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 Is
the element “baptized”, or is the subject baptized in
the element??
If
John Doe is the subject -- a man desiring baptism —- do we “baptize”
John Doe, or do we “baptize" the water?? This
may sound like a foolish question, but humor me -— give it a
serious answer.
_________________________
According
to common usage today, “baptism” may be by immersion,
pouring, or sprinkling. “Immersion” means “act of
immersing, to plunge into anything that surrounds or covers;
submersion.” So, if we “baptize” by “immersion” we
plunge the subject into the element, so as to cover or submerge.
“Pouring”
means “to cause to flow, run in a sluice; to issue as if in a
stream.” (In all definitions I am compounding noun and verb
definitions so as to cover subject as fully as possible.) If we
“baptize” by “pouring” we cause the subject to flow or
run in a sluice, (poor John Doe) or, we cause the element
(water) to flow or run in a sluice. Of course if it is the
element that flows, then, by our dictionary it is the element
that is baptized. If not, why not?
“Sprinkling”
means “to scatter in drops or particles; act of one that
sprinkles.” Now, if “baptism” means ”sprinkling” we
again ask, is the subject sprinkled, or is the element
sprinkled? The subject receives the sprinkling, true; but in
this we move to a tangent usage of terms. We could as well say
the administrator sprinkles — but he sprinkles what?
Does he cause the subject to be scattered in small drops, (poor
John
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Doe) or, does he cause the element
to be scattered in small drops??
So
— this is a lot of foolishness! Do you realize that it fairly
represents a theological argument that has been raging for
centuries? And all so absolutely unnecessary!! If man would just
be satisfied with what God has said on the subject there would
be no need for any further argumentation.
“Go
— teach all nations, baptizing them —” (Matt. 28:l9) No
problem here; it is the taught people that are to be baptized
— to be immersed, poured, or sprinkled, as the case may be.
The subject — John Doe -- is to be baptized. The same
truth is evident in other passages on the subject: “He that
believeth and is baptized —“ or “repent and be baptized,
every one of you —-” (Mk. 16:16 Acts 2:38).
Baptism
takes place in the element, as may be seen in Acts 8: 38: ”and
they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch;
and he baptized him.” Much water is required, as we may see
from John 3: 23: ”John also was baptizing in Enon near to
Salim, because there was much water there:..” And Paul wrote,
“We are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.” “BURIAL”
should and does settle the matter for those who seriously
consider the word of God.
The
scriptures do not command John to be caused to run in a sluice,
or to be scattered in small drops.
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