Types of Baptism in Christianity and Other Religions
What Is Baptism?
First things first—what is baptism?
Baptism is a ritual practiced by a number of faiths, though not all denominations practice it for the same reason or in the same manner. Though it is mainly practiced by Christianity today, ancient pagan religions also used baptism as a ceremony of purification (cleansing), rebirth, or initiation. Participants were often bathed/washed in water or blood.
Baptism in the Christian tradition most likely stemmed from the Jewish ritual called Mikvah. The washing or bathing of one’s person and clothing in water were common practices meant to reestablish purity as required by laws in Jewish texts such as the Tanakh. One could not enter the Holy Temple if they were unclean.
The Mikvah was also a necessary part of the Judaic initiation process. Seven days after circumcision, the candidate was immersed in flowing water. When he emerged, he was considered an official Israelite.
Today, there are three major forms of baptism. There is immersion, affusion (the pouring of water), and aspersion (the sprinkling of water). The differences between the forms are explained in detail below.
Who Gets Baptized?
Though the ritual of baptism is practiced by most Christians, it is also practiced by the Sikhs, a monotheistic religion founded more than 500 years ago by Guru Nanak and the Gnostic Mandaeanism, an ancient religion—still viable today in Iran and Iraq—whose theology favors John the Baptist over Jesus.
The Sikh baptismal ceremony is called Amrit. It began in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh. The Mandaeans view baptism as simply a purification ritual. Islam also has a ritual of washing by submersion called Ghusul, but it is similar to the more modern Jewish Mikvah. Women must wash after menstruation and, for the Muslim men, after sex. Prayers of forgiveness for unclean or impure actions must follow both rituals.
Religions That Practice Baptism
Religion | Practice Baptism | Types of Baptism Practiced | Methods of Baptism Practiced |
---|---|---|---|
Anglicans (including Episcopalians*) | yes | Infant and adult | Immersion, Affusion*, Aspersion |
Anabaptists | yes | Adult | Immersion, Affusion |
Baptists (some denominations) | yes | Adult | Immersion |
Catholics (all denominations, including Latin Rite*, Eastern**, Roman***) | yes | Infant and adult | Immersion and Affusion*, Immersion only**, Aspersion*** |
Christadelphians | yes | Adult | Immersion |
Churches of Christ | yes | Adult | Full immersion |
Community Churches | yes | Adult | Immersion |
Disciples of Christ | yes | Adult | Immersion, Affusion |
Eastern Orthodox Churches | yes | Infant and adult | Immersion |
Evangelical Free Churches | yes | Adult | Immersion |
Grace Communion International | yes | Adult | Immersion |
Jehovah's Witnesses | yes | Adult | Full immersion |
Lutherans | yes | Infant and adult | Aspersion |
Methodists (Wesleyans, United Brethren, African Episcopal Methodist Church) | yes | Infant and adult | Immersion, Affusion, Aspersion |
Metropolitan Community Church | yes | Infant and adult | Immersion |
Moravian Church | yes | Infant and adult | Immersion, Affusion, Aspersion |
Nazarenes/ Church of the Nazarene | yes | Infant and adult | Immersion, Affusion, Aspersion |
Pentecostals | yes | Adult | Full immersion |
Presbyterians | yes | Infant and adult | Immersion, Affusion, Aspersion |
Revivalists | yes | Adult | Immersion |
Seventh Day Adventists | yes | Adult | Full immersion |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) | yes | Age eight and up | Full immersion |
The United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed Churches, and Congregational Christians) | yes | Infant and adult | Immersion, Affusion, Aspersion |
Denominations Practicing Baptism
- Anglicans (including Episcopalians): Their philosophy is that baptism is for the cleansing of sins, original sin, rebirth, and entry into the denomination and the body of Christ through God’s grace. Baptism is performed in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—also known as the Holy Trinity. So, infant baptism is allowed. Methods used are immersion, affusion, and aspersion. Episcopalians prefer the method of affusion.
- Anabaptists: Their belief is that baptism is not necessary for salvation, but is instead symbolic. Therefore adult baptism is the only true baptism and is done by immersion or affusion. In fact, their name means “to be baptized again.”
- Baptists: For Baptists, baptism is symbolic and by immersion only. Infant baptism is not practiced.
- Catholics: For all manner of Catholics, baptism is sacramental in the name of the Holy Trinity (the “Great Commission” Matthew 28:18-20) and grants eternal salvation and remission of sins by God’s grace. They also practice infant baptism. Latin Rite Catholics use the method of immersion (Ambrosian Rite) or affusion. Roman Catholics use aspersion, but the water must flow onto the head. Eastern Catholics use full or partial submersion.
- Christadelphians: They view the rite of baptism as granting repentance and salvation though it is only for adults and done through immersion.
- Churches of Christ: They too view baptism as granting repentance and salvation, but do not practice infant baptism. They baptize by full immersion following the biblical book of Acts 8:38.
- Community Churches: Baptism is an outward symbol of cleansing as well as the acceptance of salvation and new life through God’s grace. The method used is immersion, and infant baptism is not permitted.
- Disciples of Christ: Their ideology of baptism is that it's symbolic of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection; it's a cleansing of sin, rebirth through God’s grace, and entry into the Christian faith. Baptism is done by immersion or affusion. They do not practice infant baptism.
- Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodoxy: Baptism is sacramental and meant for salvation and remission of one's sins. It is by full or partial immersion, and infants are included.
- Evangelical Free Churches: Their view is that baptism is the public symbol of the profession of faith, God’s grace, and rebirth. Baptism is by immersion for adults only.
- Grace Communion International: Their view of baptism is similar to the Evangelical Free Churches.
- Jehovah’s Witness: They also view baptism as a public symbol of individual belief and it is performed by full immersion. Therefore, they do not practice infant baptism.
- Lutherans: Their philosophy is that baptism is sacramental and grants eternal salvation. The method used is aspersion, and infant baptism is practiced.
- Methodists: Their belief is that baptism grants the sacrament of salvation, the profession of faith, and is an initiation into the Christian community. All Methodists including Wesleyans, United Brethren, and the African Episcopal Methodist Church use immersion, affusion, or aspersion and baptize infants.
- Metropolitan Community Church: To them, baptism is sacramental and part of worship. The method used is immersion, and infant baptism is practiced.
- Moravian Church: Baptism is sacramental and necessary for entry into Christianity. They use immersion, affusion, or aspersion and practice infant baptism.
- Nazarenes/Church of the Nazarenes: Baptism grants the sacrament of salvation and acceptance of Jesus. The methods used are immersion, affusion, or aspersion and infant baptism is practiced.
- Pentecostals: Their ideology is baptism is a symbolic representation of the individual’s belief and acceptance of Jesus as Savior, which only adults can understand and profess. The Oneness Group believes baptism is a requirement for salvation. Both Oneness and Trinitarian Pentecostals use full immersion and do not practice infant baptism.
- Presbyterians: Baptism is a sacrament, seal, and outward symbol of “inward grace.” It also grants membership into the Christian community. So, infant baptism is practiced. Methods used are immersion, affusion, or aspersion.
- Revivalists: They view baptism as a receipt of the Holy Spirit, which is necessary for salvation. The method used is immersion, and infant baptism is not practiced.
- Seventh Day Adventists: Baptism is a requirement for membership into the church and into Christianity. It symbolizes “death to sin and new birth in Christ.” The method used is full immersion, and infant baptism is not practiced.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons): All converts must be baptized or re-baptized. They do not view baptism as a cleansing of sins, but rather as a ritual of the forgiveness of sins, repentance, and preparation for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. This occurs in the sacrament of confirmation/ laying of hands. Baptism is by full immersion and is given to individuals from the age of eight and up.
- The United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed Churches and Congregational Christians): Baptism is viewed as an outward symbol of one’s “inward grace” given by God. Some churches use the rite as an initiation into church membership. Methods used are immersion, affusion, or aspersion and infant baptism is practiced.
Religions Not Practicing Baptism
Religion | Practice Baptism |
---|---|
Baha'i | no |
Baptists (some denominations) | no |
Christian Scientists | no |
Quakers/ Members of the Religious Society of Friends | no |
Salvation Army | no |
Unitarians | no, but they do practice dedication ceremonies for the children of members |
Denominations Not Practicing Baptism
Today, in particular, several Christian denominations and the Baha'i faith do not believe baptism is necessary. Denominations that follow this belief are:
- Baha’i: Their belief, as dictated by their leader, the prophet Baha’ u’ llah, is that baptism by water refers to “water of knowledge and life.” Baptism by the Holy Spirit refers to the “spirit of divine bounty.”
- Baptists: Though some Baptist groups do practice baptism, as previously stated, others in this denomination do not believe or view the ritual of baptism as necessary.
- Christian Scientists: They believe emphasis should be on the inward aspects of Christian sacraments rather than the practice. Their idea of baptism is the daily study of their texts and living life as is dictated: “Spiritual purification by daily prayer.”
- Quakers (members of the Religious Society of Friends): They reject all forms of outward or public manifestations of their spirituality. They view baptism as an inward sacrament.
- Salvation Army: They too do not believe in outward or public displays of the sacraments. Founders William and Catherine Booth believe Christians must rely on the inward grace granted by God instead of outward symbols.
- Unitarians: They see no basis for baptism. However, they do conduct dedication ceremonies for the children of their members. This usually entails coordination between the parents, the minister, and a religious educator. It involves blessing the new life of the child, an expression of hopes for the child from their parents, and a promise from the congregation to support and nurture them.
Union Between Christian Spirituality and Baptism
Spirituality and the baptismal rite united when John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, appeared. He preached on its association with God (“it came from heaven,” Matthew 21:25) and baptized others, including Jesus, in the Jordan River for the remission of sins. When Jesus died on the cross, baptism became more than a ritual of repentance and forgiveness; it became the uniting force between believers and Jesus.
He was now their savior through “death, burial, and resurrection.” This notion remains relevant to most Christians today. Baptism is considered a public profession of their own beliefs and/or those of their children ("infant baptism" or "christening" as it is called in some denominations).
Types of Baptism
There are two types of baptism. Some might say three because some denominations perform the rite on objects. However, my focus for this article is on the baptism of human beings either as infants or as adults.
Infant Baptism
No one can pinpoint exactly when infant baptism began. Most historians believe it started somewhere between the first and third centuries. Though this is a topic of debate, it is agreed upon that infant baptism was prevalent by at least the third century. The ritual is not practiced by all denominations, and those who do partake do so for different reasons.
The denominations that don't practice infant baptism believe that children (babies, toddlers) are unable to grasp the concept of Jesus Christ as Savior. The denominations that practice infant baptism do so for one of two reasons. Some perform the rite with the belief that we are born into sin and baptism will cleanse us from it, in turn giving us eternal salvation. Others see it as no more than an initiation into the traditions of the faith or the Christian community overall.
Believers tend to baptize their children as close to birth as possible. For instance, in the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy, it's customary though not mandatory, to baptize infants on their eighth day of life. This practice may have Judaic origins relating to the circumcision of male children.
Adult Baptism
According to religious historians, by the third century adult baptism was a mandatory part of Christian life and was deemed a sacrament. Later, there were disagreements among the various groups of Christians about whether or not baptism really was a sacrament; some thought of it as a symbolic ritual.
In sacramental baptism, one declares their belief in Jesus Christ as their Savior. They receive forgiveness of sins, God’s grace, deliverance from death, and eternal salvation. In symbolic baptism, Christians believe it is only a public representation of the sacramental gifts. In some denominations, it is thought that by the age of eight children have enough understanding and can be baptized as adults. Additionally, some faiths require adults to be baptized for membership, even if converts were already baptized as children.
Methods of Baptism
There are three forms of baptism: immersion, affusion (pouring), and aspersion (sprinkling). Again, the methods differ depending on the various traditions of the faith. Those who practice immersion view the rite as cleansing by Jesus’ death and burial and rising from the water with a new life. Those who use affusion and aspersion see the rite as the gift of cleansing and the eternal life of the Spirit coming from above/God.
All faiths agree that the water should be moving, as this represents water that is living. Places used to conduct the ritual include rivers, oceans, lakes, indoor or outdoor swimming pools, and baptismal fonts (a basin or vase).
Immersion
Baptism by immersion can either be the total submergence or partial submergence of the body into the water. With partial submergence, believers stand or kneel while water is poured over them. This was the method of baptism practiced by the early Christians.