Infant baptism, also known as christening or paedobaptism, is a Christian sacramental practice of baptizing infants and young children. Such practice is done in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, various Protestant denominations, and also in other denominations of Christianity.Brasher, B. (Ed.). (2001). Encyclopedia of fundamentalism: Volume 3 of religion & society (p. 47). Berkshire Publishing Group.Provance, B. S. (2010). Pocket Dictionary of Liturgy & Worship. United States: InterVarsity Press. "Infant baptism is practiced by the [Anglican Communion], [Lutheran Church], [Presbyterian & Reformed Churches], [Roman Catholic Church], and [Methodist Church] churches, often followed by a later rite of *confirmation or profession of faith (Confessional statements: Aug. Conf. 9; Heid. Cat. 74; West. Conf. 28.4; CCC 1250-52; cf. Calvin, Institutes 4.16)" (p. 26). The practice involves baptizing infants born to believing parents as a means of initiating them into the Christian faith. Supporters of infant baptism cite biblical references to the baptism of entire households in the New Testament, as well as Jesus' teachings on welcoming children, as justification for this approach.
In contrast, believer's baptism (credobaptism) is based on the premise that baptism should be administered only to individuals who can personally profess their faith. Those who support this view argue that baptism is a conscious act of commitment to Christianity, requiring an understanding of its significance. As a result, they maintain that only those capable of articulating their belief should participate in the sacrament. This perspective is commonly held by Anabaptists, Baptists, Pentecostals, and other evangelical groups. Proponents of believers’ baptism argue that there are no explicit references to infant baptism in the New Testament, along with the significance of baptism as a personal commitment.
Age Infant baptism practices vary across Christian denominations, typically occurring within the first few weeks after birth, though some traditions perform it immediately, such as in cases of imminent death, or delay it by several months.
In the Roman Catholic tradition, baptism is recommended within the first few weeks, or without delay if the infant is in danger of death, as outlined in the Code of Canon Law (867 §1-§2), with parents responsible for arranging the sacrament.Canon Law Society of America. (2000). New commentary on the Code of Canon Law (J. A. Coriden, J. P. Beal, & T. J. Green, Eds.). Paulist Press. p. 1054. The Eastern Orthodox Church baptizes infants soon after birth, granting full sacramental participation, including Communion, to affirm their spiritual dignity and incorporation into the church.Cuneo, T. (2014). Transforming the self: On the baptismal rite. Religious Studies, 50(3), 279–296. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43658441 Lutheran churches view baptism as a sacrament of grace that forgives original sin, citing God's initiative and rejecting the concept of an "age of accountability," typically performing it without delay.Gassmann, G. (2001). Historical dictionary of Lutheranism (J. Woronoff, Series Ed.). Scarecrow Press. (pp. 34-35). In the Anglican tradition, baptism, or christening, has no age restriction and signifies inclusion in the covenant community, with parents pledging to raise the child in faith until personal confirmation.Anglican Church in North America. (2020). To be a Christian: An Anglican catechism. Crossway. (p. 57) The Reformed tradition, grounded in covenant theology where baptism replaces circumcision, usually administers the sacrament within the first week, as noted in the Westminster Confession.Foster, D. A. (Ed.). (2004). The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 249. Methodists practice baptism at any age, and for infants, it represents prevenient grace, with the congregation and parents committing to the child's spiritual upbringing.Benedict, D. (2009, December 9). What is the appropriate age for baptism and for confirmation? Discipleship Ministries. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/what-is-the-appropriate-age-for-baptism-and-for-confirmation
Ceremony The exact details of the baptismal ceremony vary among Christian denominations. Many follow a prepared ceremony, called a rite or liturgy.
Reception All traditions begin with the reception or presentation of candidates. In the Roman Catholic Rite of Baptism for Several Children, this includes the Reception of the Children and a Liturgy of the Word with Scripture readings, homily, and intercessions. Similarly, Episcopal and Lutheran rites open with the Presentation and Examination of Candidates, including questions to parents, sponsors, or godparents. This phase highlights communal recognition and prepares candidates (and their families) for baptism.Johnson, M. E. (2007). The rites of Christian initiation: Their evolution and interpretation (2nd rev. & expanded ed., pp. 402–448). Liturgical Press. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the rite opens with the "reception of the catechumens," where the celebrant prays for the candidate to become "a reason-endowed sheep in the holy flock of your Christ, an honorable member of your Church, a child of the light, and an heir of your Kingdom."Cuneo, T. (2014). Transforming the self: on the baptismal rite. Religious Studies, 50(3), 279–296. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43658441
Prayer and anointment Prayers and symbolic anointings mark spiritual preparation. The Roman Catholic rite includes a Prayer of Exorcism and Anointing before Baptism, emphasizing purification. Episcopal and Lutheran traditions incorporate Prayers for the Candidates and, in Lutheranism, a Prayer of the Church invoking the Holy Spirit. While explicit anointing is more prominent in Catholicism (e.g., post-baptismal chrismation), all rites emphasize prayer as a means of spiritual strengthening. In the Eastern Orthodox rite, multiple exorcisms are performed, and prayers are made for the water to be "the water of redemption, the water of sanctification, the purification of flesh and spirit, the loosing of bonds, the remission of sins, the illumination of the soul, the laver of regeneration, the renewal of the spirit, the gift of adoption to sonship, the garment of incorruption, the fountain of life."
Blessing of water and baptism The blessing of water and baptism proper are central to all rites. Roman Catholics perform a Blessing and Invocation of God over Baptismal Water, while Episcopalians and Lutherans include a Thanksgiving over the Water. Baptism itself is administered using the Trinitarian formula: Catholics, Episcopalians, and Lutherans all employ immersion or pouring "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the celebrant prays for the water to be sanctified with "the power (energeia) of the Holy Spirit," and the baptism is performed by triple immersion, immediately followed by Chrismation (anointing with holy oil).
Explanatory rites and seal of the spirit Post-baptismal rituals symbolize the candidate’s new identity. Roman Catholics include Explanatory Rites: anointing with chrism (Seal of the Spirit), clothing in a white garment, presentation of a lighted candle, and the Ephphetha prayer. Episcopalians offer a Prayer for the Sevenfold Gift of the Holy Spirit, while Lutherans seal the candidate with a Prayer of the Church and present a baptismal candle. Eastern Orthodox Christians, after baptism, immediately chrismate the newly baptized, praying that the newly illumined will "please you in every deed and word, and may be a child and heir of your heavenly kingdom," affirming a twofold transformation: normative membership in the Church and acquisition of the "regenerate states" (purification, sanctification, illumination, regeneration). These rites signify the Holy Spirit's indwelling and the community's welcome.
Conclusion While baptism itself does not always include Eucharist, its communal context often ties to Eucharistic worship. For example: Roman Catholics conclude with the Lord’s Prayer and a blessing, linking baptism to the broader liturgical life of the Church. Lutherans use a Baptismal Welcome, where the congregation affirms the newly baptized, often within a Eucharistic service. Episcopalians integrate baptism into the Baptismal Covenant, aligning it with congregational vows that precede shared Eucharist. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, baptism, chrismation, and first communion are typically administered together, even to infants, as baptism is seen as full incorporation into the Church's life, granting immediate access to the sacraments. Though not explicitly part of the baptismal rubric in all traditions, baptism is understood as initiation into a Eucharistic community.
Historical development
First century First-century Christian baptism primarily involved adult believers, with no definitive New Testament evidence for infant baptism, though some suggest household baptisms may have included infants.Lawson, K. E. (2011). Baptismal theology and practices and the spiritual nurture of children: Part I: early and medieval church. Christian Education Journal, 8(1), 130+. "Though hotly debated, it is unclear whether or not children in the church during the New Testament era were baptized. Examples shared in the Bible generally either focus on adult believers receiving baptism" (p. 131).Livingstone, E. A. (Ed.). (2006). The concise Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199659623.001.0001