Is Baptism By Immersion Better Than Baptism By Sprinkling?

There are various methods of administering baptism, the earliest must have been by immersion, which is synonymous with the Greek word ‘Baptismos’, ‘to bury or to dip’. Much later, about 3rd century, pouring or affussion and sprinkling were added because of the infants. By affussion, water is poured over the head of the candidate.

Bible scholars have pointed out that affussion was done at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10) and the the jailer’s house at Philippi (Acts 16:33), and sprinkling was done on the Pentecost day for those who believed (Acts 2); for it would be impossible for the 11 Apostles to baptise over 3000 men (women and children not inclusive) in a single day.

God Himself also promised in Ezekiel 36:25 saying “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.” This clearly shows the authenticity of baptism by spirinkling. God approves of it as a mode of cleansing from every form of dirts, spiritual pollution contamination.

In reality, all modes are authentic and spiritually rewarding, so long it has;

(1) word, that is, the name of the God the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit

(2) element, that is, water.

Baptism itself is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. There must have been a dramatic turning away from all that stands in the way of Christ. The candidate must first believe in his/her heart unto righteousness and confess unto salvation with the mouth (Rom.10:9-10). In the case of the infants, their godparents help in the renunciation and equally help the young people as they grow up to live worthy Christian life.

Whether one is baptised by immersion at River Jordan or River Ogun, or affused or sprinkled at All Souls’ Church, Bodija, Ibadan, these are only signs; the inward grace comes from God when we give our lives to Christ. This is when we become regenerated by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, thus, God purifies and adopts us and makes us that which is expedient in His sight as we mature in the faith.