This makes room for historical development in the faith and practice of the Church as such development does not go beyond given principles, doctrines and practices to which the New Testament bears witness. No development is acceptable if it appears to go beyond what is given in the New Testament. While a situational-principle may be accepted in the application of New Testament principles and practices Churches of Christ do not accept the view of development in baptismal practice with the change from a missionary situation to an established Christian context situation because, they see something in principle in the nature of the gospel and baptism which is beyond a situational principle, or, in other words, is independent of the situation. In this discussion it seems necessary to review some significant points in the historical view of Churches of Christ concerning the nature of baptism. The Nature of Baptism.
Baptism is a ritual act of immersion in water.
Descriptions of particular baptisms and the symbolism of baptism as given in the New Testament together with the word used suggest immersion, as the ritual act of baptism. To immerse someone who has been previously sprinkled is a repetition of a ritual act but the form is not a repetition. It is the first performance of a form which we believe is given by the New Testament and which significantly symbolises and bears witness to the true nature of baptism. Baptism is something in which God acts. God's act of grace in Christ precedes baptism.