Affusion
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Affusion is a method of Christian baptism where water is poured on the head of the person being baptized. The word "affusion" is rooted in the Latin word affusio meaning "to pour on" [link]. Affusion is typically contrasted with baptism by total immersion and baptism by sprinkling (aspersion). Christians who baptize by affusion do not deny the legitimacy of baptizing by immersion or aspersion. Rather, they hold the more modest view that affusion is a legitimate, if not preferable, method of baptism.
Affusion and aspersion tend to be practiced by Christian denominations that also practice infant baptism. This may be due to the practical difficulties of totally immersing an infant underwater. However, Eastern Orthodox and some Roman Catholics practice infant immersion.
Origins of Affusion
Christians who baptise by affusion see the origins of this practise both in the Bible and early Christian history.Biblical Origins
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is sometimes described, in the New Testament book of Acts, as a “pouring out” of the Holy Spirit ([Acts 2:17,18,33; Acts 10:45]). This may indicate that Luke’s concept of baptism included, or allowed for, baptism by pouring. For instance, on Pentecost, the disciples were baptized with the Holy Spirit by having the Spirit “poured out” on them from heaven not by being dipped in the Holy Spirit until they were completely immersed.Passages like these do not directly speak to the issue of water baptism because they are, strictly speaking, about baptism with Holy Spirit. They are thought to apply, however, to water baptism indirectly by telling us something about the general concept of baptism, regardless of whether the medium of baptism is water or Spirit.
Affusionists see more evidence that Luke’s concept of baptism includes pouring by noting a possible connection between water baptism and Holy Spirit baptism. In Acts 10, Peter is “astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles” ([Acts 10:45)]). Peter responds by saying, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have" ([Acts 10:47)]).
Affusionists read Peter to be saying "by having the Spirit poured out on them, these people already have been baptized with the Spirit, so why not actually baptize them with water." They understand Peter’s words to imply that water baptism is a symbolic picture of the Holy Spirit baptism. If this is right, affusionists contend, then water baptism should be, or at least can be, by pouring because the baptism with the Holy Spirit that it is a picture of is by pouring.
Historical Origins
The earliest extra-biblical reference to baptism affusion occurs in the Didache (c. 100 A.D.) The seventh chapter contains instructions on how to baptize. Baptism should be performed with living water (i.e. running water):
…But if you have no living water, baptize into other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit (emphasis added) [link]
This text implies that early Christians saw affusion is a viable alternative to immersion but only when no living water (i.e. running water) or cold water is available.
Affusion was the less preferred form for many centuries thereafter, but records indicate it was performed, along with aspersion, when immersion was impossible. Acts of various martyrs show that many were baptized in prison, while awaiting martyrdom; this would have made immersion infeasible. The commonest use, however, was for ill or dying people who could not rise from their beds. It was consequently known as "baptism of the sick." Receiving this baptism was regarded as a bar to Holy Orders, but this sprung from the person's having put off baptism until the last moment -- a practice that in the fourth centuries became common, with people enrolling as catechumens but not being baptized for years or decades. While the practice was decried at the time, the extortions are not to baptize by immersion, but refrain from delaying baptism.
Baptism by affusion slowly increased after the twelfth century.
See also
- Baptism
- Aspersion
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit
- Baptism of Jesus
- John the Baptist
- Believers Baptism
- Infant baptism
- Baptism by desire
- Conditional baptism
- Christianity
External links
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