It symbolizes the believer's union with christ in death to sin and resurrection to new life. It is a public sign of fellowship and identification with the church.

Catholics, orthodox, and most mainline protestant groups assert baptism is a requirement for salvation and a sacrament, and speak of 'baptismal regeneration.

The apostle peter taught, “repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of jesus christ for the remission of sins” (acts 2:38). Following paul's conversion, ananias said to him, “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins” (acts 22:16.

No, the church requires for baptism that a witness be christian. Non-christians are welcome to attend a celebration of the sacrament, however, the church makes no demands on their conscience to participate in a rite which may be contrary to their beliefs.

Except in case of necessity, the church is the usual place of baptism. In order that a child be baptized, it is necessary that the parents consent, or at least one of them, or someone legally standing in their place, and that there is reasonable hope that the child will be brought up in the catholic faith.

No passage in the new testament says that water baptism is essential for getting into heaven. Therefore, baptism is not necessary as a means of obtaining eternal life.

The sacrament of baptism is open to all who desire to enter into the christian life. Parents may choose for their child to be baptised according to the instructions given in the catechism of the catholic church.

Answer: no. Anybody—even an atheist—can administer baptism if he has the proper intention.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all that i have commanded you.

The church requires you to have at least one godparent, but one male and one female is the norm. They must be at least 16 years of age, and a practicing catholic who has received the sacraments of eucharist and confirmation.

• The Holy Spirit baptizes us into Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:13) “One Body”- Salvation
• The disciple baptizes us in water (Matthew 28:19
• Jesus baptizes us in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11

The nature of baptism is that of a public act. When a new believer is baptized, he or she is giving a public testimony of his or her faith in jesus as others are witnessing this public identification with christ and the christian church.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all that i have commanded you. And behold, i am with you always, to the end of the age (matthew 28:18-20.

Baptism is also tied to other covenants which included children such as the noahic covenant (1 peter 3:20-21), the davidic covenant (acts 2) and the mosaic covenant (hebrews 10:22 in context of hebrews 9-10.

Acts 2:38 says, “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of jesus christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the holy spirit.” baptists say repentance is a clear prerequisite to baptism here. An infant cannot repent, therefore an infant cannot be baptized.