Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person.
Much ink has been spilt over the controversy on the mode of Christian baptism. I do not propose to rehearse that controversy here. Suffice to say that the divines taught that many forms of baptism are valid, preferring the pouring or sprinkling mode that would allow administration of the sacrament in any facility and not just those equipped with a full-sized font.
A friend and Christian brother has laid out the argument for the superiority of the sprinkling mode thus:
1. Christ's blood is sprinkled on us in the imagery of Hebrews 9:13-14.
2. Sprinkling cleanses according to the Old Testament (Leviticus 14:1; see also Hebrews 10:22).
3. Blood sprinkled marks out God's people (Ezekiel 36:25ff.).
4. In the new covenant, no more sprinkling of blood is necessary, but the sprinkling or pouring of water symbolizes the finished work of Christ purifying us and marking us out as his people.
I think it's an interesting argument but for the moment I have a more latitudinarian position. I do believe, however, the Westminster divines would be sympathetic to it.
Tomorrow: The proper recipients of baptism.
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