The Church recognizes either of the three forms of Baptism as valid:

(1) Immersion - or dipping.

(2) Infusion - or pouring.

(3) Aspersion - or sprinkling.

The Church uses pouring for practical reasons since it would be impossible to dip a baby, a person in prison or a person in a hospital.

Although it is true that until the 13th Century, the Church usually baptized by dipping, we do find authority for POURING in one of the oldest books of Christianity, the Didache, or the "Doctrine of the Twelve Apostles," which dates back to the year 98. In this book we read:

"Baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost in running water, but if thou hast no running water, baptize in other water, and if thou canst not in cold, then in warm. But if thou hast neither, pour water three times on the head in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.