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hundreds of years the Christian church continued to practice its belief
that through baptism the Holy Spirit bestows a new spiritual status upon
the one baptized, regardless of age. But around the 16th century some
radical reformers began to place their emphasis upon what human beings
can do and see, thereby denying the clear statements of Scripture regarding
baptism's regenerating power. "Baptism ...saves" (1 Peter 3:21). |
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An ordinance, a symbolic ritual, not necessary to salvation.
A time for person to express personal faith in Christ. |
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By immersion only. |
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No. Only those old enough to give expression of knowledge
of their conversion. Children "dedicated" or "presented"
to God. |
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A divine ordinance, a symbolic ritual, a sign of having already
been saved, but not necessary for salvation. |
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By immersion only. |
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No. Baptism is an act of confession that is done by a converted
person able to profess faith. |
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The "Mystery" (Sacrament) is necessary because it confers forgiveness
for both native sinfulness and actual transgressions |
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By immersion 3 times (sprinkling accepted only in emergency). |
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Yes. Also receive Holy Communion and the Chrismation (anointing). |
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Yes. |
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Necessary to salvation because it conveys spiritual rebirth. |
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By immersion or pouring. |
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Yes. |
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Yes. Anglo-Catholic, but "low" Episcopalians do
not. |
| (Anglicans, Anglo-Catholics) |
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A vehicle for God's Spirit to bestow the necessary new life giving status
upon sinners (Titus 3:5). |
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By sprinkling, pouring, or immersing. |
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Yes. |
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Yes. |
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Baptism not necessary to salvation, since it is an outward
sign of one's membership in the Christian community. |
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By sprinkling, pouring, or immersing. |
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Yes. |
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Yes. |
| (Arminians, Wesleyans) |
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An ordinance, a symbolic ritual, and a seal of the adult believer's present
faith. |
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By sprinkling, pouring, or immersing. |
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Yes, to indicate membership in the Covenant Community of their Christian
parents. |
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Water baptism is an ordinance, a symbolic ritual used to witness
to having accepted Christ as personal Savior. |
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By immersion. Also stress the necessity of a "second"
baptism of a special outpouring from the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking
in unintelligible language. |
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No. But dedicate children to God, asking His blessing on them. |
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| (Various "holiness" groups, Christian Missionary Alliance, Assemblies
of God) |
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Only an external symbol that is no longer to be practiced. |
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Do not believe in baptism of water, but only in an inward,
ongoing purification of the human spirit in a life of discipline led by
the Holy Spirit. |
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| (Religious Society of Friends, and the Mennonites) |
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Necessary for the infusion of the sanctifying power called grace that
starts one on the path to salvation. |
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Primarily by sprinkling. |
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Yes. |
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Yes. |
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Do not baptize anyone today. Believe it was to be done only at the time
of Christ. |
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Not necessary for salvation because it is only an outward
ritual. |
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By sprinkling. |
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No. Baptism administered at the time of Confirmation. Infants
are "presented" or "dedicated" to God by parents or
sponsors. |
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| (Evangelical and Reformed Churches, and the Congregationalist Churches) |
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An ordinance essential to salvation for the removal of sins
and entrance into the church. |
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By immersion performed by a person holding proper priesthood
authority. |
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No. Only those 8 years old and older. |
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| Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints (Anti-Trinitarian) |
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Baptism not necessary for salvation since it is only a symbol
of one's attitude of being dead to sin. |
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By immersion, but not done in their meeting places (Kingdom
Halls). |
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No. |
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| (Anti-Trinitarian) |
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Birth is always a gift from God, and not something
we do for ourselves. Christians who follow the practice of the early
church, as do the Lutherans, declare that baptism is more than a human
act remembering some action of God in the past, and more than a human
act of obedience to a divine command. Baptism is rebirth (John 3:3-5),
initiated and carried out by God. Baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21) because
the Holy Spirit is enveloped in its waters to bring the baptized into
a new life of salvation through connection with Jesus Christ (Titus
3:5; Romans 6:4).
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