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Baptismal regeneration, the literal meaning of which is "being generated again" (regeneration) "through baptism" (baptismal), is the doctrine within some Christian
Christian

A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism#Christian view religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus and interpreted by Christians to have been prophesied in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament....
 denominations
Christian denomination

A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity.Worldwide, Christians are divided, often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions....
 that holds that salvation
Salvation

In religion, salvation is the concept that God saves humanity from death. As commonly conceived, He has both Will of God and omnipotence to realize human salvation....
 is dependent upon the act of baptism
Baptism

In Christianity, baptism is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted as a full member of the Christian Church and, in the view of some, as a member of the particular Church in which the baptism is administered....
; in other words, baptismal regenerationists believe that one must be baptized in order to be saved instead of by mere belief. Critics of the concept frequently allege that the concept of baptismal regeneration tends to emphasize form (including the role of water) instead of meaning; supporters of the concept may identify meaning with form and cite biblical passages such as Luke 6:46.

Adherents of this doctrine include Roman Catholic and Orthodox
Orthodox Christianity

KAHThe term Orthodox Christianity may refer to:* The Eastern Orthodox Church: the Eastern Christianity churches of Byzantine Rite tradition that adhere to the first seven Ecumenical Councils, and are in full communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and with each other....
Churches
Christian Church

Christian Church and the word church are used to denote both a Christian Groups of people and a Church . The word church is usually, but not exclusively, associated with Christianity....
 and both Old High-Church and Anglo-Catholic factions of the Anglican Church
Christian Church

Christian Church and the word church are used to denote both a Christian Groups of people and a Church . The word church is usually, but not exclusively, associated with Christianity....
.






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Baptismal regeneration, the literal meaning of which is "being generated again" (regeneration) "through baptism" (baptismal), is the doctrine within some Christian
Christian

A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism#Christian view religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus and interpreted by Christians to have been prophesied in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament....
 denominations
Christian denomination

A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity.Worldwide, Christians are divided, often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions....
 that holds that salvation
Salvation

In religion, salvation is the concept that God saves humanity from death. As commonly conceived, He has both Will of God and omnipotence to realize human salvation....
 is dependent upon the act of baptism
Baptism

In Christianity, baptism is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted as a full member of the Christian Church and, in the view of some, as a member of the particular Church in which the baptism is administered....
; in other words, baptismal regenerationists believe that one must be baptized in order to be saved instead of by mere belief. Critics of the concept frequently allege that the concept of baptismal regeneration tends to emphasize form (including the role of water) instead of meaning; supporters of the concept may identify meaning with form and cite biblical passages such as Luke 6:46.

Adherents of this doctrine include Roman Catholic and Orthodox
Orthodox Christianity

KAHThe term Orthodox Christianity may refer to:* The Eastern Orthodox Church: the Eastern Christianity churches of Byzantine Rite tradition that adhere to the first seven Ecumenical Councils, and are in full communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and with each other....
Churches
Christian Church

Christian Church and the word church are used to denote both a Christian Groups of people and a Church . The word church is usually, but not exclusively, associated with Christianity....
 and both Old High-Church and Anglo-Catholic factions of the Anglican Church
Christian Church

Christian Church and the word church are used to denote both a Christian Groups of people and a Church . The word church is usually, but not exclusively, associated with Christianity....
. It is also taught by Mormon
Mormon

Mormon is a term used to describe the adherents, practitioners, followers or constituents of Mormonism. The term most often refers to a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , which is commonly called the Mormon Church....
s. Lutherans are thought to purport this doctrine, but article 251 of Luther's Small Catechism refutes this. Churches associated with the Restoration movement
Restoration Movement

The Restoration Movement began during the Second Great Awakening early nineteenth century as a movement to reform the church and unite Christians....
, which includes the Churches of Christ, are sometimes alleged to support the doctrine of baptismal regeneration, a contention which the Restoration Movement
Restoration Movement

The Restoration Movement began during the Second Great Awakening early nineteenth century as a movement to reform the church and unite Christians....
 churches themselves deny.

The doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church, officially known as the Catholic Church is the world's largest Christianity Ecclesia , representing over half of all Christians and one-sixth of the world population....
 on this matter is that, while, in Jesus himself affirms that baptism is necessary for salvation, the effects of sacramental baptism are brought about also by "Baptism of blood" (dying for the sake of the faith) and "Baptism of desire", whether explicit, as in the case of catechumens, or implicit, as in the case of anyone who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, while, as regards children who die without baptism, the Church entrusts them to the mercy of God. In Roman Catholic teaching, baptism, like all the sacraments, presupposes faith and by words and objects also nourishes, strengthens, and expresses it. "Baptism is the sacrament of faith (cf. Mark 16:16). But faith needs the community of believers. It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe. The faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop."

Baptismal regeneration is held to be heretic
Heretic

A heretic is a person who expresses or acts on opinions considered to be heresy.Heretic may also refer to:*Heretic , 1994 game from Raven Software...
al by Reformed churches
Reformed churches

The Reformed churches are a group of Christian Protestant Christian denomination formally characterized by a similar Calvinism system of doctrine, historically related to the churches that first arose especially in the Swiss Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli and soon afterward appeared in nations throughout Western and Central Europe....
. Leonard Feeney
Leonard Feeney

Father Leonard Feeney was a U.S. Jesuit priest who defended the strict interpretation of the Roman Catholic doctrine, extra Ecclesiam nulla salus , arguing that baptism of blood and baptism of desire are unavailing and that all non-Catholics therefore will not be saved....
's propounding the view that water baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation brought him into conflict with the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church, officially known as the Catholic Church is the world's largest Christianity Ecclesia , representing over half of all Christians and one-sixth of the world population....
.

Arguments for and against

Scriptures such as and are used by proponents to support this teaching.

Opponents often cite the account of where Jesus
Jesus

Jesus of Nazareth , also known as Jesus Christ, is the central figure of Christianity and is revered by most Christian churches as the Son of God and the Incarnation ....
, when on the cross
Cross

A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run diagonally, the design is technically termed a saltire....
, said to one of the thieves crucified with him, "Today, you shall be with me in paradise," although there is no record that he had been baptized. Proponents allege that, before Jesus' death on the cross, he did at times forgive sins for differing reasons and with differing actions on the part of the one forgiven (cf. , ) but, since his death, one must be united with him through baptism . Naturally, this argument is rejected by Christians who believe that God has always saved people by the same means
Means of Grace

The Means of Grace in Christian theology are those things through which God gives Divine grace. Just what this grace entails is interpreted in various ways: generally speaking, some see it as God blessing humankind so as to sustain and empower the Christian life; others see it as forgiveness, life, and salvation....
 for the same reason.

See also

Baptism
Baptism

In Christianity, baptism is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted as a full member of the Christian Church and, in the view of some, as a member of the particular Church in which the baptism is administered....


Means of Grace
Means of Grace

The Means of Grace in Christian theology are those things through which God gives Divine grace. Just what this grace entails is interpreted in various ways: generally speaking, some see it as God blessing humankind so as to sustain and empower the Christian life; others see it as forgiveness, life, and salvation....