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This manner of baptism continued from the early 30s AD until the Roman Empire assumed control of religion in the early 300s AD. At that time the early Catholic Church required that individuals being baptized be clothed. In 1311 at the Council of Ravenna, the Catholic Church decided that full immersion was no longer necessary and began the practice of pouring. After the reformation of the 16th and 17th centuries, many Protestant denominations chose to return to the practice of immersion (Porter, 2008).
While most Christian denominations practice baptism, they differ on when and how the sacrament should be administered. Some churches, such as Catholic, Orthodox, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Methodists practice infant baptism. According to Anonymous (2005), "For these churches, infant baptism is seen as a ceremony inducting the newborn into the community of faith and indicating the community's commitment to raise him or her to be a faithful Christian. In the Middle Ages, it was widely believed that it washes away original sin, thereby ensuring salvation if the child died." This rite is typically called christening. Additionally, adult family members or friends of the baptized infant's...
These churches also practice the pouring method of baptism rather than immersion.
Conversely denominations such as the Baptists and Evangelicals reject the idea of infant baptism. Anonymous (2005) explains, "Christians believe that baptism can only be meaningful and effective if undertaken by someone old enough to understand and assent to the sacrament. This is referred to as "believer's baptism," and is usually done by full immersion in water."
References:
Anonymous. (2005) "Christian Baptism." ReligionFacts. Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/practices/baptism.htm.
baptism. (2008). In The Columbia Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com.library.capella.edu/entry/columency/baptism
Porter, M.L. (2008) The history of baptism; from Jewish ritual to Christian doctrine. Suite101.com. Retrieved from http://www.suite101.com/content/the-history-of-baptism-a53162?template=article_print.cfm
Shaw, J. (2003). Baptism. Oxford Companion to the Body. Retrieved from http://www.answers.com/topic/baptism
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