The Mode of Baptism

Steven F. Deaton

What the Bible says is right. It is the will of God given to men by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:7-13). It contains all truth; everything pertaining to life and godliness (Jn. 16:13; 2 Pet. 1:3). This includes the truth on the mode, or form, of baptism.

Some claim baptism is sprinkling and/or pouring. However, the Bible teaches baptism is an immersion. Paul said, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). He also said, “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Col. 2:11-12).

Burial is the mode of baptism. It reflects the burial of Christ. He was not sprinkled with a little dirt, nor did His body have a bucket of dirt poured on it. Rather, He was encased in rock. One who is baptized must be encased, immersed, in water (cf. Jn. 3:23; Acts 8:36-38). Thus, sprinkling and pouring are unscriptural modes of baptism.