The word jSaTTifw, in form; though not in usage, the frequent- ative of pdnrG), occurs seventy-six times in the New Testament, and is the word used by the Holy Ghost to convey the command to baptize. Its classical meaning was dip, submerge, sink. Be- sides these, we have the nouns of the same root and usage, {3diTTio[j,a occurring twenty-two times, translated baptism, and j3aTrriafj,6g occurring four times, translated baptism, Heb. vi, 2, and washing, Mark vii., 4, 8 ; Heb. ix., 10. The only question with which we are concerned, however, is as to the scriptural usage of these words. It is an important and universally recog- nized principle, that the biblical and classical usage of the same word is often very different. This effect is to be traced to the influence of three general causes.
1st. The principal classics of the language were composed in the Attic dialect. But the general language used by the Greek- speaking world at the Christian era was the " common, or Hel- lenic dialect of the later Greek," resulting from the fusion of the different dialects previously existing.
2d. The language of the writers of the New Testament was again greatly modified by the fact that their vernacular was a form of the Hebrew language (Syro-Chaldaic) ; that their con- stant use of the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures had largely influenced their usage of the Greek language, espe- cially in the department of religious thought and expression ; and that, in the very act of composing the New Testament Scrip- tures, they were engaged in the statement of religious ideas, and in the inauguration of religious institutions which had their types and symbols in the ancient dispensation, as revealed in the sacred language of the Hebrew Scriptures.
3d. The New Testament writings are a revelation of new ideas and relations, and hence the words and phrases through which these new thoughts are conveyed must be greatly modified in re- spect to their former etymological sense and heathen usage, and " for the full depth and compass of meaning belonging to them in their new application we must look to the New Testament itself, comparing one passage with another, and viewing the lan- guage used in the light of the great things which it brings to our apprehension/'
As examples of this contrast between the scriptural and clas-
MODE OF BAPTISM. 485
sical usage of a word, observe, dyyeXog, angel ; ttq£o(5vt£qoc , pres- byter or elder ; tnnXnoia, church ; PaaiXela ~ov deov, or tcjv ovpavtiv, kingdom of God, or of heaven ; nakiyyevEoia, regenera- tion ; %dgig , grace, etc., etc. — Fairbairn's " Herm. Manual/' Part I., section 2.
8. What is the position of the Baptist churches as to the mean- ing of the Scriptural word fiaTcrifa, and by what arguments do they seek to prove that immersion is the only valid mode of bap- tism ?
" That it always signifies to dip, never expressing any thing but mode/'' — Carson on Baptism, p. 55. They insist, therefore, upon always translating the word Bchtti^g) and $a-nTio\ia by the words immerse and immersion.
They argue that immersion is the only valid mode of baptism, 1st, from the constant meaning of the word j3anri^(o. 2d. From the symbolical import of the rite, as emblematic of burial and resurrection. 3d. From the practice of the apostles. 4th. From history of the early church.
9. What is the position occupied upon this point by all other Christians ?
1st. It is an established principle of scriptural usage that the names and attributes of the things signified by sacramental signs are attributed to the signs, and on the other hand that the name of the sign is used to designate the grace signified. Thus, Gen. xvii., 11, 13, the name of covenant is given to circumcision ; Matt, xxvi., 26-28, Christ called the bread his body, and the wine his blood ; Titus iii., 5, baptism is called the washing of regenera- tion. Thus also the words baptize and baptism are often used to designate that work of the Holy Ghost in regeneration, which the sign, or water baptism, signifies, Matt, iii., 11 ; 1 Cor. xii., 13 ; Gal. iii., 27 ; Deut. xxx., 6. It follows consequently that these words are often used in a spiritual sense.
2d. These words when relating to ritual baptism, or the sign representing the thing signified, imply the application of water in the name of the Trinity, as an emblem of purification or spiritual regeneration, and never, in their scriptural usage, signify any thing whatever as to the mode in which the water is applied.
486 BAPTISM.
I have answered, under question 6, above, the second baptist argument, as stated under question 8. Their first and third argu- ments, as there stated, I will proceed to answer now.
10. How may it be proved from their scriptural usage that the words (3anTi%(o and pdnnofia do not signify immersion, but washing to effect purification, without any reference to mode f