THE PROTESTANT VIEW OF BAPTISM

By HERB EVANS, Ltt.D.

157 PATTIES PLACE

PORTERSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA 16051

E-MAIL: herbevans@juno.com

To discuss baptism with Protestants, who squirm every which way to justify their sprinkling or pouring, is an interesting endeavor. Pretending to be Greek experts and playing Bible Correctors, they use the Greek to buttress their unscriptural views, Prots like to point out that the Pharisees baptized (in the Greek) by washing themselves, cups, pots, vessels, and furniture. One Prot even objected by saying that they baptized their "couches" (NIV) -- "tables" (KJB).

He must have thought their couches were sofas or trundle beds (their "furniture" consisted of mats, carpets, or pallets, doubling as beds, tables, and underpinnings for the beggars and the sick).

These Prots point out that the Greek word for baptism and its derivatives underlies some of these washings, neglecting the fact that the Pharisees’ illegitimate and invalid ceremonial washings were traditions of the elders and the commandments of men (just like the Prots’ infant baptism and sprinkling).

The Pharisees had no authority to baptize anyone or anything. The Pharisees had no authority to baptize, and they recognized that anyone who did baptize must have that authority from God and heaven in the way that John the Baptist and Jesus’ disciples baptized.

Although the Greek is not our final authority, and we have no intention of correcting the English with the Greek or Hebrew,  we have decided to use the Protestants’ own weapons against them in that they try to make baptism to refer to only a mere washing by using the Greek. Here is the rest of the Protestant story.

The Protestant

Proof Texts

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen [449], [negative derivative of 3538] hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash [3538] their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash [907 – (baptize)] they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing [909 – (baptism)] of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen [449 - negative derivative of 3538] hands? For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing [909 (baptism] of pots and cups . . . -- Mark 7:2-8

And when the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed [907 (baptized)] before dinner. -- Luke 11:38

Heb 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings [909 (baptisms)], and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. – Heb. 9:10

The Greek

The primary Strong’s numbers for the Greek words "wash" and "baptism" are as follows:

G3538 -- a partial cleansing but may be a complete cleansing or washing whether ceremonial or other.

G449 -- a combination of 3538 with a negative prefix

G628 -- a combination of 575 (away) and 3068

G3068 -- a specific complete washing or cleansing, whether ceremonial, spiritual, or other

G4250 -- a combination of 3538 and 3068 in the sense of laundering

G1686 embapto -- From G1722 and G911; to whelm on, that is, wet (a part of the person, etc.) by contact with a fluid: - dip.

G907 baptizo -- From a derivative of G911; to make whelmed (that is, FULLY WET); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: - baptist, baptize, wash.

G908 baptisma -- From G907; baptism (technically or figuratively: -baptism

G909 baptismos -- From G907; ablution (ceremonially or Christian): - baptism, washing.

G911 bapto -- A primary verb; to whelm, that is, cover wholly with a fluid; in the New Testament only in a qualified or specific sense, that is, (literally) to moisten (a part of one’s person), or (by implication) to stain (as with dye): - dip.

Note 1: G907, 908, 909 are a complete dipping and removal from water whether natural, ceremonial, or symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection.

Note 2: EMBAPTO is the word that Prots would desire in other places. However, that is not much comfort to them in that in John 13:26, it uses both embapto and also bapto. Down UNDER, Baby!

Note 3: Bapto (911), should not to be confused with baptizo (907). Still, this dipping also covers wholely and is even used as a term for dying or staining by dipping.

The English Bible translators understood that the washings of the Pharisees were ceremonial and carnal, just like the O.T. ceremonial ordinances are now carnal ordinances. They also differentiated between the ceremonial (as opposed to sanitary cleansings), although their ceremonial washings were invalid, illegitimate, and the traditional commandments of men.

So, the early English Bible translators translated one Greek word (3058) as "wash," which usually is a cleansing of parts of the body (hands, feet, etc.). The KJB translators also translated the Greek word (907, 908, 909 -- baptize) in this passage as a ceremonial "wash" or "washing."

These words (907, 908, 909) mean to dip entirely and do refer to a complete washing not to be confused with John’s baptism or the baptisms in Acts and the epistles. The KJB translators did not confuse the issue by rendering any of the Pharisees’ invalid, illegitimate, ceremonial washings as baptisms (or pouring or sprinkling either).

Again, the KJB translators were careful to differentiate the carnal, the old, and the invalid from the spiritually new, refusing to translate the word (909) as divers or different baptisms but rather diverse washings (Heb. 9:10).

Other Considerations

Mat 3:11, 12 I indeed baptize [907] you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize [907] you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. – Matt. 3:11, 12

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized [907] with the baptism [908] that I am baptized [907] with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism [908] that I am baptized [907] with: -- Matt. 20:22, 23 (see Luke 12:50)

But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism [908] that I am baptized [907] with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism [908] that I am baptized [907] withal shall ye be baptized [908] . . . -- Mark 10:38, 39

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, [907] and wash away [628 - 575+3068] thy sins. . . – Acts 22:16

The like figure whereunto even baptism [908] doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: -- 1 Peter 3:21

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and IN the sea. . . – 1 Cor 10:1, 2

Besides these "wash" words being used for ceremonial washings, another word is used for the complete spiritual washing (away) (3068). The KJB translators translated the Greek words (907, 908, 909) for John’s water baptism and for any legitimate "Christian" water baptisms but not as Christian washings, except when explaining the meaning of the symbology or the figure as in Acts 22:16 and 1 Peter 3:21, carefully preserving the ceremonial and the symbolic nature distinct from the spiritual meaning and basis of that water baptism.

The translators not only translated the Greek words as baptism, when it referred to John’s water baptism or water baptisms in Acts and the Epistles but also referred to the figurative, baptismal identification with the death and burial (planting) and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6).

Not to be ignored is the non-water baptism of fire that the unsaved will receive and also the non-water baptism of the Holy Ghost, burying those in Himself at Pentecost. The reference to Christ’s death in Matthew and Mark to his death and the apostles’ deaths is noteworthy. The Israelites passed through and were BELOW and UNDER THE SEA, and were so said to be baptized IN THE SEA. They were not merely sprinkled or poured.

Washings, Partial versus Complete and Every Whit

And said unto him, Go, wash [3538] in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed [3538] and came seeing. made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: [3538] and I went and washed [washed], and I received sight. – John 9:7

After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash [3538] the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded . . . Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash [3538] my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash [3538] thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed [3068 (complete washing] needeth not save to wash [3538] his feet, but is clean EVERY WHIT . . . So after he had washed [3538] their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them . . . If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed [3538] your feet; ye also ought to wash [3538] one another's feet. – John 13:5, 8 -14

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed [3068 (complete washing] their stripes; and was baptized [907], he and all his, straightway. – Acts 16:33

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed [3068 (complete washing] us from our sins in his own blood . . . – Rev. 1:5

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed [4150 = 3068 + 3538 (laundered)] their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. – Rev. 7:14

The word for wash in John 9:7 is one that is used mostly for partial washing but may still be used for the washing of the whole. For partial washing, one need not go to a pool to wash, unless it is the whole body that needs to be washed.

A stronger word (3068) is used in John 13:10 and contrasted with partial washings (3538) in the passage, the weaker word being used for cleansing parts of the body. In this case the contrast is cleansing one’s feet versus the being washed EVERY WHIT.

A dead body was washed every whit for a funeral, and the prisoners’ bodies were washed completely, so obviously there was enough water to baptize the jailer and his family.

The English translators maintained the difference between washing the whole body for sanitary and medical considerations versus the distinctive Christian baptism of the whole body.

Notice how a complete washing is made distinct from a ceremonial water baptism in both Greek and English. Notice also that we are washed entirely and not partially in Jesus blood in Rev. 1:5, a full or complete washing in Jesus blood.

A full or complete baptism under water portrays that complete blood washing. Even our robes of righteousness are completely washed [4150] or laundered. Even the entire body of the sow had been washed (3068) in 2 Peter 2:22. Still, none of these 3538’s or 3068’s were rendered baptisms. Strange! Isn’t it?

Baptism versus Sprinkling

Mar 1:5, 9 And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. . . . And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled [4472] from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed [3068] with pure water.

Baptism was always in a river or in watery place with much water. Baptism always occurs in the Scripture where there is enough water! See here is water, what hindereth the Eunuch from being baptized. Certainly, a few drops of water from Philip’s canteen would had sufficed to sprinkle.

Sprinkling is not symbolic of nor does it typify either a burial or a death. In Hebrews, you have both the words for sprinkling and complete body washing used in its allegory. The translators were careful, again, not to suggest any kind of salvation from either of these terms, since the verse is talking about assurance.

Dipping in the Bible

We contend that baptism is a dipping under water and a removal from the water to depict the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. See the following:

And he answered and said, He that dippeth [1623] his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. – Mat. 26:33 (Mark 14:20)

Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped [911] it. And when he had dipped [1686] the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. – John 13:26

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip [911] the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. – Luke 16:24

. . . a vesture dipped [911] in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. – Rev. 19:13 (see Gen. 37:31; Ezekiel 23:15 -- dyed or stained attire by dipping)

Naaman the Baptist

2Ki 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash [H7324] in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

2Ki 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped [H2881] himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Naaman became a Baptist. He was told to wash in the Jordon seven times and Naaman dipped seven times. Baptism is both a dipping and a washing.

Note 1: H7364 ra^chats raw-khats' --A primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of the thing): - bathe (self), wash (self).

Note 2: This is the only place in the Corrupt Greek Septuagint where it translates the Hebrew "dipped" to baptiso. Of course, a whole body of a person is involved in this dipping or baptism.

The Greek Septuagint

Hebrew Dip (H2881) is translated BAPTO by the corrupt Greek Septuagint in the following:

Ex. 12:22 -- BAPTO, dip

Lev 4:6, 17 -- BAPTO, dip

Lev. 9:9 – BAPTO, dip

Lev. 11:32 -- BAPTO, Septuagint --dipped in water, KJB --put in water

Lev. 14:6 -- BAPTO, dip in blood

Lev. 1416 -- BAPTO, dip in oil

Lev. 14:51 -- BAPTO, dip in blood

Num. 19:18 -- BAPTO, dip in water (contrast with sprinkle in 19:19)

Deut. 33:24 – BAPTO dip in oil

Joshua 3:15 – BAPTO dip in brim of water

Ruth 2:14 – BAPTO dip morsel in vinegar

2 Kings 8:15 – BAPTO dip in water

Job 9:31 – BAPTO (KJB) plunge in the ditch (Septuagint – thoroughly plunge)

Psalm 67:23 Septuagint, (KJB -- 68:23) – BAPTO dip in blood

The clearest example that shows the meaning of bapto and baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words.

Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be 'dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Well, at least, the corrupt Septuagint and Nicander knew more than some unscholarly and non intellectual Protestants. U