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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 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 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 Reformed tradition, [[Presbyterian]] and others that hold to the [[Westminster Confession of Faith]], baptism is administered to 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 Reformed tradition, [[Presbyterian]] and others that hold to the [[Westminster Confession of Faith]], baptism is administered to 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 [[Restoration Movement]] (seen by it's adherents as a "restoration" to first century [[Christianity]]), 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 hold it evident that in first century Christianity, as recorded in the book of [[Book of Acts|Acts]], baptism was ubiquitous.  ''Of the eleven major conversion accounts in Acts, baptism is explicitly included in ten and never excluded (either explicitly or implicitly).''  Furthermore, that biblical accounts of baptism with some degree of detail have often included phrases specifying the person(s) as going into or coming up out of water.  This, along with biblical comparison of baptism to burial, is part of their evidence that the early Church practiced full immersion; as per the definition found in "Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words"; which reads in part; "''consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion and emergence.''"  

Among those typically identified with the [[Restoration Movement]] (seen by it's adherents as a "restoration" to first century [[Christianity]]), 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 hold it evident that in first century Christianity, as recorded in the book of [[Book of Acts|Acts]], baptism was ubiquitous.  ''Of the eleven major conversion accounts in Acts, baptism is explicitly included in ten and never excluded (either explicitly or implicitly).''  Furthermore, that biblical accounts of baptism with some degree of detail have often included phrases specifying the person(s) as going into or coming up out of water.  This, along with biblical comparison of baptism to burial, is part of their evidence that the early Church practiced full immersion; as per the definition found in "Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words"; which reads in part; "''consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion and emergence.''"  

*[[Church]]

*[[Church]]

[[Category:Christian Rites]]

[[Category:Christian Rites]][[Category: Religion]]

==References==

==References==

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