Page:Short illustration of the commission given by Jesus Christ to his apostles.pdf/4

 error on that subject would be avoided. An idea has been entertained that the ordinances of Jesus Christ have succeeded certain Jewish observances and an analogy or resemblance has been traced betwixt Circumcision and Baptism; but while the, the , and the of the former have been clearly understood, these circumstances as to the latter have been totally misapprehended. In reading the institution of Baptism by our Lord, we find it to be no less distinct than that of Circumcision: the are expressly pointed out to be "those who believe the gospel:" the  of its being attended to,—; while the, or manner of attending to it, is described by the name of the ordinance. We shall in the first place consider, what is the or  of Baptism.

is a Greek word, which the translators of the Bible have only given an English form, but not translated. It properly signifies to, or ; and that in distinction from every other mode of , as well as from , or , which are expressed, in the original, by other words: and that such is its meaning is evident from the examples recorded. Jesus, having been baptized in Jordan, "went up out of the water," which shows he had been into it. Philip and the eunuch had already come unto a certain water, we are told, "they went both down into the water," that he might baptize him; and when this was performed, "they came up out of the water."