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NASB | Acts 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:41 So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers]. |
Subject: Who should baptize? |
Bible Note: Hi John, Sorry for the delay in replying, I am pretty busy at the moment. My lack of responses and brevity doesn't reflect a lack of interest. I think etymologically the idea of immersion is prominent. The word in its various forms comes from "bapto" to "dip". Hence the thought of dipping. If it had been merely sprinkling why does it say in scripture in John 3v23 "John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there," I.e. he needed a quite a bit to dip them in. So both Philip and the Eunich went into the water and Philip baptised him, i.e. dipped him under. The doctrinal picture implied in baptism is not only a picture of sins washed away but of me (the sinner) buried out of sight so that I can now walk in newness of life. (Read Romans 6v1-8) In the Colossian passage reference to baptism it isn't the burial which is emphasized but the emergence from the tomb. (Col 2v12) A picture, I take it, of us, as believers risen with Christ and sharing His resurrection life. As W.E Vine (Exp. Words) sucsinctly puts it: " "baptism" to be undergone by believers, thus witnessing to their identification with Him in death, burial and resurrection, e.g., Acts_19:5; Rom_6:3,4; 1_Cor_1:13-17; 1_Cor_12:13; Gal_3:27; Col_2:12." I find nowhere in the NT which suggests a mere sprinkling. As for extremes mentioned, Eskimo in winter and Nomad in desert, I think the Lord would understand if they waited until water was available. There is much truth connected with baptism. It is a pictorial and symbolic picture - but of deep and meaningful spiritual truth. Hope that clarifies Andrew |