Did Jesus baptize others? Dunk or sprinkle? Words used?

by tula 11 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • BurnTheShips
    BurnTheShips

    Scripture does not contain explicit instructions on how to baptize other than the trinitarian formula re Matthew 28:19. As far as Jesus personally performing baptisms John 4:1-2 says: "The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples."

    The oldest record we have with any specific intruction is the Didache, dated to the first century, and within living memory of the Apostles: "Concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water [that is, in running water, as in a river]. But if you have no living water, baptize into other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit."

    According to this early witness baptism by immersion or infusion is acceptable. Living water or not. Cold water, or warm.

    We also have record in Acts that 3000 people were baptized in Jerusalem in one day (re Acts 2:41). The only things available were likely mikvahs and the logistics of baptizing that many people with immersion under those circumstances are pretty obvious.

    Sincerely,

    Burn

  • Narkissos
    Narkissos

    About the question whether the "validity" of "sacraments" depends on the status of the performer or not, you might be interested in an old debate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatist

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