The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology - Saint Mary ...

THE WASHING OF WATER by the Word, that He may present it to
Himself a glorious Church."
11. HEB. x. 22. "Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance
of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our
BODIES WASHED WITH PURE WATER."
On this verse Alford remarks: “There can be no reasonable doubt
that this clause refers directly to Christian baptism. The 'washing of water,'
Eph. v. 26, and 'the washing of regeneration,' Titus iii. 5, and the express
mention of 'our bodies' here, as distinguished from 'our hearts,' stamps this
interpretation with CERTAINTY,... for 'our bodies' confines the reference
to an outward act. And so Theophylact, Theodoret, OEcumenius, etc.,
Böhme, Kuinoel, Tholuck, De Wette, Bleek, Lünemann, Delitzsch, and the
majority of commentators. Still, in maintaining the externality of the
words, as referring, and referring solely to Baptism, we must remember that
BAPTISM ITSELF IS NOT a mere external rite, but at every mention of
it carries the thought further, to wit, to that spiritual washing of which it is
itself symbolical and sacramental."
According to DELITZSCH, "THE WASHING THE BODY WITH
PURE WATER is purely sacramental, the effect of baptism taken in its
whole blessed meaning and fulfilment as regards our natural existence. As
priests we are sprinkled, as priests we are bathed...washed in holy
Baptism."
12. 1 JOHN V. 6-8. "This is He that came by WATER and blood,
EVEN Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by WATER and blood. And
there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, the water, and the
blood: and these three agree in one."
13. 1 COR. vi. 11. "But ye are WASHED, but ye are sanctified, but
ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and BY the Spirit of our
God." 14. TITUS III. 5. "Not by works of righteousness which we have
done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the WASHING OF
REGENERATION, AND RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST,
which He shed on us abundantly."
ALFORD says: "Observe that here is no figure: the words are literal:
Baptism is taken as in all its completion, the outward,