One Baptism by Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 1, 1875

“One Baptism.”

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Several correspondents have requested us to give our views in regard to “trine immersion,” as practiced by the German Baptists or Dunkers. Also to give the historical facts regarding the modes of administration.

There is much difference of opinion respecting the age of trine immersion, and we have taken but little interest in the disputes on that point, for the reason that we think the question is so completely settled by Scripture that we need not appeal to history to ascertain our duty.

1. Those who practice trine immersion never sprinkle; they agree with us that the Greek word is properly translated immerse; therefore, we are agreed that baptism is equivalent to immersion. Hence, if Eph. 4:5, were translated throughout it would read, “One Lord, one faith, one immersion.” And therefore we think their system is against the Scriptures, as they really have three baptisms. To reply, as they always do, that they have one baptism with three immersions is only to contradict their own avowed faith, that baptism is immersion. For if baptism is properly translated immersion, then the expression, “one baptism with three immersions,” is as much of a paradox as it is to say, one baptism with three baptisms, or one immersion with three immersions. This is so unless we admit that baptism is not identical with immersion. But if we do this, we concede the entire ground, and the question of mode has yet to be settled; that is, it remains to be proved that immersion, and that only, is baptism.

2. That three baptisms are required because there are three names given in the commission does not appear reasonable. There is altogether too much separation of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in that view. Even in commercial transactions, anything done by an agent for a firm of three parties is done once for them all, as a debt of one thousand dollars would not be collected three times, once for each one of the firm, if one thousand were the sum specified. But the union of a firm in business comes far short of the unity existing between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and one baptism is the duty specified.

Heb. 6:2, is quoted by them (doctrine of baptisms), as proof that there is a plurality of baptisms. This is true, but not in the sense in which they take it. There is one baptism of the Spirit, and one baptism of water. To make three of one kind contradicts Eph. 4:5. Whether we refer Eph. 4:5, “one baptism,” to that of water or of the Spirit, it proves that there is but one of that kind.

Paul, in Rom. 6:3, says, we are baptized into the death of Christ, or planted in the likeness of his death. I Cor. 15:3, 4, says, Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again; this is the order. And that it is this to which the apostle refers in Rom. 6 is plain from verses 1-3, where he gives baptism or burial as proof that we are dead, making death to precede the burial. Now from this view, we may inquire, Did Christ die three times? We insist that he died as often as he was buried. And if we are buried three times, we are not baptized into his death, or planted in the likeness of his death, for he died and was buried but once. This is decisive with us.

Whether a person should be buried face downward is, we suppose, quite a matter of taste. If others prefer it, we offer no objections, but shall not consent to bury our friends in that manner. Could it be proved that Jesus was laid on his face in the tomb, it would be an argument in favor of that practice. But as we do not think it can be, we shall follow what seems to be a more proper way.

J. H. Waggoner.