What is the difference between a baptismal font and a baptismal pool?

Answer 1

Some may say that they are synonymous. A pool is a body of fluid, either large or small, and a font can be a large or small basin, containing fluid. Some may get technical, and view the two as being different, as the one term refers to the container, and the other refers to the fluid in the container. Most people, when using the term "pool," are simply refering to both fluid and container in one description. Sometimes the term "font" can be used as a synonym for "fount" or "fountain," indicating a supply of running water, perhaps used for sprinkling (as opposed to baptism by immersion). Here is some interesting info on the word baptism: The word baptizing is derived from the Greek verb βαπτιζω, meaning to dip in. (John 13:26) In The Bible, to baptize is the same as to immerse. Concerning the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch performed by Philip, The Emphasised Bible, by Rotherham, states: They went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch,and he immersed him. (Acts 8:38) Thus, the person being baptized is actually dipped under water. (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10). Total immersion in water is the way Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, he came up out of the water. (Mark 1:10) The scriptures say that Jesus was a model for us to follow closely.(1 Peter 2:21) The first century Christians, in imitation of Jesus all were baptised by total immersion in water, not sprinking of water over the forehead. Scriptural association of baptism with symbolic burial also indicates complete submersion in water.(Romans 6:4-6; Colossians 2:12). Some today, consider baptism to include the practice of sprinkling water on the forehead, but that is not the Bible's standard for baptism, nor the way it was done by Jesus and first century Christians. Just some food for thought.