Why don't Catholics practice baptism by immersion?

Question

Jesus was baptised by immersion when he was "buried" in the water. Why did the Catholic church make up their own version of baptism?

Father K- I find that often people have to look to translations, archaeological evidence and different interpretations of scripture for their doctrine. I can't help but think these people are twisting the words around to fit their beliefs. I can't help but wonder how much of the bible was altered or taken out by early Catholic leaders. Can you answer this for me? Isn't the true doctrine given directly in the scripture? If not, why is that?

Father K- Why not have the scriptures interpreted by inspired leaders? I don't doubt that you have a lot of knowledge of languages and archaelogy but those things aren't necessary for salvation. All that I need to know is that when I pray to God for an answer I recieve it. Knowledge of languages and archaelogy aren't necessary when we have personal revelation.

Answer 1

We can...and we sometimes do....

However....please see:

Num. 19:18 – here, the verbs for dipping (“baptisantes”) and sprinkled (“bapsei”) refers to affusion (pouring) and sprinkling (aspersion), not immersion.

Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16 -John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus will baptize ("baptisei") with the Holy Spirit and fire. In this case, "baptisei" refers to a "pouring" out over the head. This is confirmed by Matt. 3:16 where the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus' head like a dove and Acts 2:3-4 where the Holy Spirit descended upon Mary and the apostles' heads in the form of tongues of fire. In each case, in fulfilling John the Baptist's prophecy, the Lord baptized ("baptizo") in the form of pouring out His Spirit upon the head, not immersing the person.

Matt. 20:22-23; Mark 10:38-39; Luke 12:50 - Jesus also talks about His baptism (from "baptizo") of blood, which was shed and sprinkled in His passion. But this baptism does not (and cannot) mean immersion.

Mark 7:3 - the Pharisees do not eat unless they wash ("baptizo" ) their hands. This demonstrates that "baptizo" does not always mean immersion. It can mean pouring water over something (in this case, over their hands).

Mark 7:4 - we see that the Jews washed ("bapto" from baptizo) cups, pitchers and vessels, but this does not mean that they actually immersed these items. Also, some manuscripts say the Jews also washed (bapto) couches, yet they did not immerse the couches, they only sprinkled them.

Luke 11:38 - Jesus had not washed ("ebaptisthe") His hands before dinner. Here, the derivative of "baptizo" just means washing up, not immersing.

Acts 2:41 - at Peter's first sermon, 3,000 were baptized. There is archeological proof that immersion would have been impossible in this area. Instead, these 3,000 people had to be sprinkled in water baptism.

[Edit] I would say why not spend seven years in seminary, learn to speak Greek, Latin and a little Hebrew, go on some archeological digs and study as much of the original manuscript evidence as I have....and see for yourself.

Answer 2

If you're not willing to take what I see as Fr. K's very reasonable response, why are you asking the question? For that matter, if you just want answers that from your own beliefs, I'm not sure why Father K is even responding to your question.

You asked, Why not have the scriptures interpreted by inspired leaders -- but if Father K does not fulfill your qualifications, I don't know that any Catholic would.

You also said, "I don't doubt that you have a lot of knowledge of languages and archaelogy but those things aren't necessary for salvation." But this wasn't about salvation, it was about baptism.

"All that I need to know is that when I pray to God for an answer I recieve it. Knowledge of languages and archaelogy aren't necessary when we have personal revelation."

So you had a personal revelation about the correctness of baptism by immersion? Or have you once again changed the subject?

Answer 3

Yes, Catholics can be baptized by immersion.

It's often impractical, however, and Catholics are not so legalistic to think that God would refuse to acknowledge a baptism simply based on quantity of water.

Say you are in the desert with an unbeliever. As you both begin to literally die from thirst, you witness to that person and he accepts Jesus as his Savior and wants to be baptized. You find an oasis with a tiny spring of water, just a trickle. Both of you drink, but you know it's not enough to save your lives. Would you deny the fellow baptism just because there is only a trickle of water? Catholics wouldn't!

Also, please note that the Bible never gives any prescriptions for baptism. There is no notes on how much water is necessary, nor even any verse that says only immersion counts.

IMHO, the Catholic view is more merciful.

Answer 4

There was a time when the persecutions from Rome were so strong that the Christians had to go underground with practicing their faith. Since everything had to be secret, they may have had to resort to pouring as a baptism because immersing people would have been too obvious and may have caused them to be thrown to the lions. I am not Catholic but want to speak in their defense.

Answer 5

We don't know how Jesus was baptised. There are two Greek words for baptism and the one in original manuscripts of the Gospels use the one that means, "to dip". I asked a Greek friend once for an explanation of this verb and he demonstrated by running water in the sink and dipping his hand in. I said, "You don't put your whole body in?" He looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Of course not!". Other historical documents with first hand testimony from early Christians state that seashells were used to scoop up the water and pour it on the new Christian's head. And Catholics are not the only denomination to use sprinkling or pouring. Many Protestant denominations use these methods as well. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual change. It's a symbol to others of the change in our lives after coming to know Christ.

Answer 6

I'm not sure why. I was raised methodist and it was done as a sprinkling. I'm sure this was taken from the Catholic faith because in one of the methodist creed is "I believe in the holy catholic church" (uncapitalized). My mother has always said once saved always saved and it wasn't until I started studying that I learned differently. Methodist also believe that babies need to be baptisted as babies. Catholics do this too. I was told to do this or if my daughter passed away as a baby her soul wouldn't go to heaven. Weird, I know! Knowledge is so powerful. We take the things our parents have learned from their parents and question it, research it and learn differently. I know this irritates my parents and family.

Answer 7

Good question. However, many Protestants don't believe baptism is nec. for salvation, including Baptists!

Very few also take the Lord's Supper on the 1st day of the week like the early Christians

Answer 8

I don't think Catholics believe in baptism by immersion. They also don't believe once saved always saved. That is why they have confession. Every religion is different. But if we all believe that Jesus was born from the virgin Mary, and that he died on the cross to save us from our sins. And if we believe that on the third day he rose again. We are all going to end up in the same place.

Answer 9

The European Catholic Church has long ago tossed God, Jesus, the Holy Ghost, and the Bible from their cult of Rome.

Yes, Jesus was baptised by his cousin, preacher John the Baptist, in the Jordan River, Israel.

European Catholicism has failed to take root in Israel even after 2,000 years. That's why it's based in Rome since Emperor Constantine invented it in Italy and asked Jews and pagans to convert to it or die.

Answer 10

the immersion symbolizes the washing away of sins and new life in Jesus. water is a source of life, w/o water nothing can grow, flourish, therefore you die to your old life while under water and are reborn in christ when you come out of the water.