Triple Immersion Baptism As a Unifying Sacrament in Early South African Pentecostalism: A Historical-Contextual Study

Abstract

Triple immersion as an approach to baptism is dipping the baptised person three times in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This approach is distinguished from single immersion, which involves dipping the baptised person only once in water while simultaneously calling the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. A historical contextualisation of baptism by triple immersion shows that the approach has been a dividing factor in early Pentecostalism, particularly between the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of South Africa and the United Apostolic Faith Church (UAFC). The goal of this article is to demonstrate that baptism by triple immersion should not only be seen in terms of divisions in early Pentecostalism but can also be seen in terms of unifying elements. This is achieved through analysing literature within qualitative research and contextualising the history of triple immersion. The study found that, beyond the dividing elements in the theology and practice of triple immersion, the calling of the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit also serves as a unifying factor. Therefore, this study makes an important contribution by highlighting both the dividing and unifying aspects of triple immersion. These unifying aspects are important for the unity of Pentecostalism and the broader ecumenical movement.