2509.-Baptism by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · May 20, 1908

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 21.

2509.—Baptism.

By Editor

Can one be baptized without the sprinkling of water or any preacher’s ceremony? If one has truly repented, and his sins are forgiven of God, and has promised to do only what is right, is he not baptized? Baptism does not consist of water, does it?

It seems as tho the inquirer could easily settle his own question. If one truly repents of his sins and receives forgiveness of God, and promises God to do what is right, then he will be baptized, will he not? Baptism means immersion, whelming, covering, and baptism in water, such as John’s baptism. The way in which Jesus Himself was baptized, the way in which the apostles were baptized, and all the early Christians, was the baptism in water which was enjoined by the Lord. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you,” reads the word. The mere act itself does not save. Baptism is an expression of one’s faith. There is a baptism into the Spirit of God, for which the outward baptism in life is to some extent the sign. That does not set aside water baptism, however, any more than it does the Lord’s Supper.