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'''Baptism''' is an important rite that exists across all Christian traditions. In many, but not all, Christian churches, baptism is the act that admits the participant to membership in the church.  

'''Baptism''' is an important rite that exists across all [[Christian]] traditions. In many, but not all, Christian churches, baptism is the act that admits the participant to membership in the church.  

Within the [[Catholic Church]], [[Orthodox Church]] and some  [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denominations, it is a [[sacrament]] generally necessary for [[salvation]] in accordance with [[Jesus]]' teaching in [[Gospel of John|John]] 3:5--  

Within the [[Catholic Church]], [[Orthodox Church]], and some  [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denominations, it is a [[sacrament]] generally 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 the [[Easter]] vigil.

<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 the [[Easter]] vigil.

The significance and mode of baptism remain controversial subjects among evangelical Protestant Christians. Some churches believe that baptism needs to take place as an infant (called ''pedobaptism'' or in an alternate spelling ''paedobaptism''), while others believe only when a person makes an informed decision for Christ should they be baptized. The latter position is called ''believers' baptism,'' and those who follow it cite the following [[Bible]] passage in support:

The significance and mode of baptism remain controversial subjects among evangelical Protestant Christians. Some churches believe that baptism needs to take place as an infant (called ''pedobaptism'' or in an alternate spelling ''paedobaptism''), while others believe only when a person makes an informed decision for Christ should he be baptized. The latter position is called ''believers' baptism,'' and those who follow it cite the following [[Bible]] passage in support:

{{Bible quote|And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.|book=Acts|chap=8|verses=36-37|version=KJV}}

{{Bible quote|And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.|book=Acts|chap=8|verses=36-37|version=KJV}}

In some 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.  

In some 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.  

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>