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One of the key points on baptism that has not been mentioned yet in regards to the need for baptism is John 3:3. "Jesus answered, and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." When Jesus was asked "how can a man be born again?" Jesus answered in John 3:5, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
As for the question of sprinkling or immersion, I was taught that with the split in the Catholic Church by Martin Luther, sprinking during baptism probably started. It was at about this time that Menno Simons started the Mennonite religion in Switzerland. Menno had been a Catholic Priest, as had Martin Luther. However, Menno Simons interptation of the scriptures led him to continue with total immersion. That is the reason that the followers of Menno Simons were called Anabaptists.
So today, we still have Mennonites ---- >Baptists (all of which believe in total immersion). But, depending on how strict the interpetation of the scriptures, depends on the group (ie. Mennonite, Amish, Hutterite, and the various Baptist groups). The interesting part is that the Amish and the Hutterites are break offs of the Mennonites. And even within the Mennonites and Amish, their are numerous splits (ie. Old Order, New Order, Yellow Hats, Black Hats, White Hats, etc. and my group, the Ober-Holtzers).
Harder
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