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In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for example, everyone who desires to enter the waters of baptism must first be interviewed to see if they qualify for baptism.

The Catholics also have requirements for baptism, which are defined in the Code of Canon Law

Are there any Protestant denominations that have specific requirements for baptism?

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  • According to which protestants?
    – Flimzy
    Commented Sep 25, 2014 at 16:01
  • It is my understanding that many protestants acknowledge baptisms from other denominations. Is this assumption incorrect?
    – ShemSeger
    Commented Sep 25, 2014 at 16:05

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Generally speaking, many Protestant churches have no other requirement outside of a statement of faith by the individual seeking baptism. This practice corresponds to various accounts in the book of Acts, and the baptism happens immediately after the people believe.

But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed. Acts 8:12-13 NASB

And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. Acts 8:38 (Ethiopian Eunuch)

“Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” Acts 10:47 NASB (Cornelius)

Some denominations, however, practice infant baptism. For these, of course, the only requirement is that the parents bring the children to be baptized.

I know the International Churches of Christ once required a certain level of discipleship prior to baptism, as they held to the concept of "disciples baptism" rather than "believers baptism". Oddly enough, they believed that baptism was essential for salvation, but would encourage some people to delay their baptism until they were really ready for that commitment, which seems counter-intuitive if eternity is, indeed, at stake.

There may be other denominations that require something akin to confirmation prior to baptism, but I think it would be difficult for anyone to know the baptismal requirements for any and all groups.

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    For those Protestant denominations which practice infant baptism, are there typically requirements for the parents/guardians? (perhaps in terms of classes that must be taken, some level of involvement with the church, etc.?)
    – Matt Gutting
    Commented Sep 25, 2014 at 17:34
  • This is good general information, but it doesn't necessarily answer the question.
    – ShemSeger
    Commented Sep 25, 2014 at 20:05
  • @ShemSeger Agreed, the way the question is worded, but it seemed to be better to list classes rather than individual denominations.
    – Narnian
    Commented Sep 26, 2014 at 11:54
  • "For these, of course, the only requirement is that the parents bring the children to be baptized" – this is not correct in many (most?) denominations that baptize infants.
    – Nathaniel is protesting
    Commented Jun 19, 2017 at 23:27

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