Consider the early Christian writing called the "Didache" ( written 60 - 100A.D.) Look at Section 7:?

Question

Didache 7:1
But concerning baptism, thus shall ye baptize. Having first recited all these things, baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in living (running) water.

Didache 7:2
But if thou hast not living water, then baptize in other water; and if thou art not able in cold, then in warm.

Didache 7:3
But if thou hast neither, then pour water on the head thrice in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.


From this writing, we know that the Christians in the time frame of 60 - 100 A.D. taught that baptism could be done by pouring water on the head. These Christians probably learned directly from the Apostles or from the students of the Apostles.

So why do so many Chrisitans (Christians who are living almost 2000 years after Christ) insist that immersion is the ONLY way to baptize????

Sources:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/didache.html
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04779a.htm

To "Zenrin Y":

Both the water AND the Holy Spirit are necessary... Why? Because Jesus said so.

John 3:5
Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water AND Spirit.

To "opinionated":

Have you ever read a Christian book other than the KJV (e.g. "The pupose driven life") ?

Well, that is Christian writing of today. The "Didache" is Christian writing of THOSE days.

Answer 1

(-->Catholic<--)

The Didache is a wonderful piece of writing and it is perhaps our very first Catechism. I wish that more people would sit down to read it, especially people who wish to practice Christianity like the early Christians. The Didache is fascinating because it essentially is a Jewish document that has been added on to by early Jewish Christians. It is the growth of the roots of Abraham flowering into the tree of the Church.

To answer your question, it is because people
1. Are not actually reading the Bible and or confusing what is actually being said. There are several types of baptisms that take place in the NT. People tend to confuse the baptism of St. John the Baptist with Christian baptism.
2. Haven't actually studied a drop of history and are relying on the words of somebody else.
3. Are overly stuck on their own traditions and think they are Gospel when they are just traditions.

Answer 2

Despite the fact that Christ freed us from the curse of the law, some people insist on various "riles and regulations". A legalistic attitude/observance of the Christian faith is refuted by the book of Galatians...yet people continue to invent "religious requirements" for others to follow. The efficacy of baptism is the word of God connected with the outward symbolism of the washing with water. The method (of how the water is applied) isn't dictated in the NT. Those who insist otherwise are being legalistic.

Answer 3

Jesus not in any respect commanded that some thing be written down. He did command us to love God and Love our neighbor. The Bible on my own doctrine is a synthetic doctrine, not got here upon in the Bible. bypass figure. The Bible does coach: a million Cor 11:2 carry quickly to traditions I exceeded on to you. 2 Thes 2:15 carry quickly to traditions, even if oral or by using letter 2 Thes 3:6 shun those not appearing in accordance to custom Jn 21:25 not each and every thing Jesus reported recorded in Scripture 2 Peter a million:20 no prophesy is an argument of inner most interpretation Rom 10:17 faith comes from what's heard. Mt 16:19 Peter given you keys of the dominion; means to loose or to bind Jn 21:17 Peter given Christ's flock as chief shepherd Acts 15:19 Peter declares first dogmatic selection Gal a million:18 after conversion St Paul visits chief Apostle Acts a million:13-26 Peter heads the election of Mathias as Apostle finally Eph 2:20 Church IS outfitted on the start of the Apostles.

Answer 4

1)Because we are trying to be like Jesus and when he was baptized he was submerged, read the bible it says when he came up from the water.

2) when the disciples baptized people they did it the way Jesus taught them, by submersion Acts 8:36-39

3)the definition of baptizo(baptism in the Greek it was written in) is
1. to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
2. to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe
3. to overwhelm
immersion in water is the definition of baptism


4) it is a symbol of what happened to Christ, we go down in the water(dying to sin) rise out of the water (rising to new life) Romans 6:4, Col 2:12

5) we base doctrine on what the Bible says over tradition
"For the laying aside the commandment of God ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things you do" - Jesus in Mark 7:8
And the Bible says immersion

Answer 5

While baptism is a matter of obedience, there is nothing that says it has to be done by immersion, there is no command for it in the bible. It says to be baptised, but does not specify that it has to be a specific type to be so.

Answer 6

Not every Christian baptizes by emmersion, thusly the various different ideas of how to baptise in various differing sects.

Answer 7

I only believe what is in the holy bible, KJV, Ive never heard of the Didache.

Answer 8

exactly. what matter is the holy spirit anyway, never the water.