The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-10-21
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1sp,y to Friend ices


you be 90 kind ss to give me space In your
celumns TO reply to some inquiries of my
friend "Joe." This is some what out of my
line Of work, to discuss such subject
through the columns Of newspaper, but
since have been called upon TO viudioate
myself, cheerfally eudeayor 40 to do
Now, friend "Jos," let us agree to discuss
this matter 1>nkly, defending the truth and
yielding to ame cheerfully, remember
ing that we ~ nothing personal, except
to benefit each other. -,
Permit me 10 quote from yours oflast weak
In reference tome: al am disposed to think,
however, the Rev. gentleman got o 1itte
of in bis zeal 10 defend his mode Of bap-
tism, (itaiics mioe) when he stated pub
licly that neither Ssprinkliug or pouring is
baptism"
l grant that you are honest in your
opinion, and believe, il you saw otherwise
you would have the candor to admit it; but
since you did not evinoe to me where was
"off by giving argument to the contrary,
and since have the Bi6ie on my side, am
not yet disposed to admit that was "lit-
tie off,
Permit me to cay before snt ering more
fully upon this discussion, that if you meant
that my zeal was net prompted by sincere
convictions of the truth, you certainly failed
to understand me. am far from preaching
auy doctrine that l do not believe to be
taught in the Scriptures. Hence it was not
"my mode Of baptism" but the Bible mode
thai 1 endeavored 70 defend so zealously-
for claim that immersion is the Bible mode
of baptism.
Let me quote further: "If he is right,
then what host Of ignorant people there
are in other churches, who do not sgree
with him."
am not able to say whether it is a mat
ter Of ignorance or indifference; for when We
consult the works of learned Pedobaptists
We find that almost all of them agree that
the primitive mode of baptism was INNER
sion. will mention q few Of them here:
Testimonies Of Celebrated Pedobaptist Scholars.
Charles Apthon, LII. D., Episcopaliau
Prof. Of Latin and Greek, Columbia Col
lege, New York: "The primary mean
ing," (of the word baptizo) is dip or
im,nsrse. Secondary, if it has any, refers
to the same leading idea. Sprmkling,
is entirely out of the question"
Rev. George Campbell, d. D., President Of
Msrischal College, Scotland, Presbyterian in
his Preliminary Dissertations on the Gospels,
declares that the original Greek words mean
intn,erss, immersion.
Revs. Thomas Chalmers, D. D., Presbyte-
rian; Moses Stewart, d. D.. Congregational
ist; Martin Luther, founder OF tho Great
rsofS,mation; John Calvin, founder Of Presby-
tsrianism; John Wesley, tho founder of
Methodism; Adam Clarke, D. D., the cele-
| brated Methodist exposition, with numbers of
| other Pedobaptist scholars, arc agreed that
the primitive mode of baptism was made
| by immersion. This being true, 1 would not
charge them with ignorance. But space will
not permit me to speak further on this point
| at present.
must quote further from your letter {:
"Mr. II. tolls us that no other mode of bap-
tism was practiced for 250 years after
Christ"
When made this assertion took history
| for my authority, and Of course we must
depend upon the records of history for such
information. Sprinkiiag grew out Of tho idea
Of baptismal regeneration. Men believing
the doctrine that, if any one died uubap-
tized he would be lost. and since sick man
upon his bed could not be immersed easily,
thought that profusion Of water poured
upon him might save him. This was called
clinic bopfism, and the first record Of such
baptism, indeed, the first example of affusion,
is given in the Ecclesiastical History of
Eussbius. II was the celebrated case of
Novatian, A. D., $50. Eussbins says of
him: "Being delivered by the exorcists, he
fell into SCI sickness. and as he seemed
about to die, He received baptism by affusion,
on the bed where he lay, il, indeed, we can
| say such on one did receive it, Now, if
you can find on earlier record Of this So
called 6aptism shall thank you for the infor-
| nation.
But let me quote the rest, and then with
| few words close: "Now, will brother (no
excuse me, j am not baptisi) will Rev. II .
tell US his authority for sayiog the Apostle
Paul was immersed, aud oblige, Jos.''
1t Is li'tle singular that Pauls baptism
is so often referred TO by Pedobaptists; for
when rightly considered, 1 fail to see where
they get any argument in favor Of sprink-
| ling or pouring.
"And why tarriest thou? Arise and
be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling
on the Lord" (AcIs 22:IG).
This passage seems to be proof text,
from which they draw conclusion that Paul
was sprinkled. But let us see il we can,
answer all the objections they may offer
| against immersion, and If so we shall con.
clude that Paul was immersed, ss the very
word implies.
Let US notice first the word "Arise."
Paul the Pedobapiists say, "simply got
up and was baptised where he stood" Blu,
let US examine the Greek word Anastas
nsstas.) Itimplies motion after ris.
ins. Liddell and Scott not only say it
means TO ''arise," but to make people '.ariss
to leave their homes" Thayer says, Those
who leave place TO 60 elsewhere, hence
Of those who prepare themselves for o jour.
ney." Robinson-"Ho arose and followed. -
Hence, according 10 Lexicons, Paul arose
and went to another place aud was baptized.
Now, IL there was no other word in the
sentence than ''be baptized" that would bs
sufficient to tell what was done, since all OF
the best Greek scholars are agreed that bap.
tism means immersion. Read what Paul
says about baptism in Rom 6:8. The "we''
includes himself.
Wash away thy sins" The word need
for wash is tono. DR.. Robinson says louo
signifies TO wash the entire body not
merely part Of it, ike nipto." Hence my
candid convictions % that Paul was i'm
mersed and I give you Al INV antboritv