Q78. How is Baptism rightly administered?
Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, meaning the complete submersion of the person's entire body in water, performed in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in accordance with Christ's own institution and the practice of the apostles. It is not rightly administered by sprinkling or pouring water, or by submerging only part of the body, since these are human traditions rather than biblical practice.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Matthew 3:16
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:”
John 3:23
“And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.”
Matthew 28:19–20
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
John 4:1–2
“When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)”
Acts 8:38–39
“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”