tom@tredysvr.tredydev.unisys.com (Tom Albrecht) (11/14/90)
Joe Buehler wrote: >Just a clarification; the problem with aspersion is not whether you get >wet or not, it's whether the water flows or not. The water has to flow >for a valid Baptism. It makes sense, Catholic-wise, because a Sacrament >has to signify what it effects (in this case, the cleansing of a soul). I don't understand how, looking at the action from a biblical viewpoint, you can make such a fine distinction about pouring vs. sprinkling. If baptism symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit in cleansing the soul through spiritual rebirth, then sprinkling seems to be as appropriate as pouring from a technical sense. We read in the OT: I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your filthiness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, for I will take away your heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:25,26) The action of the Spirit is spoken of in terms of pouring and sprinkling. They seem to be used almost interchangeably in the Scriptures, but sprinkling certainly approximates the work of the Spirit as well as pouring. -- Tom Albrecht
jhpb@granjon.garage.att.com (11/17/90)
Tom Albrecht wrote:
Joe Buehler wrote:
>Just a clarification; the problem with aspersion is not whether you get
>wet or not, it's whether the water flows or not. The water has to flow
>for a valid Baptism. It makes sense, Catholic-wise, because a Sacrament
>has to signify what it effects (in this case, the cleansing of a soul).
I don't understand how, looking at the action from a biblical viewpoint,
you can make such a fine distinction about pouring vs. sprinkling.
Sorry, I misled.
The three ways of baptizing: infusion (pouring), immersion, and
aspersion (sprinkling) can all be valid.
I think Charley made a comment about aspersion. I should have suggested
a reason why some such baptisms might be considered invalid from the
standpoint of Catholic theology and left it at that.
If you want a full treatise, read the article on Baptism in the (old)
Catholic Encyclopedia.
Joe Buehler