The word "sprinkle" is found only seven times in the English New Testament. It is never translated from the word "baptizo", nor used once in relation to the subject of baptism. "To sprinkle" is translated six times from the Greek word "Rhantizo", and once from "Proschusis". The distinction in the New Testament between sprinkling (rhantizo), and immersion (baptizo), is crystal clear.

Baptism demonstrates true repentance. Such repentance is a turning to believe, follow, and obey the Lord Jesus Christ, and is the only kind of repentance that will save us. A repentance which refuses the command to be baptised in water is unknown in the Bible. To mentally assent to the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ, but refuse to obey His words is mock repentance which will not save anyone. True repentance must lead a person to the waters of baptism. Thus we see the saving importance of a believer's baptism. The Bible says of this, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 3:21

During Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost the command was given "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38

In baptism we identify ourselves with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Jesus died, bearing our sins and paying the penalty for them in Himself. He was buried, taking our old life into the tomb with Him. He was raised from the dead, that He might give to us by the power of God, His new life, a supernatural resurrection life of peace and joy and victory over all that previously bound us.

This uniting of ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, with His dying and rising again, by our dying and rising again with Him in water baptism we see clearly in Romans 6:3-5 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptised into His death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection." (see also Colossians 2:12.

COMMENTS BY GREAT PROTESTANT LEADERS AND REFORMERS
LUTHERAN. Martin Luther, in his works, Volume 1, page 336 wrote, "Baptism is a sign of both death and resurrection. Being moved by this reason, I would advise those to be baptised to be altogether dipped into the water, as the word doth express and the mystery doth signify."

CHURCH OF ENGLAND. Dr. Lightfoot, Bishop of Durham, in his notes on Colossians 2:12 said, "Baptism is the grave of the old man, and the birth of the new. As he sinks beneath the baptismal waters, the believer buries there all his corrupt affections and past sins: as he emerges thence, he arises regenerate, quickened to new hopes and a new life. Thus baptism is an image of his participation both in the death and in the resurrection of Christ."

PRESBYTERIAN. The following statement is cited from John Calvin. (Inst. Book. 4.C.15 A.D. 1555.) "The word 'baptise' signifies 'to immerse', and it is certain that the rite of immersion was observed by the ancient church."

METHODIST. John Wesley, leader of the great Wesleyan Revival of the 18th Century, in his "Explanatory notes upon the New Testament" said, "We are buried with Him - alluding to the ancient manner of baptizing by immersion." (Comment on Romans 6:4

George Whitfield, famous preacher and associate of John Wesley, made the following comment, "It is certain that in the words of our text, Romans 6:4 there is an allusion to the manner of baptizing which was immersion."

EXAMPLES OF BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE
The baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ in the river Jordan provides the Bible's greatest example of water baptism. Jesus was baptised to set the pattern for all His followers. As Jesus was about to be baptised He said, "Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:15

Of His baptism the Bible says, "And Jesus, when He was baptised, went up straightway out of the water": (Matthew 3:16 It is clear that Jesus had gone down into the waters of Jordan to be immersed by John in baptism. CORINTH. The baptism of believers at Corinth is recorded in Acts 18:8 "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptised". Note that only believers were baptised. Hearing, they believed and were baptised.

JERUSALEM. "Then they that gladly received this word were baptised: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41

SAMARIA. "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women" (Acts 8:12

DAMASCUS. (Paul's baptism.) "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16

CAESAREA. "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptised, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptised." (Acts 10:47-48

EPHESUS. "When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of The Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:5

GAZA ROAD. "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptised? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest, and he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptised him." (Acts 8:36 Note that immersion was clearly the mode of baptism, Philip and the eunuch both going down into the water. In all the instances those baptised heard, and believed the Gospel before being baptised. Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved" (Mark 16:16