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[[Baptists]] recognize baptism only by immersion and  after conversion. The theologian [[L. L. Clover]] explains this position in his book ''[[The Church: Her Origin, Purpose, Doctrine, and History]]'' Baptists consider baptism one of two church ordinances, along with [[communion]], usually known as the Lord's Supper. Baptists consider baptism as the individual believer's commitment to the acceptance of personal faith in Christ. They treat communion as a memorial service commemorating the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

[[Baptists]] recognize baptism only by immersion and  after conversion. The theologian [[L. L. Clover]] explains this position in his book ''[[The Church: Her Origin, Purpose, Doctrine, and History]]'' Baptists consider baptism one of two church ordinances, along with [[communion]], usually known as the Lord's Supper. Baptists consider baptism as the individual believer's commitment to the acceptance of personal faith in Christ. They treat communion as a memorial service commemorating the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

In the [[Lutheran]] and [[Anglican]] churches, infant baptism by pouring is the norm. Among Christians of the Reformed tradition, including [[Presbyterian]]s and others who hold to the Westminster Confession of Faith, baptism is administered to both believing adults and the children of a believer, for a public confession and as a sign and seal of God's Covenant of [[Grace]]. <ref name="WCF"> The Westminster Confession of Faith for study classes by G.I.Williamson, 1964, pp207ff </ref> It is properly administered by dipping, sprinkling or pouring, but is not essential for salvation. <ref name="WCF"/> Prominent past theologians have taught this doctrine such as [[John Calvin]] <ref> Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin, 1536, trans. 1989, pp.512ff</ref>, as well as contemporary teachers such as [[R.C. Sproul]] <ref> Now, That's a Good Question!, R.C.Sproul, 1996, p124-5, 339-342,</ref>

In the [[Lutheran]] and [[Anglican]] churches, infant baptism by pouring is the norm. Among Christians of the Reformed tradition, including [[Presbyterian]]s and others who hold to the Westminster Confession of Faith, baptism is administered to both believing adults and the children of a believer, for a public confession and as a sign and seal of God's Covenant of [[Grace]].<ref name="WCF">The Westminster Confession of Faith for study classes by G.I.Williamson, 1964, pp207ff</ref> It is properly administered by dipping, sprinkling or pouring, but is not essential for salvation.<ref name="WCF"/> Prominent past theologians have taught this doctrine such as [[John Calvin]],<ref>Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin, 1536, trans. 1989, pp.512ff</ref> as well as contemporary teachers such as [[R.C. Sproul]] <ref>Now, That's a Good Question!, R.C.Sproul, 1996, p124-5, 339-342,</ref>

Among those typically identified with the [[Anabaptist]] tradition, the [[Restoration Movement]] (seen by its adherents as a "restoration" to first century [[Christianity]]), and the [[Pentecostal]] churches, it is widely held that baptism is necessary in establishing a relationship with God. They practice baptism by full immersion in water, usually accompanied by an audible confession of faith. Such Christians believe it evident that in first century Christianity, as recorded in the book of [[Book of Acts|Acts]], baptism was ubiquitous.  It is said that, "Of the eleven major conversion accounts in Acts, baptism is explicitly included in ten and never excluded (either explicitly or implicitly)."   

Among those typically identified with the [[Anabaptist]] tradition, the [[Restoration Movement]] (seen by its adherents as a "restoration" to first century [[Christianity]]), and the [[Pentecostal]] churches, it is widely held that baptism is necessary in establishing a relationship with God. They practice baptism by full immersion in water, usually accompanied by an audible confession of faith. Such Christians believe it evident that in first century Christianity, as recorded in the book of [[Book of Acts|Acts]], baptism was ubiquitous.  It is said that, "Of the eleven major conversion accounts in Acts, baptism is explicitly included in ten and never excluded (either explicitly or implicitly)."   

Biblical accounts of baptism, with some degree of detail, often include phrases describing the person(s) as going into or coming out of water.  This, along with the biblical comparison of baptism to burial, is part of their contention that the early Church practiced full immersion. The word itself, however, can mean either immersion, dipping (in water), or washing, and among Christians who baptise by pouring or sprinkling, it is believed that the wording in Matthew's Gospel that Jesus "went straighway out of the water," (per the King James Version) means only that he ascended the banks of the Jordan River following his baptism.

Biblical accounts of baptism, with some degree of detail, often include phrases describing the person(s) as going into or coming out of water.  This, along with the biblical comparison of baptism to burial, is part of their contention that the early Church practiced full immersion. The word itself, however, can mean either immersion, dipping (in water), or washing, and among Christians who baptise by pouring or sprinkling, it is believed that the wording in Matthew's Gospel that Jesus "went straighway out of the water," (per the King James Version) means only that he ascended the banks of the Jordan River following his baptism.

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Sacrament]]s in the [[Roman Catholic Church]]

* [[Sacrament]]s in the [[Roman Catholic Church]]

** [[Baptism]]

** Baptism

** [[Eucharist]] - First Holy Communion

** [[Eucharist]] - First Holy Communion

** [[Confession]]

** [[Confession]]

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[[Category : Catholic Church Sacraments]]

[[Category:Catholic Church Sacraments]]

[[Category : Catholic Church]]

[[Category:Catholic Church]]

[[Category : Christian Rites]]

[[Category:Christian Rites]]

[[Category : Religion]]

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category : Oaths]]

[[Category:Oaths]]