Baptism

water being sprinkled on or poured over the body, and never the body plunged
into water.” Rev. Prof. Dr. Francis Nigel Lee
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A study of the Baptismal Fonts
A study of the baptismal fonts found around Christian churches could give us
an understanding of the nature of baptism rendered to the believers of those
periods. A study of these indicates clearly that the Christian initiation is never
considered as an immersion process.
In the Apostolic Age, as in Jewish times (John, 3, 23), baptism was
administered without special fonts, at the seaside or in streams or pools of
water (Acts, 8: 38). It appears that baptism was performed preferably in
running waters. These were called the living waters. Because they are
continually renewed, they represented more aptly the renewing of the person
continually by the Holy Spirit. Tertullian (AD160–230?).refers to St. Peter's
baptizing in the Tiber (De bapt., 4); St. Paulinus (625–644 AD). in England
by Bede (Hist. Eccl., II, 14-16) refers to baptism in rivers. Indoor baptism,
however, was also practiced in the early church as seen in the Acts of
Apostles. (Acts, 9:18; 16: 33)
As the church took institutional form, Baptismal fonts became part of the
Christian Churches around the world.
An early Christian baptistery was found in a church in Jesus'hometown of
Nazareth, This baptistery, which dates from the early second century, was too
small and narrow to immerse a person in.
In the East it took the form of a pool or cistern, called kalymbethra
(swimming-bath). These were mostly knee deep, deep enough to provide
baptism by immersion but most suitable for John type baptism by pouring.
In the west similar fonts were found. They are known by the Latin name of
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