Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-08-16
4eadimq fur the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
[Orlglnal.1
BAPTISM OF CHRIST.

| (Origlnal.]
BAPTISM OF CHRIST.
There is something about the baptism OF
Jesus Christ, that is worthy of the considera-
ton of everybody. We have no reference to
the mode of his baptism. Our business is
not to discuss controverted points. So far as
our object is concerned, it makes no sort of
difference whether the mode was sprinkling
or immersion.
Thus much being promised, we proceed to
declare that in the accepted meaning of the
word baptism, Jesus Christ was not baptized
at all. This may startle some one in fact,
many may be ready to pronounce the declara-
ton contradiction of the Bible. We read
ily admit that in Matthew iii {: 13; Mark i: 9,
and Luke iii :21, it is said Jesus was baptized
by John. What, however, does the word
baptize mean in this connection? 1t will be
admitted by all candid controversialists, no
matter whether they be advocates of sprink-
ling or immersion, that the word baptize has 4
variety of meanings. according to the circum-
stances and connection in which it is used.
This is the case with every word. We are
not able at present to think of a single excep-
ton. The Jews spoke of baptizing pots and
couches, and they also spoke of baptizing
men The word must have meaning, at
least somewhat different in each of these in
stances. This being true, it makes no sort Of
difference about the mode.
There are two baptisms spoken of in the
Scriptures-John's baptism and Christian
baptism. The Jews also were, we are inform
ed, accustomed to baptize proselytes, or gen.
tiles who rejected Paganism and embraced
Judaism. 1t is clear that Jesus Christ was
not proselyte. He was Of the seed of Abra-
hama Jew in the strictest sense of the word.
His baptism, therefore, was not the baptism
which was administered to proselytes.
The baptism of John was peculiar. 1t is
called "a baptism unto repentance" The in
dividuals who were baptized by John, we're
expected to confess their sins, and John ex-
horted them to bring forth fruits meet for re-
pentance. We have no exact form of words
used by him in baptizing, but are warranted
in saying that he did no more than exhort
those whom he baptized, to reform their lives
and prepare for the coming Messiah. The
individuals, in every instance, confessed their
SINS Now it is clear that in this sense, our
Saviour was not baptized. He had no sins,
and consequently had no confessions to make.
1t would have been glaring Inconsistency in
John, or any one else, to have exhorted our
Saviour to repent and prepare for the Mes.
siah. He was holy, harmless and separate
from sin. Besides, Johns baptism was en-
Joined neither under old nor new testament
dispensation. Where or when, or by whom,
it originated, we may not be able to tell with
absolute accuracy but this much we do know,
it was not of divine origin. Jesus says, when
John hesitated to baptize him, ''su6er it to be
so now for thus it becometh US to fulfill all
Righteousness.
Neither was the baptism of Jesus what is
properly called Christian baptism. Christian
baptism was not instituted until after the
death and resurrection of Jesus. Among the
very last things that Jesus did after his cru
cifxion and resurrection, and Immediately
previous to his ascension, was to command
his disciples ITO 60 and teach all nations, bap.
tizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" Matt
xviii 19. Christian baptism is to be ad-
ministered in the name of the three persons
of the Godhead, and for the remission of sins
As Jesus was not sinner, he had no sins to
be remitted, and it is impossible to conceive
that John, when baptizing the Saviour, pro.
nounced the sentence, 81 baptize you in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost" We know he said no such
thing. We conclude that Jesus was baptized
neither into Johns baptism, nor Christian
baptism. The reader may be ready to in
quire, "What was done by John?" We re.
ply, John baptized is washed-Jesus in
or with water, preparatory to his entering
upon the public functions of his Office as
priest
At this time Jesus was about thirty years
old. Perhaps he was little more than thir-
ty, or he may have been little less than
thirty. The presumption is that he wanted
about the forty days that was spent in tempta-
ton, of thirty years. Under old Testament
dispensation, the priests did not oficiate un-
til they had attained the age of thirty years.
See Numbers iv 81; also verses 34 and 35.
See also, 1st Chronicles xxiii:3 In 1st
Chronicles xiii IA, 25, 26, 27, %, it is sta
ted that the sons of Levi were numbered from
twenty years old and upward; but it seems
from verse % that some inferior work was
assigned to part of those numbered. Jesus
then, at the time he was washed with water
by John, had attained the proper age to en-
ter upon the public duties of the office of
priest.
One of the ceremonies observed in conse-
Grating the priests, was washing them with
water In this way was Aaron and his sons
consecrated. Leviticus wills. With regard
to the manner in which the washing was per-
formed, we say nothing. We have our own
opinion, but give no expression to it here
All that we do say is that we feel convinced
that in the usual acceptation of the word bap-
tsm, Jesus was not baptized. In accordance
with the prescribed form, he was, BY John,
washed with water and thus publicly set apart
to the office of priest The sacraments Of
the New Testament are baptism and the
Lords Supper. Both were instituted by
Christ. but he himself was not baptized !;