ADMISSIONS ON MODE OF BAPTISM
By George B. Thompson
CANDOR has forced many Bible commentators to make admissions that are contrary to even their own professed belief and practise in spiritual matters. As an example of this, the following in reference to baptism can be noted: "It is needless to add that baptism was, unless in exceptional cases, administered by immersion, the convert being plunged beneath the surface of the water to represent his death to the life of sin, and then raised from this momentary burial to represent his resurrection to the life of righteousness. It must be a subject of regret that the general discontinuance of this original form of baptism, though perhaps necessary in our northern climates, has rendered obscure to popular apprehension some very important passages of Scripture."—"Life and Epistles of St. Paul," by Conybeare and Howson, People's Edition, page 384. Again, speaking concerning the baptism of Lydia, it is stated: "Lydia, being convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, and having made a profession of her faith, was forthwith baptized. . . . The waters of Europe were 'sanctified to the mystical washing away of sin.'"—Id., page 255. In a comment on Rom. 6: 4 we read, "This passage can not be understood unless it be borne in mind that the primitive baptism was by immersion."—Id., page 557. These comments are quite correct. The only Scriptural mode of baptism is that of immersion. It is to be deeply deplored that this sacred rite, like the holy Sabbath of Jehovah, has been so largely set aside by tradition.
G. B. T.