Florence, ''Decretum pro Armeniis'', DS, 1317.</ref> It is claimed that [[Pope Stephen I]], [[Ambrose]] and [[Pope Nicholas I]] declared that baptisms in the name of "Jesus" only as well as in the name of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" were valid. The correct interpretation of their words is disputed.<ref name="cathen" /> Current [[canonical law]] requires the Trinitarian formula and water for validity.<ref name="can849" /> The formula requires "I baptize" rather than "we baptize", as clarified by a [[responsum]] of June 24, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Responses to Questions Proposed: On the validity of Baptism conferred with the formula "We baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2020/08/06/0406/00923.html#rispostein |website=press.vatican.va |date=6 August 2020 |access-date=16 February 2022}}</ref> In 2022 the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix|Diocese of Phoenix]] accepted the resignation of a parish priest whose use of "we baptize" had invalidated "thousands of baptisms over more than 20 years".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Medina |first1=Eduardo |title=Pastor Resigns After Incorrectly Performing Thousands of Baptisms |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/14/us/catholic-priest-baptisms-phoenix.html |access-date=16 February 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=14 February 2022}}</ref> Note that in the [[Byzantine Rite]] the formla is in the passive voice, "The servant of God N. is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mci.archpitt.org/liturgy/Baptism.html |title=The Mystery of Baptism |work=The Holy Mysteries |publisher=Metropolitan Cantor Institute |access-date=2022-03-13 }}</ref> Offspring of practicing Catholic parents are typically baptized as infants. Baptism is part of the [[Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults]], provided for converts from non-Christian backgrounds and others not baptized as infants.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RCIA-Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults|url=https://cparl.org/rcia-rite-of-christian-initiation-for-adults|access-date=2021-03-19|website=Catholic Parishes of Arlington|language=en}}</ref> Baptism by non-Catholic Christians is valid if the formula and water are present, and so converts from other Christian denominations are not given a Catholic baptism. The church recognizes two equivalents of baptism with water: "[[baptism of blood]]" and "[[baptism of desire]]". Baptism of blood is that undergone by unbaptized individuals who are [[martyr]]ed for their faith, while baptism of desire generally applies to [[catechumen]]s who die before they can be baptized. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes these two forms:<ref>{{CCC|pp=1258}}</ref> <blockquote>The Church has always held the firm conviction that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith without having received Baptism are baptized by their death for and with Christ. This ''Baptism of blood'', like the desire for Baptism, brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament. :— 1258</blockquote> <blockquote>For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and [[Charity (virtue)|charity]], assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament. :— 1259</blockquote> The Catholic Church holds that those who are ignorant of Christ's Gospel and of the church, but who seek the truth and do God's will as they understand it, may be supposed to have an implicit desire for baptism and can be saved: {{"'}}Since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partakers, in a way known to God, of the Paschal mystery.' Every man who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P3M.HTM |title=Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1260 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> As for unbaptized infants, the church is unsure of their fate; "the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P3M.HTM |title=Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1261 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> ===Eastern Orthodoxy=== [[File:GreekOrthodoxBaptism1.jpg|thumb|An Orthodox baptism]] In Eastern Orthodoxy, baptism is considered a sacrament and mystery which transforms the old and sinful person into a new and pure one, where the old life, the sins, any mistakes made are gone and a clean slate is given. In [[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek]] and [[Russian Orthodox]] traditions, it is taught that through Baptism a person is united to the [[Body of Christ]] by becoming an official member of the Orthodox Church. During the service, the Orthodox priest blesses the [[Holy water in Eastern Christianity|water]] to be used. The catechumen (the one baptised) is fully immersed in the water three times in the name of the Trinity. This is considered to be a death of the "old man" by participation in the crucifixion and burial of Christ, and a rebirth into new life in Christ by participation in his resurrection.<ref name=Ware1993>{{Cite book |last= Ware |first=Kallistos |author-link=Timothy Ware |title=The Orthodox Church |publisher= Penguin Books | location =New York |year=1993 |pages=277–278 |isbn=0-14-014656-3 |oclc=263544700}}</ref>{{rp|pp=277–278}} Properly a new name is given, which becomes the person's name.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Babies of Orthodox families are normally baptized shortly after birth. Older converts to Orthodoxy are usually formally baptized into the Orthodox Church, though exceptions are sometimes made. Those who choose to convert from a different religion to Eastern Orthodoxy typically undergo [[Chrismation]], known as confirmation in the Roman Catholic Church.<ref>{{cite web |title=Christmations |url=https://stjohntpa.org/chrismations/ |website=St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church |access-date=27 October 2022}}</ref> Properly and generally, the Mystery of Baptism is administered by bishops and other priests; however, in emergencies any Orthodox Christian can baptize.<ref name=Ware1993/>{{rp|p=278}} In such cases, should the person survive the emergency, it is likely that the person will be properly baptized by a priest at some later date. This is not considered to be a second baptism, nor is it imagined that the person is not already Orthodox, but rather it is a fulfillment of the proper form.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} The service of baptism in [[Greek Orthodox]] (and other Eastern Orthodox) churches has remained largely unchanged for over 1500 years. This fact is witnessed to by [[Cyril of Jerusalem]] (d. 386), who, in his ''Discourse on the Sacrament of Baptism'', describes the service in much the same way as is currently in use.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Saint Cyril Bishop of Jerusalem |title=St. Cyril of Jerusalem's lectures on the Christian sacraments: the Procatechesis and the five mystagogical Catecheses |publisher=St. Vladimir's Seminary Press |others=F. L. Cross |year=c. 1986 |isbn=0-913836-39-7 |location=Crestwood, NY |oclc=13498176}}</ref> ===Other groups=== ====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" /> ====Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints==== [[File:Mormon baptism circa 1850s.png|thumb|right|upright=0.8|A Mormon baptism, circa the 1850s]] {{Main|Baptism in Mormonism}} In [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church), baptism is recognized as the first of several [[Ordinance (Latter Day Saints)|ordinances]] (rituals) of the [[gospel]].<ref>{{cite journal |first=Bruce D. |last=Porter |author-link=Bruce D. Porter |date=October 2000 |title=The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/10/the-first-principles-and-ordinances-of-the-gospel |access-date=March 24, 2009 |journal=[[Ensign (LDS magazine)|Ensign]]}}</ref> In [[Mormonism]], baptism has the main purpose of remitting the [[sin]]s of the participant. It is followed by [[Confirmation (Latter Day Saints)|confirmation]], which inducts the person into membership in the church and constitutes a [[baptism with the Holy Spirit]]. Latter-day Saints believe that baptism must be by full immersion, and by a precise ritualized ordinance: if some part of the participant is not fully immersed, or the ordinance was not recited verbatim, the ritual must be repeated.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/duties-and-blessings-of-the-priesthood-basic-manual-for-priesthood-holders-part-b/priesthood-and-church-government/lesson-5-performing-priesthood-ordinances?lang=eng |title= Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part B |chapter= Performing Priesthood Ordinances § Baptism |year= 2000 |pages= 41–48 |publisher= LDS Church }}</ref> It typically occurs in a [[baptismal font]].{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} In addition, members of the LDS Church do not believe a baptism is valid unless it is performed by a Latter-day Saint one who has proper authority (a [[Priest (Latter Day Saints)|priest]] or [[Elder (Latter Day Saints)|elder]]).<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/baptism-baptize?lang=eng |title= Guide to the Scriptures: Baptism, Baptize § Proper authority |website= churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher= LDS Church }}</ref> Authority is passed down through a form of [[apostolic succession]]. All new converts to the faith must be baptized or [[rebaptism (Mormonism)|re-baptized]]. Baptism is seen as symbolic both of Jesus' death, burial and [[Resurrection of Jesus|resurrection]]<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/baptism?lang=eng |title= Baptism |work= [[LDS edition of the Bible|KJV (LDS)]]: [[Bible Dictionary (LDS Church)|Bible Dictionary]] |publisher= LDS Church |year= 1979 }}</ref> and is also symbolic of the baptized individual discarding their "natural" self and donning a new identity as a disciple of Jesus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints |title=Baptism |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/article/baptism |website=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints}}</ref> According to Latter-day Saint theology, [[faith]] and [[repentance]] are prerequisites to baptism. The ritual does not cleanse the participant of [[original sin]], as Latter-day Saints do not believe the doctrine of original sin. Mormonism rejects [[infant baptism]]<ref>[[Book of Mormon]], {{Mormonverse|Moroni|8:4-23}}</ref><ref name="EoM Infant Baptism">{{citation |last= Parsons |first= Robert E. |contribution= Infant Baptism: LDS Perspective |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/3795 |page= 682 |editor1-last= Ludlow |editor1-first= Daniel H |editor1-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishing]] |year= 1992 |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism }}</ref> and baptism must occur after the [[age of accountability]], defined in Latter-day Saint scripture as eight years old.<ref>{{Mormonverse|D&C|68:25-27}}</ref><ref name="EoM Accountability">{{citation |last= Warner |first= C. Terry |author-link= C. Terry Warner |contribution= Accountability |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5446 |page= 13 |editor1-last= Ludlow |editor1-first= Daniel H |editor1-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishing]] |year= 1992 |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism }}</ref> Latter-day Saint theology also teaches [[baptism for the dead]] in which deceased ancestors are baptized vicariously by the living, and believe that their practice is what Paul wrote of in Corinthians 15:29. This occurs in [[Temple (Latter Day Saints)|Latter-day Saint temples]].<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/baptisms-for-the-dead?lang=eng |title= Gospel Topics: Baptisms for the Dead |website= churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher= LDS Church }}</ref><ref name="EoM Baptism for the dead">{{citation |last= Burton |first= H. David |author-link= H. David Burton |contribution= Baptism for the dead: LDS Practice |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5502 |pages= 95–97 |editor1-last= Ludlow |editor1-first= Daniel H |editor1-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishing]] |year= 1992 |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism }}</ref> ==== Freemasonry ==== Due to tensions between the Roman Catholic Church and Freemasons in France in the aftermath of the [[French Revolution]], French Freemasons developed rituals to replace those of the Church, including baptism. Chrétien-Guillaume Riebesthal's ''Rituel Maçonnique pour tous les Rites'' (Masonic Ritual for All Rites),<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sUJfAAAAcAAJ |title=Rituel maçonnique pour tous les rites |date=1827 |language=fr}}</ref> published in Strasbourg in 1826, includes one such baptismal rite.[https://journals.ku.edu/ygas/article/view/20050/18019] Lodges in Louisiana and Wisconsin performed baptism ceremonies in 1859, though they were widely condemned by their [[Grand Lodge]]s. In 1865, [[Albert Pike]], publicly performed a ceremony of Masonic baptism in New York City. The ceremony was greeted with skepticism by many American Masons including [[Albert Mackey]]. A ceremony for Masonic baptism was published by Charles T. McClenechan in 1884.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AASR - 1884 - Ceremony of Baptism in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite |url=http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/AASR_1884_/ceremony_of_baptism.htm |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=www.phoenixmasonry.org}}</ref> ==Non-practitioners== ===Quakers=== [[Quakers]] (members of the [[Religious Society of Friends]]) do not believe in the baptism of either children or adults with water, rejecting all forms of outward [[sacraments]] in their religious life. [[Robert Barclay]]'s ''Apology for the True Christian Divinity'' (a historic explanation of Quaker theology from the 17th century), explains Quakers' opposition to baptism with water thus: {{Blockquote|I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.<ref>{{bibleverse|Matthew|3:11}}</ref> Here John mentions two manners of baptizings and two different baptisms, the one with water, and the other with the Spirit, the one whereof he was the minister of, the other whereof Christ was the minister of: and such as were baptized with the first were not therefore baptized with the second: "I indeed baptize you, but he shall baptize you." Though in the present time they were baptized with the baptism of water, yet they were not as yet, but were to be, baptized with the baptism of Christ.|[[Robert Barclay]], 1678<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qhpress.org/texts/barclay/apology/prop12.html |title=Apology, Proposition 12 |publisher=Qhpress.org |access-date=July 28, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090617033930/http://www.qhpress.org/texts/barclay/apology/prop12.html| archive-date= June 17, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>}} [[Robert Barclay|Barclay]] argued that water baptism was only something that happened until the time of Christ, but that now, people are baptised inwardly by the spirit of Christ, and hence there is no need for the external sacrament of water baptism, which [[Quakers]] argue is meaningless.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} ===Salvation Army=== The [[Salvation Army]] does not practice water baptism, or indeed other outward [[sacraments]]. [[William Booth]] and [[Catherine Booth]], the founders of the [[Salvation Army]], believed that many Christians had come to rely on the outward signs of spiritual grace rather than on grace itself. They believed what was important was spiritual grace itself. However, although the [[Salvation Army]] does not practice baptism, they are not opposed to baptism within other Christian denominations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-print/C28E39B2CA06E8F98025708A003D9FAC?openDocument |title=Why does The Salvation Army not baptise or hold communion? |publisher=The Salvation Army |date=February 28, 1987 |access-date=July 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120233651/http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-print/C28E39B2CA06E8F98025708A003D9FAC?openDocument |archive-date=November 20, 2008 }}</ref> ===Hyperdispensationalism=== {{multiple issues|section=yes| {{original research section|date=February 2021}} {{more citations needed section|date=February 2021}} }} <!-- This section is linked from Baptism--> There are some Christians termed "[[Hyperdispensationalism|Hyperdispensationalists]]" (Mid-Acts dispensationalism) who accept only Paul's Epistles as directly applicable for the church today. They do not accept water baptism as a practice for the church since Paul who was God's apostle to the nations was not sent to baptize. Ultradispensationalists (Acts 28 dispensationalism) who do not accept the practice of the Lord's supper, do not practice baptism because these are not found in the Prison Epistles.<ref>The "prison epistles" include [[Ephesians]], [[Colossians]], [[Philippians]], and [[Epistle to Philemon|Philemon]]</ref> Both sects believe water baptism was a valid practice for covenant Israel. Hyperdispensationalists also teach that Peter's gospel message was not the same as Paul's.<ref>{{cite web |first=David M. |last=Havard |title=Are We Hyper-Dispensationalists? |url=http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/articles/1011392439.html |publisher=Berean Bible Society |access-date=January 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204081633/http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/articles/1011392439.html |archive-date=February 4, 2009 }}</ref> Hyperdispensationalists assert:{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} * The great commission<ref>{{bibleverse|Matthew|28:18–20}}</ref> and its baptism is directed to early Jewish believers, not the Gentile believers of mid-Acts or later. * The baptism of Acts 2:36–38 is Peter's call for Israel to repent of complicity in the death of their Messiah; not as a Gospel announcement of [[Atonement in Christianity|atonement]] for sin, a later doctrine revealed by Paul. Water baptism found early in the Book of Acts is, according to this view,{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} now supplanted by the one baptism<ref name="bibleverse|1 Corinthians|12:13"/>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2021}} foretold by John the Baptist.<ref>{{bibleverse|Luke|3:16}}, {{bibleverse|John|1:33}}, {{bibleverse|Matt|3:11}}{{bibleverse|Acts|1:5}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2021}} Others{{Who|date=February 2021}} make a distinction between John's prophesied baptism by Christ with the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit's baptism of the believer into the body of Christ; the latter being the one baptism for today.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} The one baptism for today, it is asserted,{{By whom|date=February 2021}} is the "baptism of the [[Holy Spirit]]" of the believer into the Body of Christ church.<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|11:15–16}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2021}} Many in this group{{Who|date=February 2021}} also argue that John's promised [[Baptized by fire|baptism by fire]] is pending,{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} referring to the destruction of the world by fire.<ref>{{bibleverse|Matthew|3:12}}, {{bibleverse|Luke|3:17}}, {{bibleverse|2 Peter|3:10||2 Peter 3:10}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2021}} Other Hyperdispensationalists{{Which|date=February 2021}} believe that baptism was necessary until mid-Acts.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} ===Debaptism=== {{main|Debaptism}} Most Christian churches see baptism as a once-in-a-lifetime event that can be [[sacramental character|neither repeated nor undone]]. They hold that those who have been baptized remain baptized, even if they renounce the Christian faith by adopting a non-Christian religion or by [[irreligion|rejecting religion]] entirely. But some other organizations and individuals are practicing debaptism.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beardsley |first1=Elenanor |title=Off The Record: A Quest For De-Baptism In France |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/01/29/146046428/on-the-record-a-quest-for-de-baptism-in-france |website=NPR |access-date=22 June 2022}}</ref> ==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 — 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 | 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? | Bible Questions}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/is-jesus-almighty/ | title=Is Jesus Almighty God? | 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? | 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? | 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? | 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? | 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? | 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 | 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 |- |} ==Baptism of objects== [[File:USS Dewey christening.jpg|right|thumb|Christening of {{USS|Dewey|DDG-105|6}}]] The word "baptism" or "christening" is sometimes used to describe the naming or inauguration of certain objects for use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of CHRISTEN |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/christen |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref> ===Boats and ships=== {{see also|Ceremonial ship launching}} ''Baptism of Ships'': since at least the time of the [[Crusades]], rituals have contained a blessing for ships. The priest asks God to bless the vessel and protect those who sail on it. The ship is usually sprinkled with [[holy water]].<ref name="cathen" /> ===Church bells=== The name ''Baptism of Bells'' has been given to the blessing of ([[bell (instrument)|musical]], especially [[Church bell|church]]) bells, at least in France, since the 11th century. It is derived from the washing of the bell with [[holy water]] by the bishop, before he anoints it with the oil of the infirm without and with chrism within; a fuming [[censer]] is placed under it and the bishop prays that these [[sacramentals]] of the church may, at the sound of the bell, put the demons to flight, protect from storms, and call the faithful to prayer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-08 |title=Why church bells are "baptized" |url=https://aleteia.org/2020/01/08/why-church-bells-are-baptized/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture |language=en}}</ref> ===Dolls=== "Baptism of Dolls": the custom of 'dolly dunking' was once a common practice in parts of the United Kingdom, particularly in [[Cornwall]] where it has been revived in recent years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cornishman.co.uk/pictures/PICTURES-Good-Friday-dolly-dunking-Fenton/pictures-26301254-detail/pictures.html |title=IN PICTURES: Good Friday dolly dunking at Fenton Bebibell well | the Cornishman |access-date=2016-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216153107/http://www.cornishman.co.uk/pictures/PICTURES-Good-Friday-dolly-dunking-Fenton/pictures-26301254-detail/pictures.html |archive-date=December 16, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ==Other initiation ceremonies== {{Main|Initiation}} Many cultures practice or have practiced initiation rites, with or without the use of water, including the [[ancient Egyptian]], the [[Hebrews|Hebraic]]/Jewish, the [[Babylonia]]n, the [[Maya civilization|Mayan]], and the [[Norsemen|Norse]] cultures. The modern Japanese practice of [[Miyamairi]] is such a ceremony that does not use water. In some, such evidence may be [[archaeology|archaeological]] and descriptive in nature, rather than a modern practice.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} ===Mystery religion initiation rites=== Many scholars have drawn parallels between rites from mystery religions and baptism in Christianity. [[Apuleius]], a 2nd-century [[Roman Empire|Roman]] writer, described an initiation into the [[Greco-Roman mysteries|mysteries]] of [[Isis]]. The initiation was preceded by a normal bathing in the public baths and a ceremonial sprinkling by the priest of Isis, after which the candidate was given secret instructions in the temple of the goddess. The candidate then fasted for ten days from meat and wine, after which he was dressed in linen and led at night into the innermost part of the sanctuary, where the actual initiation took place, the details of which were secret. On the next two days, dressed in the robes of his consecration, he participated in feasting.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Apuleius |others=trans. E. J. Kenney |chapter=11.23|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EF44Zv5yFUcC&pg=PA208 |title=The golden ass or Metamorphoses|publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |location=New York City |year=1998 |pages=208–210 |isbn=0-14-043590-5 |oclc=41174027|author-link=Apuleius }}</ref> Apuleius describes also an initiation into the cult of [[Osiris]] and yet a third initiation, of the same pattern as the initiation into the cult of Isis, without mention of a preliminary bathing.<ref>Apuleius, ''The Golden Ass'' (Penguin Books), pp. 211–214</ref> The water-less initiations of Lucius, the character in Apuleius's story who had been turned into an ass and changed back by Isis into human form, into the successive degrees of the rites of the goddess was accomplished only after a significant period of study to demonstrate his loyalty and trustworthiness, akin to [[catechumen]]al practices preceding baptism in Christianity.<ref>{{Cite book|first=Lars |last=Hartman |title=Into the Name of the Lord Jesus: Baptism in the Early Church |url=https://archive.org/details/intonamelordjesu00hart |url-access=limited |publisher=[[T&T Clark]]|location=[[Edinburgh]] |year=1997 |page=[https://archive.org/details/intonamelordjesu00hart/page/n14 4] |isbn=0-567-08589-9 |oclc=38189287}}</ref> Jan Bremmer has written on the putative connection between rites from mystery religions and baptism: <blockquote>There are thus some verbal parallels between early Christianity and the Mysteries, but the situation is rather different as regards early Christian ritual practice. Much ink was spilled around 1900 arguing that the rituals of baptism and of the Last Supper derived from the ancient Mysteries, but Nock and others after him have easily shown that these attempts grossly misinterpreted the sources. Baptism is clearly rooted in Jewish purificatory rituals, and cult meals are so widespread in antiquity that any specific derivation is arbitrary. It is truly surprising to see how long the attempts to find some pagan background to these two Christian sacraments have persevered. Secularising ideologies clearly played an important part in these interpretations but, nevertheless, they have helped to clarify the relations between nascent Christianity and its surroundings.<ref>Bremmer, Jan. ''Initiation into the Mysteries of the Ancient World.'' De Gruyter, 2014, 152.</ref></blockquote> Thus the practice is derivative, whether from Judaism, the Mysteries or a combination (see the reference to Hellenistic Judaism in the Etymology section.) ===Gnostic Catholicism and Thelema=== The [[Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica]], or Gnostic Catholic Church (the ecclesiastical arm of [[Ordo Templi Orientis]]), offers its Rite of Baptism to any person at least 11 years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oto-usa.org/egc.html |title=US Grand Lodge, OTO: Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica |publisher=Oto-usa.org |date=March 19, 1933 |access-date=February 25, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090305021017/http://oto-usa.org/egc.html| archive-date= March 5, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> ===Mandaean baptism=== {{main|Masbuta}} {{See also|Ritual purification#Mandaeism|Mandaeism}} [[File:Mandaeans 01.jpg|thumb|[[Mandaeans]] undergoing baptism (''[[masbuta]]'') in the [[Karun]] River, [[Ahvaz]], [[Iran]]]] [[Mandaeans]] revere [[John the Baptist]] and practice frequent baptism (''[[masbuta]]'') as a [[Ritual purification#Mandaeism|ritual of purification]], not of initiation. They are possibly the earliest people to practice baptism.<ref name=McGrath>{{Citation|last=McGrath|first=James|title=The First Baptists, The Last Gnostics: The Mandaeans|website=YouTube-A lunchtime talk about the Mandaeans by Dr. James F. McGrath at Butler University|date=23 January 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvv6I02MNlc |access-date=3 November 2021}}</ref> Mandaeans undergo baptism on Sundays (''Habshaba''), wearing a white sacral robe (''[[Rasta (Mandaeism)|rasta]]''). Baptism for Mandaeans consists of a triple full immersion in water, a triple ''signing'' of the forehead with water and a triple drinking of water. The priest (''[[Mandaean priest|Rabbi]]'') then removes a [[Klila|ring made of myrtle]] worn by the baptized and places it on their forehead. This is then followed by a handshake (''[[kushta]]'', "hand of truth") with the priest. The final blessing involves the priest laying his right hand on the baptized person's head.<ref name="auto"/>{{rp|102}} ''Living water'' (fresh, natural, flowing water)<ref name="auto"/> is a requirement for baptism, therefore can only take place in rivers. All rivers are named [[Jordan River|Jordan]] (''[[Yardna|yardena]]'') and are believed to be nourished by the ''[[World of Light]]''. By the river bank, a Mandaean's forehead is anointed with [[sesame oil]] (''[[Misha (Mandaeism)|misha]]'') and partakes in a communion of [[Sacramental bread#Mandaeism|bread]] (''[[pihta]]'') and water. Baptism for Mandaeans allows for salvation by connecting with the ''World of Light'' and for forgiveness of sins.<ref>{{Citation|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/030609/9mandeans_2.htm |title=Mandeans |newspaper=US News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021205653/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/030609/9mandeans_2.htm |archive-date=October 21, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation | title = Gnostic Ethics and Mandaean Origins | first = Edwin M | last = Yamauchi | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bBccilWD5n0C&pg=PA20 | publisher = Gorgias Press | year=2004 | isbn = 978-1-931956-85-7 | page = 20}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.mandaeanunion.org/History/EN_History_007.htm |title=History |publisher=Mandean union |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317051057/http://mandaeanunion.org/History/EN_History_007.htm |archive-date=March 17, 2013}}</ref> ===Sethian baptism=== {{main|Five Seals}} The [[Sethianism|Sethian]] baptismal rite is known as the [[Five Seals]], in which the initiate is immersed five times in running water.<ref name="Pearson">{{cite book|last=Pearson|first=Birger A.|author-link=Birger A. Pearson|title=Ablution, Initiation, and Baptism|chapter=Baptism in Sethian Gnostic Texts|publisher=De Gruyter|date=2011-07-14|doi=10.1515/9783110247534.119|pages=119–144|isbn=978-3-11-024751-0}}</ref> ===Yazidi baptism=== [[File:Baptîzma êzidiyan.jpg|thumb|Baptism of a [[Yazidis|Yazidi]] child in [[Lalish]]]] [[Yazidism#Religious practices|Yazidi]] baptism is called ''mor kirin'' (literally: "to seal"). Traditionally, Yazidi children are baptised at birth with water from the ''Kaniya Sipî'' ("White Spring") at [[Lalish]]. It essentially consists of pouring holy water from the spring on the child's head three times.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/yazidis-ii-initiation-in-yazidism |url-status=live |title=YAZIDIS ii. INITIATION IN YAZIDISM |access-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429200244/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/yazidis-ii-initiation-in-yazidism |archive-date=April 29, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Kreyenbroek|first=Philip G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E4FpDDbrvqkC&pg=PA31|title=Yezidism in Europe: Different Generations Speak about Their Religion|date=2009|publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag|isbn=978-3-447-06060-8|language=en}}</ref> ===Islamic practice of wudu=== Many Islamic scholars such as Shaikh [[Bawa Muhaiyaddeen]] have compared the Islamic practice of [[wudu]] to a baptism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmf.org/shop/four-steps-to-pure-iman/|title=Four Steps to Pure Iman|date=January 1, 1979}}</ref> [[Wudu]] is a practice that Muslims practice to go from ritual impurity to ritual purity. Ritual purity is required for [[Salah]] (praying) and also to hold a physical copy of the [[Quran|Qur’an]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 July 2023 |title=Muwatta Malik 15:2 |url=https://sunnah.com/malik/15/2 |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=Sunnah.com}}</ref> and so wudu is often done before salah. However, it is permissible to pray more than one salah without repeating wudu, as long as ritual purity is not broken, for example by using the bathroom.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 July 2023 |title=iium.edu book 2 |url=https://www.iium.edu.my/deed/lawbase/risalah_maliki/book02.html#:~:text=You%20have%20to%20do%20wudu,or%20not%20with%20a%20sound. }}</ref> Another similar purification ritual is [[ghusl]], which takes someone from major ritual impurity (janabah) to lesser ritual impurity, which is then purified by wudu. If one is in a state of janabah, both ghusl and wudu are required if one wants to pray. Although original sin does not exist in Islam, wudu is widely regarded to remove sins. In a [[Hadith terminology|Sahih]] hadith, [[Muhammad]] says "Whenever a man performs his ablution intending to pray and he washes his hands, the sins of his hands fall down with the first drop. When he rinses his mouth and nose, the sins of his tongue and lips fall down with the first drop. When he washes his face, the sins of his hearing and sight fall down with the first drop. When he washes his arms to his elbows and his feet to his ankles, he is purified from every sin and fault like the day he was born from his mother. If he stands for prayer, Allah will raise his status by a degree. If he sits, he will sit in peace."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abuaminaelias.com/dailyhadithonline/2019/07/30/wudu-washes-away-sins/|title=Hadith on Ablution: Sins washed away by first drop of water|first=Abu Amina|last=Elias|date=July 30, 2019}}</ref> ===Baptism in the Yadav community=== [[File:Baptism in Yadavs.jpg|alt=Different activities During process|thumb|Different activities During process]] People of the [[Yadav]] community of [[Hindu]] religion follow baptism, where it is called Karah Pujan. In this, the person who is being baptized is bathed in boiling [[Milk]]. The newborn baby is also included in this process, in which he is bathed with boiling milk and then he is garlanded with flowers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ratneshballiya/status/1673894764683595778|title=Karah Poojan of Yadavs|first=Ratnesh|last=Singh|date=July 30, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.patrika.com/ballia-news/ballia-news-faith-or-superstition-baby-girl-bathed-with-boiling-milk-8340943/|title=Ballia News : आस्था या अन्धविश्वास, खौलते दूध से बच्ची को नहलाया, कहा- सुख शांति के लिए जरूरी है ये पूजा|first=SAIYED|last=FAIZ|date=July 30, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=451620682538231|title=कराह पूजा या कृष्ण पूजा केवल यूपी के यादव समाज में ही होती है।|first=Anil|last=Yadav|website=[[Facebook]] |date=July 30, 2019}}</ref> ==See also== * [[Amrit Sanchar]], in Sikhism * [[Baptism by fire]] * [[Baptistery]] * [[Chrism]] * [[Christifideles]] * [[Consolamentum]] * [[Disciple (Christianity)]] * [[Divine filiation]] * [[Ghusl]] * [[Holy water in Eastern Christianity]] * [[Mikvah]] * [[Misogi]] * [[Prevenient Grace]] * [[Ritual purification]] * [[Theophany]] * [[Water and religion]] ==Notes== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==Further reading== * {{cite book|chapter=[[s:The Art of Dying Well/Chapter 10|The Tenth Precept, Which Is on the Sacrament of Baptism.]]|title=The Art of Dying Well|year=1847|publisher=Richardson and Son|first=Robert|last=Bellarmine|author-link=Robert Bellarmine|translator=John Dalton}} * {{cite book |author=Canadian Council of Churches, Commission on Faith and Witness |year=1992 |url=https://www.councilofchurches.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/INITIATION-INTO-CHRIST.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.councilofchurches.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/INITIATION-INTO-CHRIST.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Initiation into Christ: Ecumenical Reflections and Common Teaching on Preparation for Baptism] |location=Winfield, B.C. |publisher=Wood Lake Books |isbn=2-89088-527-5}} * {{Cite book | last=Chaney |first=James M. |author-link=James McDonald Chaney |title=William the Baptist |url=http://www.doulosresources.org/books/william/william.html |publisher=[[Doulos Resources]] |location=Oakland, TN |year=2009 |page=160 |isbn=978-1-4421-8560-9 |oclc=642906193 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708014704/http://www.doulosresources.org/books/william/william.html |archive-date=July 8, 2009 }} * {{Cite book| last=Dallmann |first=Robert| title=Baptisms - One? Many? Or Both?| publisher=ChristLife, Inc.| year=2014| isbn=978-0991489107| url=http://www.christ-like.net/baptisms.html}} * {{cite book|chapter=[[s:A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion/Chap. II. The Sacraments#252|Chap. II. The Sacraments (Baptism)]]|title=A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion|year=1912|publisher=Schwartz, Kirwin & Fauss|first= Joseph|last=Deharbe|translator=Rev. John Fander}} * {{Cite Catholic Encyclopedia |wstitle=Baptism |volume=2 |first=William Henry Windsor |last=Fanning}} * {{cite book |last=Gerfen |first=Ernst |year=1897 |title="Baptizein": the Voice of the Scriptures and Church History Concerning Baptism |location= Columbus, Ohio |publisher=Press of F.J. Heer}} * {{Cite book |last=Guelzo |first=Allen C |year=1985 |title=Who Should Be Baptized?: a Case for the Baptism of Infants |series=Reformed Episcopal Pamphlets |number=4 |place=Philadelphia, PA |publisher=Reformed Episcopal Publication Society}}. 26 pp. N.B.: States the Evangelical Anglican position of the Reformed Episcopal Church. * {{Cite book |last=Guelzo | first=Allen C | year=1985 |title=What Does Baptism Mean?: a Brief Lesson in the Spiritual Use of Our Baptisms |series=Reformed Episcopal Pamphlets |number=5 |place=Philadelphia, PA |publisher=Reformed Episcopal Publication Society}} * {{Cite book |last=Jungkuntz |first=Richard |title=The Gospel of Baptism |location=St. Louis |publisher=Concordia Publishing House |year=1968 |oclc=444126}} * {{Cite book| last=Kolb| first=Robert W.|title=Make Disciples, baptizing: God's gift of new life and Christian witness |publisher=Concordia Seminary |location=St. Louis |year=1997 |isbn=0-911770-66-6 |oclc= 41473438}} * {{Cite book |last= Linderman |first=Jim |title=Take Me to the Water: Immersion Baptism in Vintage Music and Photography 1890–1950 |publisher=Dust to Digital |location=Atlanta |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-9817342-1-7}} * {{Cite journal |last=Matzat |first=Don |date=Spring 1997 |title=In Defense of Infant Baptism |url = http://www.issuesetcarchive.org/issues_site/resource/journals/v2n3.htm |access-date=February 26, 2009 |journal= Issues, Etc. Journal |volume=2 |issue=3}} * {{cite book |editor-last1=Root |editor-first1=Michael |editor-first2=Risto |editor-last2=Saarinen |year=1998 |title=Baptism and the Unity of the Church |location=Grand Rapids, MI |publisher=W.B. Eerdmans; Geneva: W.C.C. [i.e. World Council of Churches] Publications. Also mentioned on t.p.: "Institute for Ecumenical Research, Strasbourg, France" |isbn=2-8254-1250-3}} * {{Cite book |last= Scaer |first=David P. |title=Baptism |location=St. Louis |publisher= The Luther Academy |year=1999 | oclc=41004868}} * {{Cite book| last=Schlink | first=Edmund |title=The Doctrine of Baptism |publisher=Concordia Publishing House | location=St. Louis, Mo |year=1972 |isbn=0-570-03726-3 |oclc= 228096375}} * {{cite journal|last1=Slade|first1=Darren M.|title=The Early Church's Inconsequential View of the Mode of Baptism|journal=American Theological Inquiry|date=August 15, 2014|volume=7|issue=2|pages=21–34|url=https://www.academia.edu/8008124|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903085434/http://atijournal.org/ATI_Vol7_No2.pdf|archive-date=September 3, 2014|df=mdy-all}} * {{Cite book |last=Stookey |first=Laurence Hull |title=Baptism, Christ's act in the church |publisher=Abingdon |location=Nashville, TN |year=1982 |isbn=0-687-02364-5 |oclc= 7924841}} * {{Cite book |last=Torrell |first=Jean-Pierre |title=A Priestly People: Baptismal Priesthood and Priestly Ministry |publisher=Paulist Press |location=New York/ Mahwah, NJ |year=2011 |isbn= 978-0-8091-4815-8}} * {{cite journal |last1=Weigel |first1=George |title=The Most Important Day of Your Life |journal=First Things | year=2016 |url=https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2016/04/the-most-important-day-of-your-life}} * {{Cite book |last=Willimon |first=William H. |author-link=William Willimon |title=Remember who you are: baptism, a model for Christian life |publisher=Upper Room |location=Nashville |year=1980 |isbn=0-8358-0399-6 |oclc=6485882 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/rememberwhoyouar0000will }} * {{Cite book|title=Baptism, Eucharist, and ministry |publisher=[[World Council of Churches]] |location=Geneva |year = 1982 |isbn=2-8254-0709-7 |oclc=9918640 |author=World Council of Churches}} ==External links== {{Wiktionary|βαπτίζω}} {{wikiquote}} {{wikisource|Summa Theologiae/Third Part/Question 66|Thomas Aquinas on Baptism}} * [https://www.churchfathers.org/infant-baptism/ "Writings of the Early Church Fathers on Baptism"] * [https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/52311/Baptism "Baptism."] Encyclopædia Britannica Online. * {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Baptism|short=x}} * {{Cite Americana|wstitle=Baptism |short=x}} {{Personal names}} {{Christian Soteriology}} {{Christianity footer}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Baptism In Christianity}} [[Category:Baptism| ]] [[Category:Christian terminology]] [[Category:Conversion to Christianity]] [[Category:Rites of passage]] [[Category:Ritual purity in Christianity]] [[Category:Sacraments]] [[Category:Mandaean rituals]] [[Category:Masonic rites]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Templates used on this page: Baptism (edit) Template:"' (edit) Template:Ambox (edit) Template:As of (edit) Template:Authority control (edit) Template:Bibleverse (edit) Template:Blockquote (edit) Template:Blockquote/styles.css (edit) Template:By whom (edit) Template:CCC (edit) Template:Catalog lookup link (edit) Template:Christian Soteriology (edit) Template:Christianity (edit) Template:Christianity footer (edit) Template:Christianity sidebar (edit) Template:Citation (edit) Template:Citation needed (edit) Template:Cite Americana (edit) Template:Cite Catholic Encyclopedia (edit) Template:Cite EB1911 (edit) Template:Cite book (edit) Template:Cite encyclopedia (edit) Template:Cite journal (edit) Template:Cite news (edit) Template:Cite web (edit) Template:Cite wikisource/make link (edit) Template:Comma separated entries (edit) Template:DMCA (edit) Template:Efn (edit) Template:Fix (edit) Template:Further (edit) Template:Gloss (edit) Template:Hatnote group (edit) Template:Hlist (edit) Template:Hlist/styles.css (edit) Template:ISBN (edit) Template:ISBN? (edit) Template:Interlanguage link (edit) Template:LSJ (edit) Template:Lang (edit) Template:Lang-grc-x-koine (edit) Template:Main (edit) Template:Main other (edit) Template:Mandaeism (edit) Template:More citations needed (edit) Template:More citations needed section (edit) Template:Mormonverse (edit) Template:Multiple issues (edit) Template:Notelist (edit) Template:Original research section (edit) Template:Page needed (edit) Template:Personal names (edit) Template:Primary source inline (edit) Template:Reflist (edit) Template:Reflist/styles.css (edit) Template:Religious text primary (edit) Template:Rp (edit) Template:See also (edit) Template:Short description (edit) Template:Sister project (edit) Template:Transliteration (edit) Template:USS (edit) Template:Unreliable source? (edit) Template:Use mdy dates (edit) Template:Verify source (edit) Template:Webarchive (edit) Template:Which (edit) Template:Who (edit) Template:Wikiquote (edit) Template:Wikisource (edit) Template:Wiktionary (edit) Template:Yesno (edit) Template:Yesno-no (edit) Template:Yesno-yes (edit) Module:Arguments (edit) Module:Bibleverse (edit) Module:Catalog lookup link (edit) Module:Check for unknown parameters (edit) Module:Check isxn (edit) Module:Citation/CS1 (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/COinS (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/Whitelist (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css (edit) Module:Format link (edit) Module:Hatnote (edit) Module:Hatnote/styles.css (edit) Module:Hatnote list (edit) Module:Labelled list hatnote (edit) Module:List (edit) Module:Navbar (edit) Module:Navbar/configuration (edit) Module:Navbar/styles.css (edit) Module:Sidebar (edit) Module:Sidebar/configuration (edit) Module:Sidebar/styles.css (edit) Module:TableTools (edit) Module:Template wrapper (edit) Module:Unsubst (edit) Module:Yesno (edit) Discuss this page