What is the biblical basis for baptism by sprinkling?

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Catholics don't baptize by sprinkling water, we pour it over the baptized's head, if there's just a font.

If you read Acts 8:24, you probably think baptism by immersion if that how baptism happens in your tradition, but if baptism is usually performed by pouring, then this is what your minds eye produces:

Philip baptizing a eunuch

Philip baptizing a eunuch by Abel de Pujol

Canonically, either is permissible in the Catholic Church.

Sprinkling is biblical, but it's usually connected with blood. But, since we're "baptized into His death", then I think the water of baptism may represent Jesus blood in some way, especially since that was what poured forth from His side when He was pierced on the cross.

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Sprinkling or pouring is a standard Old Testament practice associated with cleansing and anointing. Immersion would have been foreign to the Jews, who were familiar with Old Testament practices.

Upvote:6

There seems to be a basis for sprinkling.

Ezekiel 36:25-27. " I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will become clean; I will cleanse you from all your uncleanness and from all your disgusting idols. 26Β I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit inside you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh. 27Β I will put my spirit inside you, and I will cause you to walk in my regulations, and you will observe and carry out my judicial decisions."

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