There are examples in the history of the Church of
baptism
being administered by sprinkling. It was probably
the mode
of baptizing that the Apostles used on Pentecost in
order
to baptize three thousand men.
From the Apostolic period to the 4th
century:
baptism was administered through total immersion
except in
cases of necessity.
From the 4th century to the 8th
century:
baptism by partial immersion in a
"baptistery" began, used
with a pouring of water.
From the 6th century to the 11th
century:
baptism of children was effected by totally
immersing them in
a basin or sink; for adults, custom and use varied.
From the 11th to the 13th century:
baptism of children horizontally was the custom in
the
manner of bath-taking.