There are two issues regarding Christian baptism on which much discussion focuses: the method (the how) of baptism and its recipients (the who).
- New Testament baptism was accomplished by a sprinkling.
First, we address the how. A proper understanding of the Bible argues that baptism should be administered by sprinkling or pouring. The argument, briefly stated, is that John the Baptist baptized by sprinkling, Jesus baptized just like John did, and the early church baptized just like Jesus did.
This point is established by many texts, but here we will only look at a few of them. It is certain that John the Baptist preached a “baptism of repentance.” This, however, does not establish by itself, the how of baptism.
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4).