From the earliest times in the Church, baptism was
generally
administered
by immersion. The word baptizain means to
immerse. The question of the mode of using water was
addressed in the early Church.
Cyprian (Carthage, 200-258): Letters, No. 69:12
"You have asked ... whether they are to be
accounted legitimate
Christians, for that they are not to be washed, but
sprinkled,
with the saving water. ... I think that the divine
benefits can
in no respect be mutilated and weakened; nor
can anything less occur in that case where, with
full and entire faith both of the giver and
receiver,
is accepted what is drawn from the divine gifts ...
it ought not to trouble any one that sick people
seem to be sprinkled or effused, when they
obtain the Lord's grace. "
