Which tradition is the most sound? Since that question cannot be discussed on this forum because it is considered "debating", I decided to do something different and post some positions surrounding baptism from different first hand sources as a way of promoting understanding.
Of course there are other views, but the need for brevity and common sense prohibit me from posting them. I suggest that you do a web search on ("your denomination" baptism) for further official details
ONENESS (United Pentecostal International) http://www.spiritualabuse.org/aof.html
WATER BAPTISM
The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion and is only for those who have fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world. It should be administered by a duly authorized minister of the gospel, in obedience to the Word of God, and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the Acts of the Apostles 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5; thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19.
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said, "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."
Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, "Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues [languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance." The terms "baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire," "filled with the Holy Spirit," and the "gift of the Holy Ghost" are synonymous terms used interchangeably in the Bible.
ANABAPTIST
http://radixanabaptism.com/2013/06/05/core-beliefs-and-practices-of-the-16th-century-anabaptists/
Baptism of Believers
“aptism of those who had come to a mature faith and then chose to be baptized, was the most visible identifying mark of the movement. It was matched by an intense opposition to infant baptism….In spite of their insistence on adult baptism, the Anabaptists stilled maintained that “the water is just water.” It was the inner baptism of the Spirit that was primary and essential. The water baptism was simply an outer sign of true baptism, which was spiritual and inward. At another level…baptism in water was seen as a crucial seal or commitment to the rest of the Body of Christ and a response of obedience to scriptural command that was not to be ignored or set aside. Both baptisms fell to individual women and men alike, and called for their obedience to Scripture and the community, regardless of the consequences.”[8]
Discipline
“Anabaptists believe that baptism in the Spirit and in water bound believers to the Ban, or church discipline by the collective members of the Body of Christ. A true faith had to bear fruit in deed; deed had to correspond with creed. The personal commitment to fraternal admonition rested on the inward baptism (or regeneration and rebirth) of the Spirit: those truly regenerated by the Spirit were expected to live new lives, in Matthew 18:15-18. Fraternal admonition, like baptism, applied to women and men alike.”[9]
It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift, filling, or baptism of the Holy Spirit to receive the same physical, initial sign of speaking with other tongues. The speaking with other tongues, as recorded in Acts 2:4, 10:46, and 19:6, and the gift of tongues, as explained in I Corinthians, chapters 12 and 14, are the same in essence, but different in use and purpose.
The Lord, through the Prophet Joel, said, "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh" (Joel 2:28).
Peter, in explaining this phenomenal experience, said, "Having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he [Jesus] hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear" (Acts 2:33).
Further, "the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).
WESTMINSTER CONFESSION http://baptism.org.uk/westminster.htm
THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE.
Chapter XXVIII
Of Baptism
I. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,[1] not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church;[2] but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,[3] of his ingrafting into Christ,[4] of regeneration,[5] of remission of sins,[6] and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in the newness of life.[7] Which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world.[8]
II. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the Gospel, lawfully called thereunto.[9]
III. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but Baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person.[10]
IV. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ,[11] but also the infants of one, or both, believing parents, are to be baptized.[12]
V. Although it is a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance,[13] yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without it:[14] or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.[15]
VI. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered;[16] yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited, and conferred, by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongs unto, according to the counsel of God's own will, in His appointed time.[17]
VII. The sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered unto any person.[18]
Of course there are other views, but the need for brevity and common sense prohibit me from posting them. I suggest that you do a web search on ("your denomination" baptism) for further official details
ONENESS (United Pentecostal International) http://www.spiritualabuse.org/aof.html
WATER BAPTISM
The scriptural mode of baptism is immersion and is only for those who have fully repented, having turned from their sins and a love of the world. It should be administered by a duly authorized minister of the gospel, in obedience to the Word of God, and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the Acts of the Apostles 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5; thus obeying and fulfilling Matthew 28:19.
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:11, said, "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."
Jesus, in Acts 1:5, said, "Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
Luke tells us in Acts 2:4, "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues [languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance." The terms "baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire," "filled with the Holy Spirit," and the "gift of the Holy Ghost" are synonymous terms used interchangeably in the Bible.
ANABAPTIST
http://radixanabaptism.com/2013/06/05/core-beliefs-and-practices-of-the-16th-century-anabaptists/
Baptism of Believers
“aptism of those who had come to a mature faith and then chose to be baptized, was the most visible identifying mark of the movement. It was matched by an intense opposition to infant baptism….In spite of their insistence on adult baptism, the Anabaptists stilled maintained that “the water is just water.” It was the inner baptism of the Spirit that was primary and essential. The water baptism was simply an outer sign of true baptism, which was spiritual and inward. At another level…baptism in water was seen as a crucial seal or commitment to the rest of the Body of Christ and a response of obedience to scriptural command that was not to be ignored or set aside. Both baptisms fell to individual women and men alike, and called for their obedience to Scripture and the community, regardless of the consequences.”[8]
Discipline
“Anabaptists believe that baptism in the Spirit and in water bound believers to the Ban, or church discipline by the collective members of the Body of Christ. A true faith had to bear fruit in deed; deed had to correspond with creed. The personal commitment to fraternal admonition rested on the inward baptism (or regeneration and rebirth) of the Spirit: those truly regenerated by the Spirit were expected to live new lives, in Matthew 18:15-18. Fraternal admonition, like baptism, applied to women and men alike.”[9]
It is scriptural to expect all who receive the gift, filling, or baptism of the Holy Spirit to receive the same physical, initial sign of speaking with other tongues. The speaking with other tongues, as recorded in Acts 2:4, 10:46, and 19:6, and the gift of tongues, as explained in I Corinthians, chapters 12 and 14, are the same in essence, but different in use and purpose.
The Lord, through the Prophet Joel, said, "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh" (Joel 2:28).
Peter, in explaining this phenomenal experience, said, "Having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he [Jesus] hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear" (Acts 2:33).
Further, "the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).
WESTMINSTER CONFESSION http://baptism.org.uk/westminster.htm
THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE.
Chapter XXVIII
Of Baptism
I. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,[1] not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church;[2] but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,[3] of his ingrafting into Christ,[4] of regeneration,[5] of remission of sins,[6] and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in the newness of life.[7] Which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world.[8]
II. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the Gospel, lawfully called thereunto.[9]
III. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but Baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person.[10]
IV. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ,[11] but also the infants of one, or both, believing parents, are to be baptized.[12]
V. Although it is a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance,[13] yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without it:[14] or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.[15]
VI. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered;[16] yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited, and conferred, by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongs unto, according to the counsel of God's own will, in His appointed time.[17]
VII. The sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered unto any person.[18]