The Meaning of Baptism With Special Reference to the Baptist View
Rev. Angus Stewart examines the Greek word baptizein and its proper meaning in Scripture, directly engaging with Baptist claims that the term exclusively means immersion. The article defends the Reformed understanding of baptism against Baptist arguments by establishing the importance of careful biblical word study and semantic analysis.
Rev. Angus Stewart (Slightly modified from articles first published in the British Reformed Journal) (I) Introduction The Bible is the verbally inspired revelation of the Triune God of heaven and earth. Thus the meaning of its words must be carefully ascertained. Whole controversies can hinge on this. Consider Luther and the Reformation versus the Roman Church in the sixteenth century. Does the Greek word metanoein mean to do penance or to change one’s mind (with respect to sin and to God in...