What is the correct method of baptism: sprinkling, pouring, immersion
or some other technique? As most Bible dictionaries show, the word translated
into English as "baptize" is the Greek word baptizo, meaning "to
dip into" or "immerse." The Greek language uses different
words to express sprinkling or pouring, none of which ever refers to
baptism.
All biblical examples reveal that baptism was always performed in a
body of water large enough and deep enough for immersion. John 3:23,
for example, tells us that John the Baptist "was baptizing in Aenon
near Salim, because there was much water there." Matthew records
that when Jesus was baptized He "came up immediately from the water" (Matthew 3:16).
All other examples of baptisms by Christ's disciples mentioned in the
Scriptures follow this pattern. We read in Acts 8:38 that "both
Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he [Philip] baptized
him." There is no biblical example of any other form of water baptism.
We find an important reason that immersion is the only proper form
of baptism. In Romans 6 Paul describes baptism as a symbolic burial
(verses 1-6). No other form of baptism except full immersion in water
can depict a true burial. Baptism represents the burial of the old self.
