In the Early Church, people were baptized in this fashion:

1. Once a year. They would prepare for an entire year to be baptized, studying and praying and following the teachings of Christ and His Church

2. Anointed with oil from head to toe (men and women were baptized separately due to being baptized naked)

3. Immersed in a pool of water, sprinkled in large groups (St. Peter at Pentecost is an example) or have it poured upon their heads.

4. Children were always included in this, as the promise was to them and their children. We can see pictures from at least the second century showing infant baptism.

As Christianity spread, immersion and full anointing became hard pressed. In areas such as Africa, where there is little water, immersion was almost impossible. Thus, allowing pouring or sprinkling became normal in areas like this.

As time went on, other reasons for non-immersion baptism came into play.

1. People with large wounds who were on the brink of death and wanted to be baptized could not be immersed, thus pouring.

2. People who had tracheotomies who cannot be immersed could be baptized. Withholding them from baptism just because they cannot be immersed in unjustified.

3. Geographical: Africa and Alaska do not allow for immersion in most cases.

All three are now accepted.

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