Thread: Applying the water...

When you are baptizing someone (in any mode) do you apply the water 3 times (once for each name of the Trinity)? Or do you just apply the water once?

Is there a precident in Reformed practice? And what is the basis for it?

I apply the water once, and leave my hand on the person's head while I use all three names.

I've never seen it applied three times.

I hope there won't be another division among the Reformed and evangelicals over baptism!

1.Those who immerse (only those they believe are believers)

2.Those who baptise those who profess the faith and their children by sprinkling or pouring once.

3. Those who baptise those who profess the faith and their children by sprinkling or pouring thrice.

Of course there are no doubt baptists that immerse thrice.

But God is One and the Holy Spirit is One and we are regenerated once not thrice.

I've never heard of any controversy over it. I've seen it applied 3 times (both sprinking and immersion) and applied once. I don't think I've ever heard anyone quibble about it. But I just wondered if there is a proper procedure that I've not heard about before in the Reformed tradition.

If I'm not mistaken, i thought i read something in the didache about baptizing thrice.

Scripture is our authority. Once suits just well Biblically, don't you think? There's no Scriptural reason to believe that we should baptize thrice and am quite positive that no one can make a substantial case for it from exegesis (as far as I'm aware, correct me if I'm wrong).

Why do you ask? Does such a question really matter?

IMO i don't think it would be WRONG to do it 3 times, but why do it if once is all that's required?

Generally (or at least from my understanding) reformed folks are pretty laid back about this issue. Really the only time it becomes an issue is when you have Anabaptists who insist that you have to be baptized a certain way, or apply the water a certain number of times, in order for it to be valid. So most of the discussion you will come across will be addressing that issue.

Correct me if I'm wrong here! (By the way, my dad has always done what Pastor Greco does.)

I sprinkle once very slowly while I say "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Why? One name -- "ad extra indivisa;" one baptism.