Sprinkling, Pouring, Or Immersion?

David Eldridge

There are those who teach that baptism can be performed by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. Since “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Peter 3:21), it is important we know what mode God has approved when it comes to this faithful act of submission to His will.

The meaning of the word “baptism” is immersion. The word “baptism,” as it appears in our New Testament is defined as, “Consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion and emergence” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words). The very word itself teaches us that the baptism of the Bible is wrought only by the process of immersion.

John baptized by immersion. If baptism can be sprinkling or pouring then all one needs is a cup or pitcher of water to baptize several people. I wonder then why John was “baptizing in Aenon near Salim?” The Record states it was, “because there was much water there” (Jn. 3:23). John needed much water because he was immersing those whom he baptized, not sprinkling or pouring. John the baptist knew, as we should, that baptism was by the process of immersion.

Baptism is likened to a burial. Last time you drove by a cemetery, did you see a bunch of six foot deep holes containing a casket with just a little handful of dirt sprinkled over them? When there is a burial one is covered completely (immersed) by the dirt. In Colossians 2:12, Paul wrote that we are, “buried with Him in baptism” (cf. Rom. 6:3-6). Baptism is liked to a burial because it is an immersion in water.

When the man of Ethiopia was baptized, he was immersed. Acts 8 finds Philip, the evangelist, preaching to the man of Ethiopia. Upon the confession of this man’s faith, “He commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water…” (Ac. 8:38-39). Clearly this is an example of immersion. They went down in the water, he baptized him, and they came up out of the water. Try doing that in a pitcher or cup – it won’t work will it?

Truly, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk. 16:16). But only he who is truly baptized, based upon his faith, by the process of immersion.