Answering a question about baptism by immersion
A friend of mine ask how to answer the question of a born-again that says we (Catholics) are wrong in administering baptism by pouring or sprinkling because the bible teaches that baptism should be only administered by immersion
My reply:
First of all, tell him that Catholics accept immersion as a valid mean to administer baptism. However, it is not the only accepted mean but other means like sprinkling and pouring are also valid means to administer baptism. And then proceed to tell him that never it is mention in the Bible that baptism is administered by immersion only. He may cite the baptism of Jesus in Jordan which
The baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ
states ” He came out of the water” (Matthew 3:16) as proof of baptism by immersion. Granted it is (although the words “came out of the water do not necessarily means total immersion for they could just imply that Jesus came up on the shore of the Jordan river after standing ankle deep in the water), the fact remains that it is not written in that passage nor in any passages in the bible that baptism is exclusively administered by means of immersion and nothing else. It only mentioned that Jesus is baptized apparently by immersion but it does not deny that the other means of baptism are not allowed like sprinkling or pouring. He is arguing from silence.
Let us take an example. We read in the Bible that Jesus entered Jerusalem before his passion by riding a donkey. Can we then conclude then that the ONLY way to enter Jerusalem is by riding on a donkey? Of course not! That’s absurd!
Also tell him that his position baptism by immersion is against the fundamental belief of Bible Alone (which I assume he adheres). If Bible Alone is applied in this case (baptism by immersion) then baptism by immersion is wrong. Remember that Bible Alone teaches that if it is not explicitly written in the Bible, then that belief or doctrine is not true. In this case (baptism by immersion), we argue that since nowhere in the Bible that says EXPLICITLY that baptism can only be administered by immersion, therefore we conclude that this belief is not true.
The next question is, if immersion is not the only mean to administer baptism, are there any biblical passages that imply that baptism can be administered by other means like sprinkling or pouring? The answer is yes.
Read the following passages
Acts 2:41 – at Peter’s first sermon in Jerusalem, 3,000 new Christians were baptized. There is archeological proof that immersion would have been impossible in this area in Jerusalem. Instead, these 3,000 people had to be sprinkled or poured in water baptism.
Acts 9:18; 22:16 – Paul is baptized while standing up in the house of Judas. There is no mention of hot tub or swimming pool for immersion. It shows that Paul was sprinkled or poured.
Acts 10: 47-48 – Peter baptized in the house of Cornelius, even though hot tubs and swimming pools were not part of homes. Again these new Christians must had been baptized by sprinkling or pouring.
Acts 16:33 – the baptism of the jailer and his household appears to be done in the house, so immersion is not possible unless the jailer is rich (which is not) and had a swimming pool inside his house in order to have baptism by immersion.
