Baptism

Concerning baptism, baptize in this way: having reviewed all of these things, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water. But if you do not have access to running water, baptize in other water. And if you are not able to baptize with cold water, then baptize with warm water. But if you possess neither, pour water on the head three times, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And before the baptism the baptizer should fast beforehand, and the one being baptized and any others who are able. Call upon the one being baptized to fast beforehand for one or two days.

The truest and most proper cause why sacraments are instituted under visible signs seems partly to be God’s goodness, and partly also man’s weakness. For very hardly do we reach unto the knowledge of heavenly things if, without visible form (as they are in their own nature pure and excellent), they are laid before our eyes. But they are better and more easily understood if they are represented unto us under the figure of earthly things, that is to say, under signs familiarly known unto us.

When we are going to enter the water, but a little before, in the presence of the congregation and under the hand of the president, we solemnly profess that we disown the devil, and his pomp, and his angels. Following this we are immersed three times, making a somewhat ampler pledge than the Lord has appointed in the Gospel. Then when we are taken up (as newborn children), we taste first of all a mixture of milk and honey, and from that day we refrain from the daily bath for a whole week.