by Richard Mansel

Previously, we began studying proofs that baptism means "immersion." Since Greek authorities agree that "bapto" means "to dip or immerse," the word must be used the same way in other, non-Biblical, literature. If so, coupled with the verification of Greek authorities, this further validates the fact that baptism means immersion.

Polybius, born in 205 B.C., wrote about catching a fish with a large spear, "And even if the spear fell into the sea, it is not lost, for it is compacted of both oak and pine, so that when the oaken part is immersed by the weight, the rest is buoyed up, and is easily recovered." / 1

Polybius wrote about the Roman army marching through the river Tebia, "They passed through with difficulty, the foot soldiers immersed as far as to the breast."/ 2

Josephus, born AD 37, wrote about a boy who was drowned by his companions. He said, "Continually pressing down and immersing him while swimming, as if in sport, they did not desist till they had entirely suffocated him."/ 3

Josephus, writing in another place, "And there, according to command, being immersed by the Gauls in a swimming-bath, he dies." / 4

Strabo, born in 60 B.C., wrote of Alexander's army, "... they marched the whole day in water, immersed as far as to the waist." / 5

Achilles Tatius, 450 A.D., "But suddenly the wind shifts to another quarter of the ship, and the vessel is almost immerged." / 6

Dion Cassius, 155 A.D., "And others, leaping into the sea, were drowned; or, struck by the enemy, were baptized." /7

Diodorus, wrote in about 60 - 30 B.C., "The river, rushing down with the current, increased in violence, submerged many, and destroyed them attempting to swim through with their armor." /8

It is crucial that when we read the New Testament we know what the words mean. We learned that the Jews had the Mikveh, which was done by immersion. Likewise, the Greeks understood "bapto" as immersion. Therefore, the inescapable conclusion is that they understood baptism as immersion, and when they were immersed they became "children of God" (Acts 2:38).

We must not transfer the definitions of our day back to Scripture. The Greek language had different words for sprinkling, pouring, and immersion. If the writers of the New Testament had meant one or the other they would have used the proper words (Hebrews 11:1).

God's Word does not have a controversy as to the meaning of "bapto." We need to follow suit today. Simply stated, if the word baptism meant immersion when the New Testament was written, then it is mandatory that we teach and practice the same meaning today. Otherwise, we are following men rather than God.

I can stand on the courthouse steps and claim to be the Governor until the police arrest me, but I will never be the Governor. Likewise, if baptism is immersion and I insist it is sprinkling, I can profess it the remainder of my life and it will never be so. God has already spoken (Psalm 119:89; 2 Timothy 3:16,17).

Once again, Acts 22:16 says, "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (NKJV). Realizing that my sins are "washed away" when I am baptized and baptism is immersion, I must practice baptism by immersion or I have not had my sins washed away.

Next, we will examine the final proof and show that baptism means immersion contextually in the New Testament.

/ 1. History, Book xxxiv, chapter 3,7. / 2. History, Book iii, chapter 72,4. / 3. Jewish Antiquities, book xv, ch. 3,3. / 4. Jewish Wars, book iii, ch. 8,5. / 5. Geography, book xiv, ch. 3, 9. / 6. Story of Clitophon and Leucippe, book iii, ch. 1. / 7. Roman History, book xxxvii. / 8. Historical Library, book xvi, ch. 80.

Lord God, creator of the universe, you speak and things come into being, your very glance wilts the mountains and your breath melts the glaciers.

How small my efforts seem in your sight! How little we do compared to your marvelous deeds and considering the needs of the billions of souls on this earth!

But so have you determined it shall be, that the kingdom is as a mustard seed that grows to great height.

As is your kingdom, may be our faith, the seed that grows to your glory.

For Christ came as a child to become the perfect sacrifice for all mankind. Amen.

by Don Ruhl

Timothy 1:16-18, says,

16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day--and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus (2 Tim. 1:16-18, NKJV).

I think that I know exactly what Paul experienced, and may be you have too. Therefore, let us not forget to refresh one another by cheerful greetings when we see each other, by telling one another that we are praying for each other and what it is that we are praying, and by spending time together, and by reminding one another of scriptural truths.

May God bless you and have mercy on you, even as Paul desired it for Onesiphorus, so now I desire it for you.

by Don Ruhl

In the opening verse of Second Timothy chapter 2, Paul exhorted Timothy, by saying,

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:1, NKJV).

How do we get strong in grace?

In the previous verses, Paul had spoken of how Onesiphorus had refreshed Paul by ministering to him. Paul then said, 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day (2 Tim. 1:18). Right after that is when Paul tells Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Therefore, being strong in grace comes from serving one another. Moreover, in the second chapter, Paul teaches the young preacher Timothy that he must be single-minded (verses 3-5); endure all things for the sake of the elect (verses 6-10); concentrate on the reward before him (verses 11-13); concentrate on the word of God (verses 14-19); cleanse himself of youthful lusts (verses 20-23); and have the right attitude (verses 24-26).

That is, while grace is a gift from God, we must do something to be strong in grace, even as Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, by living righteously and obeying the Lord.

by Don Ruhl

Do you not think that we can all grow in love? If your congregation shows love, can it still grow in love? What can we do to help the church increase in love? Here is what Paul did:

12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints (1 The. 3:12, 13, NKJV).

Paul prayed to the Lord that He would make the church increase and abound in love toward other members of the church and toward others. Verse 13 reveals why Paul was uttering this prayer: that by their increased love they would have hearts that were established blameless in holiness before God.

Therefore, if you think that we need to have more love, then pray to God about it. Of course, make every effort yourself to grow in love. Then we shall be holy even as the Lord is holy.