The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-03-24
FoR TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
REVIEW.
REV. B. NJ. SMITH, D. D.

l. CLASSIC BAPTISM An Inquiry INTO the mean
ing of the cord BaptidzO, as determined 6S
Classic Greek aoriters. Philadelphia: 1868.
s vo., pp. 354.
2. AN INQUIRY INTO THE MEANING OF BAPTIDzo,
and the nature of Jadaic Baptism. as shO,on By
,Je1cish and P1tristic 0riters Philadelphia
1870. Svo., pp. 400.
g. AN INQUIRY INTO THE USAGE OF BAPTIDZo,
and the nature of Jokanaic Baptism as exhibited
ia the Hoh Scriptures. Philadelphia: 1871.
Svo., pp. 42O.
T. AN INQUIRY INTO THE USAGE OF BAPTIDzo,
and the nature of Christie and RatriStic Bdp-
tisus, as exhibited IN the Holy Scriptures and
Patristc l0ritings. Philadelphia: 1870. vo.,
pp. $50.
CHRISTIE AND PATRIsTIC BAPTISM.
The result of the discussion in "Johan-
mic Baptism" may be presented in one SEN
tence. The Baptism of the soul By the Holy
Ghost and its ritual exhibition by the SYM
6Ol of sOater, applied to the body, was the
doctrine taught by John, and this prepares
the way for examining the fourth volume of
DR.. Dale, entitled "Christic and Patristic
Baptism" But so much space has been Oc'
cupied in this analysis, that brief summary
of the scope and results of this discussion is
all that can be attempted. It is possible the
subject may be resumed by some pen In
the future.
The positions sustained in Johannic Bap'
tism as to the terms, grammatical forms,
ideal element denoted by the proposition
"into" followed by such word as "repen-
tance'' or "remission" and the spiritual
change of condition thus stated, are fully
illustrated and confirmed. In the Christian
Baptism, however, which is here developed,
new ideal elements are introduced. Chris
tian Baptism is specially "iatO C6rist," and
in a wider application, "intO the name of
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" that is,
the person really baptized is in a condition
of thorough subsection to the influence and
authority of Christ, and is thus brought into
a thorough changed condition, from subjec-
ton to sin and to Satan, to that of cordial,
full submission to the Triune God; so that
in the various relations sustained to each
person of the Trinity, his whole spiritual
nature is in full and sweet accord. This
condition begins in Regeneration and is per-
fectly accomplished in Sancti6catiOn.' AL
that ritual baptism does is to represent this
changed condition by the symbOlcal rite oi
water Baptism. As in the case of ceremo'
NAL publications, the modal form of using
the baptizing agency was sprinkling, pour
ing or merely tinging (as in the cOnsecra
ton of the High Priest so in this baptism
the mode is inferentislly the same. And a'
the mode of the baptism by the Holy Spirit
is represented by pouring, the modal form
of the agency in the use of water by pour
ing is still farther confirmed. But in tn
rite connected with the Baptisms of Johl
and of the Apostles, the water symbOlicall.
used is connected with the word baptidzO il
a dative case with or without the preposi
tion) expressive of means, and not by tina
which connects baPtidzO with the element
material or ideal, by which intus-positiOl
or influence, and so change of condition
state or character effected, is expressed
With the form of using the means, Baptidz
has nothing whatever of connection, whic
can affect its meaning; for the result or ei
feet is in no way dependent on such form.
At very early period in the history
the Christian Church, the natural tendenc
of the human heart to a religious system {
outward observances, introduced into th
observance of the simple forms of spiritus
Christianity the devices of man, by which
twas supposed, such forms might be rendere
more impressive and so more efficient. Th
"Fathers," gradually adopted the practiC
of covering the subjects of Baptism, no
nasntarily, in water. They did not hold tn
process to be Christian or any other Bal
tism. Their idea of a true Christian Ba
sism coincided with that already set fort
and their language on the subject shO7
that in the force of the terms and graz
matical forms, a thorough change of como
ton was accepted as the proper signi6C
ton. The entire scope of their Writin