Affusion (another name for pouring or sprinkling), although previously' practiced, did not become general until the 13th century in the Western Church, which permits it, although the ancient practice of immersion, or dipping, has never been formally abolished in favor of pouring water on the person to be baptized. Affusion was probably an indulgence to clinics, or persons baptized at the point of death, and then extended to infants in delicate health. The Eastern Church retains dippling, and insists on rebaptism by immersion in all cases where it has not been observed. SEE SPRINKLING.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More