Baptism is a central Christian rite using water in the name of Jesus Christ or, in most churches, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians connect baptism with discipleship, cleansing from sin, new life, entry into the church, and participation in the death and resurrection of Christ. They disagree, however, about who should be baptized and exactly what baptism does.
Biblical background
The New Testament describes John the Baptist baptizing people in the Jordan, Jesus being baptized, and early Christian communities baptizing new believers. The closing words of Matthew connect Christian mission with baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Infant baptism
Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed, and many other churches baptize infants. Their reasons differ, but common themes include covenant, incorporation into the church, and God’s grace acting before a person can make a mature profession of faith.
Believer’s baptism
Baptists, many Pentecostals, Churches of Christ, Mennonites, and numerous evangelical churches generally baptize people after a personal profession of faith. These churches often point to New Testament examples in which preaching, repentance, faith, and baptism occur together.
Immersion, pouring, and sprinkling
Some churches baptize by full immersion. Others pour water over the head or use another form involving water. Orthodox baptisms commonly use threefold immersion where possible. Baptists usually practice immersion. Catholic and many Protestant churches recognize pouring as valid, and some traditions also use sprinkling.
Does baptism save?
Christian answers differ. Catholic and Orthodox churches treat baptism as a sacrament through which God gives grace and incorporates a person into Christ and the church. Lutheran teaching also speaks strongly about baptism as a means of grace.
Baptists and many evangelicals usually distinguish salvation through faith from baptism, describing baptism as an act of obedience and public confession that follows conversion. Methodist teaching connects baptism with God’s grace while also emphasizing continuing faith and growth in holiness.
Baptism and church membership
In many traditions, baptism marks formal entry into the visible church. Some churches recognize baptisms performed in other Trinitarian churches. Others require a new baptism if the earlier rite did not meet their theological requirements, especially when believer’s baptism is considered necessary.
Can someone be baptized more than once?
Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, and many Reformed churches confess “one baptism” and do not repeat a baptism they consider valid. Some Baptist or evangelical churches may baptize a person who was baptized as an infant because they do not regard infant baptism as the baptism of a professing believer.
Baptism in Christian life
Baptism is one of Christianity’s most widely shared practices, but it also reveals significant differences in how churches understand grace, faith, church membership, and the sacraments.
