Baptism — Sprinkling vs. Immersion
Baptism — Sprinkling vs. Immersion
In John 3:3, Jesus tells the Rabbi Nicodemus that in order to enter ("see") the Kingdom of God, one must be "born again" (regenerated) or "born from above" (the Greek, in which John's Gospel is written, may mean either). Being born again is the condition on which men may be saved. Naturally, Nicodemus asks "How can a man be born again?" Jesus answers, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God."The Church has always believed that Jesus' answer in verse 5 is a reference to water baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, as He commanded (Matthew 28:19). Through the baptism of Jesus the sinner is forgiven his sins and receives the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-29) — according to the promise and action of God.
Ezekiel prophesied that this baptism would come: "I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new Spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and be careful to observe My ordinances," (Ezekiel 36:25-27).
An analogy that occurred to me while reading this was a shower (sprinkling) versus a bath (immersion). Just as both a shower and a bath get you clean, so will either immersion and sprinkling baptize you. (Interestingly enough, even though the Church allows immersion, this article references canon law to state the immersion is actually preferred.)