One of the more controversial subjects in the history of Christianity has been baptism, particularly
the “mode” or proper method for performing this important act of obedience to God. Some
denominational churches employ the use of sprinkling or pouring water upon the subject, while
others say that baptism is by immersion—a burial in water. Which is correct?
Preliminarily, it should be observed that this is not one of those “matters of opinion” that is
of little consequence. We are talking about our soul’s salvation. This is something we need to be
sure about. We need to get it right because our eternal destiny depends upon it. The only way to
be absolutely sure that we are complying with God’s will in this matter is to look honestly and
obediently at what he has said in his word. We must lay aside our opinions, preferences, and
denominational practices. We need to follow the Bible teaching on this matter to the letter.
The first step in answering the question is to look at the meaning of the word translated
“baptism.” As we know, the New Testament was originally written in the Greek language. In order
to define words in the New Testament, therefore, we need to employ a reliable Greek lexicon to
define the word in its original usage. The original Greek word for baptize is baptidzo, derived from
bapto, defined by Strong as “to immerse; submerge; to [over]whelm; i.e. cover wholly with a
fluid.” Thayer defines it as “to dip, to immerse, to submerge, to cleanse by dipping, to overwhelm.”
Strong and Thayer are among the most widely accepted lexicons available. Also, these definitions
are typical of those given by other lexicons and Bible dictionaries.
So if we follow the definition of the word, the question seems to be clearly answered: baptism
is a burial, an immersion in water, not a mere sprinkling or pouring. So how did the practice of
sprinkling get started, and why do some denominations use it? The practice of sprinkling traces its
history not to the Bible, but to A.D. 253, when a man named Novatian was ill and unable to leave
his sickbed. He was permitted by a local “bishop” to substitute the pouring of water upon him.
This incident, reported by the church historian, Eusebius (Church History VI. xliii. 14, 17),
constituted the first known historical substitution of sprinkling or pouring (affusion) in the place
of immersion. Limited at first to cases of hardship, the practice was popularized also by protestant
leaders, and gained acceptance because of its convenience. In A.D. 753, Pope Stephen II declared
that pouring (affusion) was an acceptable substitute for immersion in “cases of necessity.” Hmmm.
A person truly interested in following God’s way will look to the scriptural and clear
definition of God’s words, rather than to the modifications certain men have made down through
the years, no matter how high or well-intended these men may have been. Only by following God’s
word humbly and consistently can we be sure we are pleasing to Him.
That baptism is a burial in water can also be seen from the various New Testament passages
which actually describe the process of being baptized. A good example is the Ethiopian eunuch in
Acts 8. The text says that “as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch
saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” A pond or “certain water” along
the way would have provided adequate water for baptism by immersion. If baptism were simply
by sprinkling, the text makes no sense because that could have been done in the chariot at any
point. The account goes on to describe the baptism: “And he commanded the chariot to stand still:
and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And
when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw
him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing,” (Acts 8:36-39). So again, Bible baptism involved
a place of water in which to be immersed, not merely sprinkling from a canteen or flask carried in
there chariot on this long trip.
A person seriously desiring to obey God, and understanding that his soul is at stake, will want
to take these matters very seriously. I could never recommend that such a person be sprinkled,
when God has clearly commanded that they be baptized. (See also Mark 16:15-16).
