Believer Baptism (also called credobaptism) is the Christian ritual of baptism as given only to adults and children who first proclaim to believe in Jesus as their personal savior, resurrected by the power of God the Father. Whereas Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and a number of Protestant churches baptize infant children of believers (see pedobaptism), Believer's Baptism can only be administered to someone over the age of accountability or reason, which is usually 8-12, depending on the individual church, and sometimes on the individual themselves. (Sometimes there is no set age, but instead each person wanting to be baptized will be interviewed by a pastor or other church leader who determines whether the person truly believes their profession of faith, and the applicant may attend catechism or faith exploration classes. Thus, intellectual understanding and agreement are prerequisites for baptism, according to this view.) In the Mennonite church, those wishing to be baptized are usually in their mid-teens or older; in other denominations it is sometimes younger. Some would suggest that Believer's Baptism is like a Catholic Confirmation and baptism combined. Especially in areas where those holding this viewpoint are predominant or have major cultural influence, Believer's Baptism may function as something of a rite of passage. Most denominations who practice Beliver's Baptism also require its mode to be that of total immersion rather than affusion.

Believer's Baptism in some denominations is also associated with the idea that baptism is necessary to gain full access to the local church. This is generally the case with churches that use a congregational form of church government. People who want to become part of that church must undergo Believer's Baptism in the local church, or a church that has been determined to have the same beliefs, before they can become a member. Typically those who were baptized in another church of like faith and practice gain membership in a local church with either the process known as 'membership by letter' or that of 'membership by statement', depending on whether the other church is still in existence or not.

Believer's Baptism is one of several distinctives associated with the Baptist and Anabaptist churches, and some churches which share important theological background with them, such as churches associated with the American Restoration Movement. Many churches associated with Pentecostalism also practice Believer's Baptism.

See also: confirmation (sacrament)

External Links

Lots of articles about Infant Baptism and Believer's Baptism from a Reformed and Protestant Perspective (http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/babtism.html)