|
Baptism according to some of the many Christian
denominations
Comparison
Chart |
|
Denomination |
Beliefs about baptism |
Baptism |
|
Anabaptist |
Most
Anabaptists churches believe that baptism is essential for the Christian
faith, but not for salvation, for it is considered as a biblical usage. The liturgical formula is: “in the name of the
Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost”. Infant baptism is not practiced.
|
By sprinkling, immersion or infusion
|
|
Anglican Communion |
Baptism is
not only a sign of affiliation, also of the regeneration or new birth by
which those who receive it join the church and obtain the forgiveness of
sins and the adoption as children of God through the Holy Ghost. The
liturgical formula is “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Ghost”. Infant baptism practiced. |
By sprinkling, immersion or infusion
|
|
Baptists |
Baptism is considered a divine ordinance, a symbolic ritual to
publicly declare one's faith. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but
it is the confirmation of having received it. The liturgical formula is:
“in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost”. Infant baptism is
not practiced. |
Only by immersion |
|
Christadelphians |
Baptism is considered essential for the salvation of the
believer, but only valid if who is baptized has faith in the gospel
message. It is regarded as the believer`s outward symbol of his inward
change, and represents a death to the sinful past life, and the beginning
of a new life as a Christian. The liturgical formula is: “in the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost”. Infant baptism is not
practiced. |
Only by immersion |
|
Churches of Christ |
The
Churches of Christ believe that baptism is necessary for conversion, and
historically maintain a more conservative position that the various
branches of the Restoration Movement. The liturgical formula is: “in the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost”. Infant baptism is not practiced. |
Only by immersion |
|
Mormons |
To
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, baptism is an
indispensable rule to enter the kingdom of heaven and to receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. The liturgical formula is: “in the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost”. Infant baptism is practiced. |
Only by immersion |
|
Jehovah's Witnesses |
Baptism is the symbol of a personal commitment to Jehovah, it is
necessary for salvation and is a public declaration of faith in Jesus’
ransom sacrifice. The liturgical formula is: “in the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost”, but deny the trinity dogma. Their baptismal
clause is: “Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify
you as a Jehovah's Witness, associated with the organization led by the
Spirit of God?” Infant baptism is practiced. |
Only by immersion |
|
Lutherans |
Baptism is the sacrament that determines accession to the
Church, and through which the person receives forgiveness of sins and
eternal salvation. The liturgical formula is: “in the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Ghost”. Infant baptism is practiced. |
By sprinkling, immersion or
infusion |
|
Methodists |
Baptism
constitutes the sacrament that determines the accession to the
Church of
Christ, and provides
a new birth through water and Holy Ghost, canceling sins through
justification. The liturgical formula is: “in the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost”. Infant baptism is practiced. |
By sprinkling, immersion or
infusion |
|
Presbyterians |
Baptism is
considered as a sacrament and a symbolic ritual. It is a demonstration of
the faith of the believer, an outward sign of inward grace. The liturgical
formula is: “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost”.
Infant baptism is practiced. |
By sprinkling, immersion or
infusion |
|
Catholic Church |
Baptism is considered necessary for salvation and for the
cancelation of the original sin. The liturgical formula is: “in the name
of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost”. Infant baptism is
practiced. |
In Occidental countries, by infusion, while in Oriental
countries, by immersion or by sprinkling. |
|
Seventh-day Adventists |
Baptism is
the necessary requirement to become member of the Church. It symbolizes a
death to sin and a new birth through Jesus Christ. The liturgical formula
is: “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost”. Infant
baptism is not practiced. |
Only by immersion |
|
Evangelical Churches |
Baptism is an outward sign of the inward grace that God
provides. The liturgical formula is: “in the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost”. It is common practice in children and
adults. |
By sprinkling, immersion or
infusion |
|
By infusion: pouring water three times over the head of the
baptized.
By spraying: spraying the baptized with water three
times.
By immersion: The baptized is totally immersed in water for one or three
times. |
|
La Vía International Bible Association |
