The Meaning of Baptism Is Lost In Sprinkling

[TCGreek]

If Baptism portrays our rising with Christ, then this portrayal is lost in sprinkling as a proper mode of Baptism (Rom 6:4; Col.2:12).

 

[Chemnitz]

If Baptism portrays our rising with Christ, then this portrayal is lost in sprinkling as a proper mode of Baptism (Rom 6:4; Col.2:12).

That is, of course, if one assumes that Baptism is purely symbolic. However, the scriptures you quote leave no doubt that Baptism is more than a symbol, rather something substantive is occuring, namely being buried and resurrected with Christ.

P.S. Nobody actually sprinkles, it is a misnomer created by those who engaging in polemical rhetoric.

 

[TCGreek]

That is, of course, if one assumes that Baptism is purely symbolic. However, the scriptures you quote leave no doubt that Baptism is more than a symbol, rather something substantive is occuring, namely being buried and resurrected with Christ.

P.S. Nobody actually sprinkles, it is a misnomer created by those who engaging in polemical rhetoric.

What then is that mode of action properly called which is referred to as "sprinkling"? Maybe you can clear up the misnomer.

 

[Zenas]

P.S. Nobody actually sprinkles, it is a misnomer created by those who engaging in polemical rhetoric.

Although Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and Lutherans baptize by pouring water on the head, I'm pretty sure Methodists actually sprinkle.

 

[Zenas]

If Baptism portrays our rising with Christ, then this portrayal is lost in sprinkling as a proper mode of Baptism (Rom 6:4; Col.2:12).

Two questions, TC. Does "sprinkling" invalidate the baptism, and what are the consequences of an invalid baptism?

 

[TCGreek]

Two questions, TC. Does "sprinkling" invalidate the baptism, and what are the consequences of an invalid baptism?

There's a rising with Christ that is lost in "sprinkling." The "rising" has been invalidated.

 

[Zenas]

There's a rising with Christ that is lost in "sprinkling." The "rising" has been invalidated.

What does this mean for the subject of the baptism, in this life and in the life beyond the grave? I assume he or she would not be eligible to join your church, but what else?

 

[Dustin]

If Baptism portrays our rising with Christ, then this portrayal is lost in sprinkling as a proper mode of Baptism (Rom 6:4; Col.2:12).

Me thinks you'll not get very many arguments contrary to that on the BAPTISTboard.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Dustin

 

[TCGreek]

What does this mean for the subject of the baptism, in this life and in the life beyond the grave? I assume he or she would not be eligible to join your church, but what else?

I'm only arguing one point here and that is the meaning of Baptism as a ritual ordained by the Lord to portray our union with Him, in death, burial and resurrection (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12).

 

[Chemnitz]

Methodists sprinkle? That's one I hadn't heard.

As mentioned by another poster, most churches outside of the baptist and pentacostal traditions practice pouring, with the exception of Orthodox, who dunk.


But what invalidates sprinkling or pouring as baptism? How can a human action undo what is an act of God, for that is what resurrection in Christ is, an act of God.

 

[TCGreek]

Methodists sprinkle? That's one I hadn't heard.

As mentioned by another poster, most churches outside of the baptist and pentacostal traditions practice pouring, with the exception of Orthodox, who dunk.


But what invalidates sprinkling or pouring as baptism? How can a human action undo what is an act of God, for that is what resurrection in Christ is, an act of God.

Let's then go with "pouring." How does pouring portray our rising with Christ? (Col.2:12)

 

[webdog]

Let's then go with "pouring." How does pouring portray our rising with Christ? (Col.2:12)

If you go waist or chest deep in water, and have water poured over you, you would be emerging from the baptismal, lake, river, etc.

 

[TCGreek]

If you go waist or chest deep in water, and have water poured over you, you would be emerging from the baptismal, lake, river, etc.

Are you emerging from a burial? BTW, are they courting you, WD? :laugh:

 

[webdog]

Are you emerging from a burial? BTW, are they courting you, WD? :laugh:

I tend to recall that in those days "burial" happened in the side of a cave with a stone rolled in front and not underground. Take that!

 

[TCGreek]

I tend to recall that in those days "burial" happened in the side of a cave with a stone rolled in front and not underground. Take that!

You're right! But there's still an emerging from inside the cave after the stone has been removed as in the case of Lazarus (John 11:38ff). :thumbs:

 

[webdog]

So baptism should be standing ankle deep in water...behind a big curtain...and then the pastor whips it open...and the individual walks out!

Sprinkling and submersion are both wrong

 

[TCGreek]

But, we have examples of baptism taking place in large bodies of water, with the actions of going down and coming up out of the water.

 

[webdog]

See post #12...

 

[TCGreek]

If you go waist or chest deep in water, and have water poured over you, you would be emerging from the baptismal, lake, river, etc.

Then the whole body would not be immersed and what would be the meaning of pouring?

 

[TCGreek]

From the patristic writings, sprinkling and pouring were only done in case of emergency and so on, but they were not the norm.