Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-06-21
For the Richland Beacon.
FOLLOWING JESUS IN BAPTISM"

contains some posltlonS which are TO me rafh-
er singular and apparently in conflict with
each other as well as with scriptural teaching.
/. What warrant has your correspondent
for chasing Johns Baptism as a "Mosaic rite! -
Prof. Moses Stuart, once among the greatest
of Presbyterian divines and Professor Of Sacred
Literature in Andover Theological Seminary,
shows conclusvely that such an assumption is
wholly without scriptural or historical founda-
ton. He asks the question twas baptism,
as an iniatory rite practised in the Jewish
church antecedently to the time when chris
tian baptism commenced?" He then enumer-
ates the ceremonies prescribed by the Mosaic
Law in respect TO the sacred use of water in
additions; "Q) washing the clothes only, (2)
washing the person, (3) washing both clothes
and person, a. that sprinkling was used most
frequently Of all by way of publication and
conservation, especially the sprinkling of blood
and oil and the water of publication or sepa.
ration, (5) affusion Of oil was also used in rhe
rites of publication, (6) smcaring over " it'll
oil" He then asks ADO all or any OF these
examples cast any light upon the christ ian
rite Of baptism p and answers 1--WE may an
least, to show tina, there is no trace of any
such rite as baptism, prescribed by the Jewish
ceremonial law, as an iniatory rite, i. e., as
one which was essential in order to make
profession of the Jewish religion. 1t is true,
indeed that Aaron and his sons were washed
with water, when abou, to be indicted INFO
it is equally true, that this, was only one of
very numerous rites Of induction into that O E.
fee"
2. 1t is impossible that Johns baptism Of
the Savior could have been the ceremony by
which he was indicted into the prisstly OF
flee, ID for the reason given by Prof. Stua Z,
that washing (Which Mr.. CAMPBELL evident y
desires to identify with baptism) twas only
one of very numerous rites of induction int,
that office" (2) because JESUS was "Pries,:
forever after the order Of Melchizedec"-
Melchizedec was certainly not indicted into.
the priesthood by baptism, but was made a
priest of God without the concurrence or sane
ton of any quasi human authority. Your cor
respondent concludes "The baptism of JESUS
therefore was the fulfilmsnt Of positive and
specific lau, and that fulfilment conferred up
on him all the power Of Priesthood and ser
vice in the Temple. In the exercise of that
power he entered the Temple and drove out
those who made his Fathers house house of
merchandise. When the chief priest came
forward, and demanded his authority for thus
exercising the power Of Priest in the Tenn
pie, saying: "By what authority doest thou
these things?" JESUS answered: 81 also will
ask yon one question, answer me, and will
tell you by what authority do these things;
the baptism Of John, was it from heaven or
Of men ?'-"Here JESUS referred directly tc
the baptism of John for the authority of acting T,
as Priest in the Temple thus sustaining tn, /,
position that his baptism by John was a reg
ular induction into the Priesthood according
to the Mosaic law Of ceremonies" Your cor
respondent should have quoted the context
with JRsUs's answer to the chief priests and
elders "And they reasoned with themselves,
saying, If we shall say, from heaven he will
say unto u.s. why did We not believe him p
But if we shall say, of men; we fear the peo-
pie; for all hold John as prophet. And they
answered JESUS and said, We cannot tell
And he said unto them, Neither tell you by
~hat authority I do these things" In the
tradict the Savior's last words in this connec-
ton by explaining that in asking the Jews
concerning Johns baptism he shows plainly
that he is acting as priest in the Temple by
virtue Of the power conferred upon him by
that baptism! In the second place your cor.
respondent claims that JESUS was indicted in.
to the Priesthood according 10 the Mosaic law
Of ceremonies! and yet admits that he was
priest after the order Of Mechzedec, of whom
the Scripture saith she was without father,
without mother, without descent, having
neither beginning Of days nor end Of life but
made like unto the Son Of God abideth a
priest continually" JEsuss descent was not
counted from the Sons of Levi, he was not
called after the order Of Aaron, 1Fer it is evil
dent that our Lord sprang out Of Juia; of
which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning
priesthood. And it is yet far more evident;
for that after the similitude of Melchizedec
there ariseth another priest, who is made, not
after the ia,r Of a earnal commandment, but af
ter the po,rsr Of an endless lifs.' Heb 7, l4-l6.
3. What did JEsUs' Baptism at the hands
Of John signify. He says thus it becemeth
us to fulfill all righteousness" Johns bap-
tism was the baptism Of repentance. JESUS
was identified with those he came to save,
was the leader Of his brethren, therefore it
became him to be obedient TO fulfill all
righteousness. "John pronounced all the
people impure, JEsUs, tho sinless and holy,
was included in the general declaration with
the people, his connection it'll the people
rendered him lcviiically unclesp. Thiuimr