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

cloud and in the sea, who, nevertheless, were not immersed into the sea,
nor dipped into the cloud. Wherefore, Paul, a most safe interpreter, says
that to baptize is the same as to purify or cleanse by the laver of water in
the Word, Eph. v. 26. Whether, therefore, the water be used by merging,
dipping, pouring, or sprinkling, there is a baptizing. And even the washing
of hands, couches, and cups, in which water was employed, whether by
merging, dipping, or pouring, Mark vii. 4, is called Baptism. Nor in the
Baptism instituted by Christ, is there needed such a rubbing of the body
with water as is needed to remove the filth of the flesh, 1 Pet. iii. 21. Since,
therefore, our Lord has not prescribed a fixed mode of employing the
water, there is no change in the substantials of Baptism, though in different
Churches the water is employed in different modes."
FLACIUS ILLYRICUS: 345 "Baptizo, by metalepsis, signifies, to
wash, bathe (abluo, lavo). Hence, Mark vii. 4, says: 'The Jews have various
Baptisms (i. e. washings) of cups and pots;' and 1 Peter iii. 21, says: 'Our
Baptism is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh.' Heb. vi. 2, the
word Baptism refers to the purifications and washings under the old
dispensation."
STEPHEN GERLACH 346 says: “Herein Baptism is analogous to
circumcision, which, though local, yet availed, by its internal action, to
render the entire person acceptable to God. Thus the laver of regeneration
and renewal is most efficacious, whether the person baptized be entirely
merged, or dipped, or some portion only of the body be sprinkled, only so
that he be baptized with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost."
GERHARD: 347 "Baptismos and Baptizein are employed to
designate any kind of ablution, whether it be done by sprinkling, pouring,
or dipping."
QUENSTEDT: "Baptism, in general, signifies washing, or ablution,
whether it be done by sprinkling, pouring, dipping, or immersion."
Internal efficacy of Baptism. “Born of water and of the Spirit.”
1. The Context.
The question of the outward mode in Baptism, is far less
345 Clavis, S. S.
346 On Matt. xxviii. 19, in Osiander.
347 Loci. Ed. Cotta ix. 68.