Baptism: Sprinkling or Immersion?

[BLUEMOON74]

Greetings in Christ!

I was perusing through a protestant pamphlet that was covering basic Christian beliefs (biased, I’m afraid, on their behalf) and came across the subject of Baptism. It insisted on baptism by immersion, citing certain scripture to back up the statement. It did not condone infant baptism or sprinkling. The subject brought to mind many discussions that I’ve had with other Christians, particularly Protestants who insist that baptism must be done by immersion only.
The publication also stressed that it must be in the name of Jesus Christ (who else would it be??!!) Some Protestants are adamant in their belief that a Catholic is not really baptized, since we utilize sprinkling. Some also erroneously believe Catholics are not even Christians….perplexing, to say the least . I always reply that all Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics. Maybe someone can help me with how to intelligently answer a Protestant when the subject of baptism comes up? Thanks for your help,

Dominus Vobiscum +++,
Jerald Franklin Archer

Laudetur Jesus Christus!

You’ll get a lot of that from Protestants. Believe me I have had this debate with them before. They make speculations bc they do not know the history of the Catholic Church nor or they informed of our sacraments. Problem is with Protestants is that they hear something and that is passed down and then it becomes a big rumor and they dont do their homework before they point the finger at our religion. Tell them about our sacraments, that yes, while a child is baptised as an infant, they are also confirmed as an adult bc that is their arguement that a person shoud be the age of reason to recieve baptism. Also inform them of the many converts that go through RCIA that are baptised as adults. When they press and argue, you tell them that’s the way it is and we can agree to disagree bc they’re not going to heaven any faster than you are.

 

[GIMJ]

I believe that pouring is more common in the United States than Immersion. It of course would be totally up to the pastor or Bishop if Conditional Baptism would be required, after an investigation of course.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[juliamajor]

read the Didache-Apostolic teachings

 

[bpbasilphx]

is a thing such as “infant immersion” approved by the Church?

It’s done all the time in the Eastern churches–both those in union with Rome and those not.

 

[MARrshh]

You’ll find that many people say “Immersion” when they mean “Submersion”. That is, they believe the entire body must be lowered beneath the water’s surface for it to be a valid baptism.

That was the understanding in the little “Deep-Water Fundamentalist” church I was raised in. I spend several years after my baptism at age 11 worrying about whether a hand or foot might have never gone under, as I was splashing and spluttering in terror (still today have a fear of water!).

Think of it this way: I am happy to be ‘immersed’ in my work, for instance, but try to not let myself become ‘submerged’ by it!

And wouldn’t it seem that a person standing in waist-high water is ‘immersed’ in that water, especially if he had waded out some distance from shore?

And more specifically with regard to baptism, I’ve seen images of the convert kneeling in ankle or knee-depth water, with the one administering baptism standing over him and pouring water on his head. That image always had the ring of truth to it to me.

 

[Newbie2]

It’s strange to me that those who insist on baptism by immersion usually believe baptism is only symbolic anyway and doesn’t actually convey saving grace. Here’s an article I found that might help you:

catholic.com/library/Baptism_Immersion_Only.asp

God bless!

I saw a DVD once on different types of baptismal fonts. They showed ancient ones where they walked in one end and out the other, and traced different sized over the times. I nearly wet meself laughing when they showed this chalice-sized baptismal font and commented, “Some churches have reduced baptism to the spiritual equivalent of dry cleaning”.

That was the understanding in the little “Deep-Water Fundamentalist” church I was raised in.

I can just pictue a sign out front, “The Deep-Water Church of Jesus”.

 

[roanoker]

Seems to me its a real fine line between sprinkling and pouring. For example, you could sprinkle a lot of water, or pour just a little. I think its hair splitting, myself. Its the intent that matters.

 

[po18guy]

Maybe a sat photo would show it more clearly, but Damascus appears to have no source of water other than wells. If so, just how did Ananias baptize Saul of Tarsus? It would have to have been by pouring, and has been so portrayed in at least one film about Saul’s conversion.

Acts 9:16-19 (New International Version) “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Christ’s peace.

 

[cookie1203]

just curious on this subject, is there an straight forward example in the bible of people being baptized through the sprinkling/pouring method? it is my understanding that the word used for baptize in Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38 is “baptizo” which means “to immerse.” Thank you