Why are there different methods of baptism in Christianity today?

If it's not immersion, then it is not Biblical baptism.

The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language. The Greek word we get the word "baptism" from, means to immerse.

Immersion is to dip down into the water. It is an overwhelming. The one being baptized is lowered into (until he is completely under) the water and then lifted up out of the water. It is not just sprinkling or pouring a little water on top of someone.

This can also be seen in Scripture.

John 3:23 says, "Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized." Only immersion requires "much water". Only immersion requires one to come to the water instead of the water being brought to them.

Baptism is described as going down into the water and coming up out of the water. (Matthew 3:16-17, Acts 8:38-39) Only immersion has the one being baptized going into the water.

Also, baptism is described as a burial. (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12) Only immersion buries the one being baptized.

It's funny that the only place that people have trouble understanding baptism is in religion. If someone were to say they were "baptized in debt", would you think they had just a sprinkling of debt (a few bills)? No, someone described in this way is figuratively "covered up" with debt.

I saw a sports article that said the freshmen on a football team had an "early baptism". Of course it meant they were plunged into full sudden participation in the program. They did not just see a “sprinkling” of activity, but they were fully involved.

If we can understand this everywhere else, why not in religion?

You raise a valid point. In religion, we should return to the New Testament as our source of authority. We should believe what they believed, teach what they were taught and obey what they were commanded. If we do this, we will become what they became - Christians, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. There were no denominational divisions when the church began in Acts 2. Jesus prayed that we would be unified in this way and Paul pleaded for it. (John 17:20-21, 1 Cor. 1:10)

In baptism and every other way we can, we should strive to be only the church as it was originally established.

To find a church that has this plea to restore New Testament Christianity, go to this site: www.churchzip.com

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Baptism Methods

A student of church history can tell you that pouring first took place in cases of "clinical baptism." This was an instance when someone was too sick to get out of bed and get immersed. Typically in a clinical baptism the person had a bucket of water poured over them three times. This was for two reasons. First it was to make this act as close to a burial as possible (see Romans 6), and second it symbolized being baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As time went by, this method was both shortened to use much less water, and administered to those who had no need for a clinical baptism. This eventually led to sprinkling. As false doctrines increased in the church, babies began to get baptized, as well.

There are many churches that still practice immersion for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Some, like Oneness Pentecostals, only baptize in the name of Jesus. There are countless examples of this in the book of Acts. Others, like the Church of Christ, the Disciples of Christ, and the Christian Churches, typically baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit like Jesus taught in Matthew 28:19. According to church history both methods were used by the early church, and both methods are certainly biblical.

As Christianity spread north, in Northern Europe, stripping down and immersing yourself in "living" (i.e., moving) was difficult - it was often frozen And, even then, it was dangerous. So, the idea of being washed instead of being immersed became more popular. It just makes sense for the climate.

For a very long time this was the pattern, however, it is recognized that immersion is a good thing, and modern churches often put a large immersion font in the church - often now in a central area. Baptism is being seen as much more important now, especially as more and more adults are becoming baptized. At one time, everybody was baptized as a child, but, that is no long so automatic.

There is a formula in the Bible - we baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Most denominations use this formula.

There is only one form of baptism which as a sacrament we inherited from St. Matthew. It was the Apostle St. Matthew which immersed in water and baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Ghost). The early Church Fathers during the 2nd century believed that there is only one baptism, so all the churches West & East agreed and had only one Sacrament of Baptism in the same matter and form.

It's not the immersion which is used during the baptism it's being baptized by water & Spirit. So it's was decided upon I want to say during the 7th century (I could be wrong) that matter (true water) and form (In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or Ghost) was considered as a Sacrament or initiation into His Church, so immersion was no longer necessary. There were two other forms of Baptism which were not considered as Sacraments such as being baptized by Desire and by Blood. You have to consider that many of the early Christians were martyred or under persecution before they could have been baptized, and you have to also consider that their are Non-Christians who like Christians desire to be with God. Christ did die for the world.

Protestantism didn't originate until the 16th century, afterward there has been many forms of baptism which is not recognized by His Church.

Originally the people in that time used the river.

There are many churches now (there weren't churches then) that just are not close to natural water bodies. Baptismal fonts vary from those where a person can be immersed to those where sprinkling is done. Churches have different ages they practice Baptism on as well.

The bottom line is the same, regardless of how it is done: the person is "washed" of their sins and starts over again.

Things don't have to be done in exactly the same way now as over 2,000 years ago. We dress differently, bathe differently, run schools differently, etc. Why does Baptism have to be done exactly the same way, as long as it is done?

We still use the original method. When someone is baptized, it is for the remission of sins, just like in the first century (Acts 2:38). As well, we will typically say that it is done in the name (authority) of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, as Jesus stated

Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

many have strayed from the Example (Jesus) in preference for man's way:-( out of "convienence" as IF there ever was good enough reason to contadict Him right?

Please Notice how the Bible describes the manner of Christ's baptism which is the perfect pattern for all of us: "And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan." Mark 1:9. Jesus told Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5. There is only one true baptism. It is both a baptism of water and of the Spirit. The water alone is not enough. There must also be a baptism of the Spirit. In other words, it isn't enough just to go through the outward action, but there must be an inner spiritual experience. That is the baptism of the Spirit. The baptism of water symbolizes cleansing from the guilt of sin. The baptism of the spirit symbolizes cleansing from the very power of sin.

"And straightway coming up out of the water, he (Jesus) saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him," Mark 1:10. Jesus, you see, was baptized of water and of the Spirit. As in obedience to the command of the Father He went down into the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. And that is what the Holy Spirit wants to do for every one of us as we open our hearts wide at the time of our baptism. So we see that water baptism is God's New Testament plan.

Another reason for a second baptism is if we have been baptized in some other way than the way that Jesus was baptized. He is our example. The Bible says that John baptized in that certain area, "because there was much water there." John 3:23. So evidently the baptism of Bible days required much water.

Jesus showed as example by being Baptized By MUCH (Immersion)water Baptizmo: to submerge/dip NOT by sprinkling, infant baptism is NOT supported by the Word of God, an infant has no idea of what the committment is or what it means and is NOT accountable.Mary & Joseph took young Jesus to the Temple for "dedication" Luke 2:22 there are pre reqiuistite to Baptism Acts 2:38 / Acts 19:4 / Matthew 28:18-20 where Jesus instructed His desciples to teach all nations, and then baptize them., in Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is BAPTIZED shall be saved, he that believeth not, shall be damned". It is our public declaration that we have surrendered our life to Christ-a public confession Matthew 10:32 "Whoseoever therefore shall confess me before men, him I will confess before my Father which is in Heaven." Baptism IS a requirement. Peace/Love God Bless You

Jesus says there will be two groups of people in the end times. One group He calls few, the other He calls many. “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name? … and done many wonders?’ ... And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ” (Matthew 7:22, 23).

According to Strong's Concordance, Baptism means "an act to set apart" . There are verses, particularly in Acts, that state water is used, but there is no verse that states how much, or whether the person was immersed.

Better check your facts.. even early Disciples Baptised by washing of the right foot...

by sprinkling.. poring water over head..

In fact Aostle Paul is clear about Baptism.

1 Cor 1:17

1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

1:15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Paul was telling the world.. baptism is done at the moment of salvation by the Holy Spirit.

Baptised living water of God (his word) and washed blood of the Lamb of Christ Jesus..

Man baptism is useless...

the work of the cross and nothing else

if one wants to reflect an outward show of personal salvation... any form of baptism is fine..

since man cannot add to nor take away from what Christ does. man just distorts for their own glory