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What is the scriptural mode of baptism?


Introduction. A large segment of the religious world recognizes sprinkling, pouring, and immersion as scriptural modes of water baptism. However, for which action is there Bible authority?

The word "baptism" means immersion. Regarding the Greek noun baptisma (translated baptism), Mr. Vine comments: "Baptism, consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion, and emergence (from bapto, to dip)..." (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, vol. I, pg. 96). Hence, some translations translate baptisma immersion.

The examples of water baptism lend themselves to the action of immersion. John was baptizing in Aenon "...because there was much water there," we are told (John 3: 23). We are informed that "...Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water..." (Matt. 3: 16). Why did Jesus go into the water if he was only sprinkled or poured? Incidentally, how can a person be sprinkled or poured (a person can be immersed, see also Acts 8: 36-39)?

Baptism is a burial. Paul compares water baptism to the death and burial of Jesus (Rom. 6: 3-13). Jesus was entombed or immersed in the stone sepulcher (Matt. 27: 66). Hence, Paul wrote: "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6: 4, see also Col. 2: 12).

Evidence from history. Sprinkling/pouring were not recognized as officially acceptable as the norm until about 1311 A.D. The first departure from immersion, of which we have documentation, was in about 251 A.D. Sprinkling and pouring for baptism are foreign to the scriptures. Sprinkling and pouring for baptism is just another example of man adding to the scriptures (Rev. 22: 18,19). Immersion is authorized.
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