What are the different types of baptism?

As a result of differences in interpretation of Biblical text, there exists three general modes or methods of water baptism in Christian churches today.

The three main modes are: 

1. Immersion – total or partial submersion of the body in water

2. Aspersion – sprinkling of water over the head

3. Affusion – pouring of water over the head

Various denominations remain divided on the question of what the most proper or truthful mode of baptism is – the mode of baptism that is the most faithful to Biblical records, and whether or not all three modes are to be deemed as acceptable. Moreover, within these three general modes of water baptism, the step-by-step procedure in execution is flexible / adaptable and even less concrete.

Why practice immersion in water baptism?

Immersion is practiced by denominations such as Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witness. These denominations draw evidence to support the mode of baptism from the English translation of the original Greek text, where the Greek word ‘baptizo’ means to plunge, dip, or immerse something. Commonly referred to Bible verses include Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3: 16 and the Ethiopian eunuch’s baptism in Acts 8: 38-39. From these Biblical records, these denominations strongly believe the need for full or partial immersion into large bodies of water in order for the baptised to go down into and come up from.

They also share the belief that immersion in water baptism seems to best symbolise baptism into Jesus Christ’s body, that is the church (1 Corinthians 12: 13), and His death and resurrection (Romans 6: 4), stepping into a new life and new covenant in Christ after baptism.

Their respective procedures of baptism, however, are not as homogenous. Several denominations baptise in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, with the baptised heads facing upwards and in man-made bodies of water, e.g., swimming pools, believing that any water body or source of running water is acceptable in Christian baptisms. They are not adamant about the type of water or stringent methodology of baptism as they believe that the core of baptism is but the intent of the heart of the baptised and their witnesses.

Why practice aspersion in water baptism?

In keeping to Old Testament ordinances that required sprinkling to symbolise cleansing, and where such sprinklings were once acknowledged as ‘baptisms’ (Hebrews 9: 10), notable denominations that practice aspersion include Lutherans, Anglicans and Presbyterians. 

Selectively quoting from Bible verses such as Leviticus 14: 7, “And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose in the open field.”, Exodus 24: 8, “And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.””, and Ezekiel 36: 25-27, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”, these denominations draw parallels between purification rituals in the Old Testament and the significance and effectiveness of water baptism in the New Testament.

These denominations argue that sprinkling, especially having taken into consideration plausible physical constraints, such as the health of baptism candidates and limited access to bodies of water, is still an approved mode of baptism. They believe that, when necessity compels and since God has freely bestowed His pardon and divine benefits upon all who believe, the mode of baptism by sprinkling remains valid and should not be hindered because of strict adherence to mere Biblical recordings.

Why practice affusion in water baptism?

The least common mode of water baptism practiced by the Amish and some Catholics, is affusion. They argue that the action of pouring best captures the image of the descent of the Holy Spirit onto believers, referring to repeated Biblical texts in Joel 2: 28-29 and Acts 2: 17-18, “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”.

Further evidence validating the practice of pouring as a means of baptism was discovered from ancient drawings in catacombs, depicting people being waist deep in water, having water poured onto them.

Diversity in and deviation from the true and accurate mode of baptism stems from the understanding of the Bible in totality. Regarding the institution of mandatory sacraments and their methodologies, the Bible may not be as clear or straightforward as in its establishment of Old Testament laws, but the onus is on us, as believers of God, to diligently search and seek the truth spread across all corners of the Bible, instead of settling for the universal blanket statements to justify the efficacy of any and all purposes of and approaches to baptism.

How does the True Jesus Church baptise / conduct baptism? 

In the True Jesus Church, the mode of water baptism is completely faithful to scripture, modelled after examples set by Jesus and His disciples and apostles.

Water baptism must first and foremost be performed in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4: 10-12), not in the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed to the people of Israel that salvation is in no one else except Jesus Christ, that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4: 12).

This is highlighted in the Acts of the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 38), during the baptism of believers at Samaria (Acts 8: 16), and the baptism of Cornelius and his household (Acts 10: 48), just to list a few.

The original Greek text of Matthew 28: 19 does not pose as a contradictory perspective but indicates singularity in conveying to readers the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, revealing that God is one and not three. Jesus is one with the Father (John 10: 30) and is the Father manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3: 16). Thus, Jesus is God’s name (John 17: 6, 11-12, 26). The Holy Spirit is then the spirit of the Father and the Son (Romans 8: 9, Acts 16: 6-7). 

Secondly, baptists are to baptise the baptism candidates with their faces / heads bowed down. It is key that we understand the spiritual significance of physical baptism. Outwardly, baptism is to bear the likeness of Jesus’ death on the cross (John 19: 30), burying us and our old sinful inward selves with Jesus into death and, just as Jesus resurrected, raises us from the dead into a new life (Romans 6: 3-5, Colossians 2: 12). Additionally, the bowing of the head demonstrates repentance and humility, a resolve to turn from sin as forgiveness is granted through baptism (Luke 18: 13, Ezra 9: 6).

Finally, water baptism requires full body immersion in living water. Aside from the original Hebrew translation of the word (that is, to dip / immerse), there is no lack of written records in the Bible of these two requirements. As aforementioned, to be baptised is to be buried with Jesus. Apostle Paul emphasises in his epistles that ‘to bury’ implies the need for coverage of the entire body, and that if the mode of full body immersion in water is not applied, baptism’s spiritual significance cannot be expressed and fulfilled (Colossians 2: 12, Romans 6: 3-4), causing the baptism to be invalid. Genesis 8: 2, Zechariah 13: 1, Micah 7: 19, and John 3: 23 reveal the need for baptism to be conducted only in natural sources of water such as rivers, streams, springs and oceans.

Old Testament prefigurations of water baptism include the salvation of Noah and his household, and later, the Israelite nation (1 Peter 3: 20-21, 1 Corinthians 10: 1-2, Isaiah 51: 10). During the flood, Noah’s ark was completely surrounded with water (Genesis 7: 17-24). When crossing the Red Sea, the waters of the Red Sea were as high walls on the right and left sides of the Israelites, overwhelming them (Exodus 14: 21-22). New Testament examples of water baptism include that of Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 3: 16, John 3: 23) and those in the Apostolic era (Acts 8: 38). 

Consistent with God’s immutable nature, He instituted only one true baptism (Ephesians 4: 5); any other modes or means by which baptism is conducted is false, so, those who have received the wrong baptism must be baptised again according to the truth (Acts 19: 2-7). God’s commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5: 3) as He desires that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of His truth (1 Timothy 2: 3-4). Therefore, may all who earnestly seek God be granted all understanding.