Much Water

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 16, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 36.

“Much Water.”—Of course there can be no question regarding the mode of baptism, to one who takes the simple word of God “baptize,” for “baptize” means to whelm, immerse. But there are some expressions in Scripture that are peculiarly fitting to the mode. God in His providence has left these undesigned coincidences to strengthen the hearts of His children who have stood for proper baptism: “And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” John 3:23. How easy it would have been, and just as clear, to say, “And John was baptizing in Enon near to Salim; and they came and were baptized.” If baptism meant pouring or sprinkling, surely it would not take much water for this; but it did require “much water” in a stream, or lake, or pool, to baptize (immerse) many people. It would be very difficult to explain the text with the idea of any other meaning to “baptism” than that of immersion.