Question:  Dear Greg,

            I understand that it is a command that we must be baptized.  In my research of the Bible, I have not found any Scriptures requiring baptism by immersion.  I am comfortable with my sprinkling baptism.  However, I am often under fire from those who consider immersion the ONLY baptism.  I repeatedly ask them to show me in scripture their belief, and so far no one has.  Can you help?  I certainly do not want to lead anyone astray.

            Sharon

Answer:  Dear Sharon,

            Those who believe in immersion will often point to passages where an individual (even Jesus at his baptism by John the Baptist) seem to be coming “up out of” the water.  They also try to point to meanings of Greek words to prove their view of total immersion.

            At the end of the day, the argument about the mode of baptism is pointless, for the Bible does not give either side – the sprinkling, or total immersion – knock-down evidence that there is only one biblically accepted mode of baptism.  Perhaps the mode is not as important as some Christians think?

            Baptism is commanded for those God has called and given new life in Christ.  The act of baptism, the mode of baptism, the age at which one is baptized, and the specific denomination under whose auspices the baptism is performed are often issues that cause disagreement and division among Christians.  At the bottom of the issue is the desire for humans to be “better”, more accurate, more true to the Bible, than others.

            But God does not demand any of this.  He tells us to be baptized as a public acknowledgment of our allegiance to our Lord and Savior in response to the salvation God has granted us by the riches of his grace.  How we are baptized, the mode that is used, the denominational affiliation of the pastor/priest who officiates, our age at the time of our baptism – are all peripheral to our baptism and the commitment we make.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht