An individual once asked, “Can you please explain the root meaning of the word ‘baptize’ as it is used in the New Testament?”
The original meaning comes from the root form of the Greek word “bapto” which literally means “to immerse, dip.”
Throughout religious history, various denominations have argued that the mode of baptism is of no consequence — that one can be baptized by one of three methods: (1) Sprinkling – Grk. “rhantizo“; (2) Pouring – Grk. “epicheo“; or (3) Immersion – Grk. “bapto.” They also have argued that the word “baptize” is a general term that may employ any of the above procedures. As one can plainly see, the three above words represent entirely different actions — not similar in nature.
However, in the New Testament, the phrase “to baptize,” is primarily a form of bapto, “to dip” or “immerse” and was used among the Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another (see Vine’s Expository Dictionary – B1).
It is sad to note that the translators of the New Testament knew the original meaning of the Greek word “bapto” but chose to resort to the transliteration of this term in order to deliberately conceal the meaning of the original term from their denominational friends — the King James translators being among that group.
Thus the word “baptize” in the New Testament should be properly translated “dip” or “immerse” — never sprinkling or pouring.
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
Related Articles:
The original meaning comes from the root form of the Greek word “bapto” which literally means “to immerse, dip.”Throughout religious history, various denominations have argued that the mode of baptism is of no consequence — that one can be baptized by one of three methods: (1) Sprinkling – Grk. “rhantizo“; (2) Pouring – Grk. “epicheo“; or (3) Immersion – Grk. “bapto.” They also have argued that the word “baptize” is a general term that may employ any of the above procedures. As one can plainly see, the three above words represent entirely different actions — not similar in nature.
However, in the New Testament, the phrase “to baptize,” is primarily a form of bapto, “to dip” or “immerse” and was used among the Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another (see Vine’s Expository Dictionary – B1).
It is sad to note that the translators of the New Testament knew the original meaning of the Greek word “bapto” but chose to resort to the transliteration of this term in order to deliberately conceal the meaning of the original term from their denominational friends — the King James translators being among that group.
Thus the word “baptize” in the New Testament should be properly translated “dip” or “immerse” — never sprinkling or pouring.
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
Related Articles:
Comments
Post a Comment