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'''Baptism''' is an important rite across all [[Christian]] traditions symbolizing the acceptance of the participant into the Kingdom of Heaven.

'''Baptism''' is an important rite across all [[Christian]] traditions symbolizing the acceptance of the participant into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Within the [[Catholic Church]], [[Orthodox Church]] and some [[Protestant]] variations, it is a [[sacrament]] necessary for [[salvation]] in accordance with [[Jesus]]' teaching in [[Gospel of John|John]] 3:5 <Blockquote>Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.</blockquote>  Because of this, infants are baptized a few weeks after being born.  In the Catholic ritual, water is poured over the head of the child while the [[priest]] repeats the baptismal formula of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 28:19, <blockquote>"I baptize you (name) in the Name of the [[God the Father|Father]], and of the Son, and of the [[Holy Spirit]].  Amen."</blockquote>  Adult converts to Catholicism are immersed in water for baptism during [[Easter]] vigil.

Within the [[Catholic Church]], [[Orthodox Church]] and some [[Protestantism|Protestant]] variations, it is a [[sacrament]] necessary for [[salvation]] in accordance with [[Jesus]]' teaching in [[Gospel of John|John]] 3:5 <Blockquote>Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.</blockquote>  Because of this, infants are baptized a few weeks after being born.  In the Catholic ritual, water is poured over the head of the child while the [[priest]] repeats the baptismal formula of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 28:19, <blockquote>"I baptize you (name) in the Name of the [[God the Father|Father]], and of the Son, and of the [[Holy Spirit]].  Amen."</blockquote>  Adult converts to Catholicism are immersed in water for baptism during [[Easter]] vigil.

In some Protestant churches, the water in John 3:5 is assumed to be the waters of birth and being born again refers to spiritual renewal.  Thus baptism becomes an ordinance performed after conversion.  Significance and mode of baptism remain controversial subjects among evangelical Protestant Christians.  Some churches believe that baptism needs to take place as an infant, while others believe only when a person makes an informed decision for Christ should they be baptized.

In some Protestant churches, the water in John 3:5 is assumed to be the waters of birth and being born again refers to spiritual renewal.  Thus baptism becomes an ordinance performed after conversion.  Significance and mode of baptism remain controversial subjects among evangelical Protestant Christians.  Some churches believe that baptism needs to take place as an infant, while others believe only when a person makes an informed decision for Christ should they be baptized.