When it comes to baptism there are many traditions. Some rooted in Scripture and some not. Baptism by sprinkling versus Baptism by immersion is one of these examples. This is why it is important to take the time to evaluate each practice to make sure it aligns with Scripture.

The word for baptism comes from the Greek word ‘Baptisma’ which is the “process of immersion, submersion and emergence”. Immersion is defined this way, “to make fully wet, to cover wholly with fluid, hence to dip”. This is why in every example in the New Testament you will see that the person being baptized was fully immersed in a body of water.

A couple that my husband and I had discipled for almost two years had a baby. As soon their little girl was born, the mother came to me one night asking if I thought they should baptize their new baby. I was surprised at this question. We have been through the foundations of God’s word for over a year and they were growing in grace and truth. It seemed that she was being pressured from friends and family to have this done so as to spare her child if something were to happen to it. As we talked things over she naturally came to a scriptural conclusion which put both her heart and mind at ease as well as gave her a response to use when questioned. What she concluded is that baptism is an act of faith stemming from salvation, not the means for salvation. So there was no reason for her baby to be baptized, that decision would need to be made by this child in the future when she understands the gift of grace offered by God.