Does it matter how we baptize

Does It Matter How We Baptize?

Does It Matter

How We Baptize?


Many groups could drink all of the water they use to baptize. The Catechism of the Catholic Church: “The

essential rite of the sacrament follows: Baptism properly speaking. It signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ. Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water. However, from ancient times it has also been able to be conferred by pouring the water three times over the candidate’s head.” (p. 317, paragraph 1239).


Many groups could drink all of the water they use to baptize. “In administering the sacrament the pouring or

sprinkling of water on the person by the minister fittingly symbolizes the baptism of the Holy Spirit; however the validity of the sacrament is not dependent upon its mode administration” (5.21).

IS BAPTISM BY IMMERSION REALLY IMPORTANT?

EARLY CHURCH HISTORY & BAPTISM


The writings of the early Christians are historical. They are not, however, authoritative for what we

do. Yet, how those closest to the apostles understood

Scripture often sheds light on our understanding.


What did these early Christians say about the mode of baptism? Tertullian (ca AD 200): “Baptism itself is a bodily

act, because we are immersed in water but it has a spiritual effect, because we are set free from sins.”

Cyril of Jerusalem (ca AD 350): “For as he who plunges into the waters and is baptized is surrounded on all sides by the waters so were they also baptized completely by the Spirit. The waters however flows around the outside, but the Spirit baptizes also the soul within completely.”


What did these early Christians say about the mode of baptism?

Basil of Caesarea (ca AD 350): “How then do we become in the likeness of his death? We were buried with him through baptism.... How then do we accomplish the descent into Hades? We imitate the burial of Christ through baptism. For the bodies of those being baptized are as it were buried in water.”

John Chrysostom (ca AD 375): “Exactly as in some tomb, when we sink our heads in water, the old man is buried, and as he is submerged below, he is absolutely and entirely hidden. Then when we lift our heads up, the new man again comes up.”

THE GREEK TERM “BAPTIDZO” MEANS “TO IMMERSE.”


In the ancient world, “baptidzo” had many meanings. The term meant to drown. The word referred to the sinking of a ship. “Baptidzo” meant to flood a city. “Baptidzo” metaphorically meant to be over head

and ears in debt. The term’s usage in antiquity doesn’t lend itself

to any interpretation save immersion.


An ancient Christian document does refer to pouring over the head for baptism. The Didache, written about AD 90 and supposedly

containing the teaching of the apostles, refers pouring water over the head if one is too sick to be baptized or if enough water is not available for immersion.

A different word altogether is used for the pouring of water on the head.

BIBLICAL EVIDENCE OF IMMERSION


John the Baptizer baptized by immersion. “John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim,

because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized” (Jn 3:23, ESV).

John baptized Jesus by immersion (Mk 1:9-10). Why would John have baptized Jesus “in the Jordan”

if that baptism weren’t by immersion? Why would we read that Jesus “came up out of the

water” if that baptism weren’t by immersion?


The symbolic significance of baptism cannot be appreciated without immersion.

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:3-4, ESV).

“In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead” (Col 2:11-12, ESV).

DOES IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?


The answer to that question largely depends upon how I view Scripture. If I view Scripture as an evolving document,

sprinkling & pouring aren’t problems at all. Bea Blair, an ordained female Episcopal priest said,

“The Bible is a history of our growing understanding of God. It needs to be read, listened to, and studied in its context. People have to interpret the Scripture or traditions for themselves.”

If that’s my understanding, sprinkling & pouring aren’t problems at all.


If I view Scripture as God’s final revelation, the way I baptize is extremely important. “Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the

heavens” (Ps 119:89, ESV). “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word

of our God will stand forever” (Is 40:8, ESV). “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words

will not pass away” (Matt 24:35, ESV). I cannot pledge allegiance to Scripture & fail to

understand that the Bible is God’s final & complete revelation.


Scripture commands immersion for forgiveness. “Baptism” is an English word with various

connotations. “Repent and be immersed, every one of your in the

name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38).

Hugo McCord: “Change your hearts and be immersed each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ into the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

“Baptism” is in the English language thanks to the King James translators.

King James had been christened as an infant. The translators, therefore, took the Greek “baptidzo”

& invented the English “baptize.”

ARE YOU OBEYING THE WORDS OF SCRIPTURE?

Spiritual

Does it matter how we baptize