How to Baptize Under a Tent

Latter Day Saints are baptized by full immersion in water.

Baptism is a holy sacrament of the Christian religion. It involves the immersion of the whole body into water or sprinkling or pouring water on the head of an individual seeking spiritual salvation through Christ Jesus. Different sects of Christianity place different emphases on baptism. Catholics, for example, believe that baptism in water is a requirement for eternal life in heaven after death. Some other sects do not place any importance on baptism. Christian groups occasionally meet under tents to encourage joining or returning to the Christian faith. Baptisms can be performed under tents using a pool or cups of water.

Things You'll Need

• Towels

Instructions

1. Identify the limitations of the tent space that you have available. Some tents may be placed over a pond or swimming pool. If space is limited, obtain an inflatable family swimming pool that can be brought under the tent for full immersion baptisms. Alternatively, secure a cup for pouring water over the head of individuals seeking baptism. If using a cup to baptize, ensure you have a tub of some sort large enough to hold water necessary for the number of baptisms that will be performed under the tent.

2. Fill the pool or tub with water. Pray a blessing over the water to render it holy for baptismal purposes. The Bible does not provide a strict prayer for blessing water for baptismal purposes. Your Christian sect may have a prayer especially designed to bless the water.

3. For full body immersions, lower the individual's body into the water. Say, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Then raise the individual quickly. Do not allow the individual to remain under water longer than one or two seconds. Some sects of Christianity dip the individual three times in reference to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

4. For a cup baptism, dip the cup into water. Ask individuals to tilt their head backwards. Gently pour the water over the top of the individual's head. As you pour, say "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Again, some sects of Christianity pour water over the individual three times in reference to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

5. Hand a towel to the individual once the baptism is finished so they may dry off.

References

• Reverend Ken Collins: How To Baptize Someone In An Emergency
• Catechism Of The Catholic Church: The Seven Sacraments Of The Church