Infant baptism
Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as
paedobaptism or
pedobaptism from the Greek
pais meaning "child". The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or
credobaptism, from the Latin word
credo meaning "I believe", which is the religious practice of baptising only individuals who personally confess faith in Jesus, therefore excluding underage children. Infant baptism is also called christening by some faith traditions. Most Christians belong to denominations that practise infant baptism. Denominational families that practise infant baptism include Catholics, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, some Nazarenes, the United Church of Christ, Moravian Church, Metropolitan Community Church, Wesleyans, Episcopalians, and Reformed churches.