Baptism

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There are several different ways to be baptized or to baptize another person. Water is the most often used method. The variance is in the manner of its application. Water may be poured or sprinkled on the head, the person may be immersed once or as many as three times, backwards or forwards in a pool or natural body of water, or water may not be used at all; a person may also be baptized with anointing oil.

Another variable is age. The controversy of "infant baptism" vs. "believer's baptism" has been a constant one. Both are appropriate depending upon the requirements and relativity of the members of your congregation. In "believer's baptism" the adult convert makes a conscious decision to join a particular church. He may choose to be immersed or he may choose to be sprinkled, but he takes responsibility for his own spiritual growth. Your guidance in this baptism may be required or may be dependent upon the person's beliefs beyond his church affiliation. "Infant baptism" was established as a practice at the time of the Apostles when the infants of Christians were baptized to preserve their life in the parents' faith. In this case the parents speak for the child and they and the congregation may pledge to accept responsibility for the child's growth into their faith and beliefs until the child is of age to accept his own responsibility. In either situation the baptismal ceremony is an outward sign of the dedication of a life to a specific religious philosophy.

Types:

• Total Immersion
• Sprinkling
• The Laying on of Hands
• Any combination of the above