Question:  Dear Greg,

            I am very interested in the history of baptism.  Can you tell me how “in what mode and formula” were the first Christians baptized?  When did that mode change and who changed it?

            Thanks,

            Linda

Answer:  Dear Linda,

            The roots of baptism are traced to washings performed by Gentile proselytes to Judaism, before Christ.  John the Baptist, of course, is the one who preached a baptism of water.  The “formula” most follow, in some way or another, appears in Matthew 28:19.  The mode of baptism is a huge discussion, prompting the birth of entire denominations who insist upon adult baptism by immersion only (Baptists).  Those who favor immersion usually cite that Jesus came up out of the water (Mark 1:10 ), while those who favor infant baptism and/or sprinkling cite examples such as Cornelius and his entire household being baptized (Acts 10).  The mode of baptism is not considered by Christians to be salvific.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht