Campbellite is a mildly pejorative term referring to adherents of certain religious groups that have historic roots in the Restoration Movement , among whose most prominent 19th-century leaders were Thomas and Alexander Campbell .
81-659: Thomas and Alexander Campbell were the most prominent leaders of the Disciples of Christ movement of the early 19th century. The group was committed to restoring primitive Christianity . It merged with the Christians (Stone Movement) in 1832 to form what is now described as the American Restoration Movement (also known as the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement). Other prominent individuals in
162-498: A plurality of elders in each congregation, weekly communion and immersion for the remission of sins." Among practices he rejected as non-essential were "the holy kiss, deaconesses, communal living, footwashing and charismatic exercises." In 1827, the Mahoning Association appointed Walter Scott as an evangelist . Through Scott's efforts, the Mahoning Association grew rapidly. In 1828, Thomas Campbell visited several of
243-570: A baptism of a different Christian tradition. Baptism in Churches of Christ , which also have roots in the Restoration Movement , is performed only by bodily immersion. This is based on their understanding of the meaning of the word baptizo as used in the New Testament, a belief that it more closely conforms to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, and that historically immersion was
324-568: A baptismal font, baptistry, or outdoors in a creek or river. The mode of believer's baptism for most Anabaptists is by pouring (which is normative in Mennonite, Amish and Hutterite churches). Some, however, such as the Mennonite Brethren Church , Schwarzenau Brethren and River Brethren use immersion. The Schwarzenau Brethren , an Anabaptist denomination, teach that the ordinance "be trine immersion, that is, dipping three times forward in
405-415: A baptized believer the water of baptism as a sign of His covenant with them—that such a one indicates and publicly confesses that he wants to live in true obedience towards God and fellow believers with a blameless life." (3) Integral to believer's baptism is the candidate's mission to witness to the world even unto martyrdom , echoing Jesus' words that “they would be baptized with His baptism, witnessing to
486-558: A blueprint or constitution for the church. Thomas Campbell combined the Enlightenment approach to unity with the Reformed and Puritan traditions of restoration. The Enlightenment affected the Campbell movement in two ways. First, it provided the idea that Christian unity could be achieved by finding a set of essentials that all reasonable people could agree on. The second was the concept of
567-503: A fountain or bath-sized tank, Commenting on early church practice, other reference works speak of immersion without specifying whether it was total or partial. A recent Bible encyclopedia speaks of the "consensus of scholarly opinion" that the baptismal practice of John the Baptist and the apostles was by immersion. A standard Bible dictionary says that baptism was normally by immersion. Among other sources, Old says that immersion (though not
648-460: A handshake ( kushta - hand of truth) with the priest. The final blessing involves the priest laying his right hand on the baptized person's head. Living water (fresh, natural, flowing water) is a requirement for baptism, therefore can only take place in rivers. All rivers are named Jordan ( Yardena ) and are believed to be nourished by the World of Light . By the river bank, a Mandaean's forehead
729-603: A journal, The Christian Baptist , which promoted reform. Campbell anticipated the conflict and moved his membership to a congregation of the Mahoning Baptist Association in 1824. Alexander used The Christian Baptist to address what he saw as the key issue of reconstructing the apostolic Christian community in a systematic and rational manner. He wanted to clearly distinguish between essential and non-essential aspects of primitive Christianity. Among what he identified as essential were "congregational autonomy,
810-448: A means of hastening the millennium. Both also saw restoring the early church as a route to Christian freedom. And, both believed that unity among Christians could be achieved by using apostolic Christianity as a model. The commitment of both movements to restoring the early church and to uniting Christians was enough to motivate a union between many in the two movements. The Stone and Campbell movements merged in 1832. This
891-504: A part. The Eastern Orthodox hold that baptism has always been by immersion and it is not proper to perform baptism by way of sprinkling of water. The immersion is done three times and is referred to as "total" or "full". Modern practice may vary within the Eastern Rite; Everett Ferguson cites Lothar Heiser as acknowledging: "In the present practice of infant baptism in the Greek church
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#1732855909206972-415: A particular form of immersion baptism as "full" or "total". Still others use the term "immersion baptism" to mean a merely partial immersion by dipping the head in the water or by pouring water over the head of a person standing in a baptismal pool, and use instead for baptism that involves total immersion of the body beneath the water the term "submersion baptism". Scholars generally agree that
1053-452: A rational faith that was formulated and defended on the basis of a set of facts derived from the Bible. Alexander Campbell's millennialism was more optimistic than Stone's. He had more confidence in the potential for human progress and believed that Christians could unite to transform the world and initiate a millennial age. Campbell's conceptions were postmillennial , as he anticipated that
1134-505: A set of essentials upon which all reasonable persons might agree." The essentials he identified were those practices for which the Bible provided "a 'Thus saith the Lord,' either in express terms or by approved precedent." Unlike Locke, who saw the earlier efforts by Puritans as inherently divisive, Campbell argued for "a complete restoration of apostolic Christianity." Thomas believed that creeds served to divide Christians. He also believed that
1215-504: A symbol of the death of "the old man". Major Protestant groups in which baptism by total or partial immersion is optional, although not typical, include Anglicans , Lutherans , Presbyterians , Methodists , and the Church of the Nazarene . Mandaeans revere John the Baptist and practice frequent baptism ( masbuta ) as a ritual of purification , not of initiation. They are possibly
1296-671: Is also practiced in Syro-Malabar Church along with immersion. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church , Anabaptists ("re-baptizers") practice adult baptism, or " believer's baptism ". Anabaptists were given that name because of performing baptism on people whom others, but not the Anabaptists, considered to be already baptized. They did not accept infant baptism as true baptism. Anabaptists perform baptisms indoors in
1377-559: Is anointed with sesame oil ( misha ) and partakes in a communion of bread ( pihta ) and water. Baptism for Mandaeans allows for salvation by connecting with the World of Light and for forgiveness of sins. While some scholars consider the Five Seals mentioned in Sethian Gnostic texts, to be literary symbolism rather than an actual religious ritual, Birger A. Pearson believes that
1458-550: Is featured in Chapter IX of MacKinlay Kantor 's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel " Andersonville " (1955). Disciples of Christ (Campbell Movement) The Disciples of Christ (Campbell Movement) were a group arising during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century. The most prominent leaders were Thomas and Alexander Campbell . The group was committed to restoring primitive Christianity . It merged with
1539-418: Is not such reasoning trifling with common sense? Do not thousands go into the water and come out again without going under the water? Is it not said that Philip went into the water and came out of it as well as the eunuch? They " both " went. If then they prove that the eunuch was immersed they prove also that Philip was immersed. In the same passage the act of baptizing is distinguished from the going down into
1620-415: Is seen by some Christians as a reference not to the manner of baptism in water but to "a spiritual death, burial, resurrection, and new life". Forms of baptismal immersion differ widely between Christian groups. In the view of many, baptismal immersion can be either complete or partial, and adjectives such as "full", and "partial" serve to differentiate between immersion of the whole body or only of
1701-656: The Christian Baptist . In January 1831, he began publication of the Millennial Harbinger . The Age of Enlightenment had a significant influence on the Campbell movement. Thomas Campbell was a student of the Enlightenment philosopher John Locke . While he did not explicitly use the term "essentials," in the Declaration and Address , Campbell proposed the same solution to religious division as had been advanced earlier by Herbert and Locke: "[R]educe religion to
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#17328559092061782-692: The Christians (Stone Movement) in 1832 to form what is now described as the American Restoration Movement (also known as the Stone–Campbell Restoration Movement). The Campbell wing of the American Restoration Movement was launched when Thomas Campbell published the Declaration and Address of the Christian Association of Washington in 1809. The Presbyterian Synod had suspended his ministerial credentials. In The Declaration and Address he set forth some of his convictions about
1863-458: The Bible , also casts doubt on "the usual assumption that all NT baptisms were by immersion", stating that some early baptisteries were deep enough to stand in but not broad enough to lie down in, and mentioning that ancient representation of Christ at his baptism show him standing in waist-deep water. The immersion used by early Christians in baptizing "need not have meant full submersion in the water" and, while it may have been normal practice, it
1944-465: The Bible that would begin with those facts, arrange the ones applicable to a given topic, and then use them to draw conclusions. Alexander Campbell reflected this approach, when arguing that "the Bible is a book of facts, not of opinions, theories, abstract generalities, nor of verbal definitions." He believed that if Christians would limit themselves to the facts found in the Bible, they would necessarily come to agreement. He saw those facts as providing
2025-471: The Bible was clear enough that anyone could understand it and, thus, creeds were unnecessary. Alexander Campbell was also deeply influenced by Enlightenment thinking, in particular the Scottish School of Common Sense of Thomas Reid and Dugald Stewart . This group saw the Bible as providing concrete facts rather than abstract truths, and advocated a scientific or Baconian approach to interpreting
2106-573: The Didache does not suggest that the pouring of water was any less valid than immersion. The Jewish-Christian sect known as the Ebionites were known to immerse themselves in a ritual bath ( Hebrew : mikveh ) while they were fully clothed. Christian theologians such as John Piper use several parts of the New Testament to support full immersion (submersion) as the intended symbol: 1) The meaning of
2187-486: The Didache indicates a preference for baptizing by immersion, in "living water" (i.e., running water, seen as symbolic of life). Barclay observes that the Didache shows that baptism in the early church was by total immersion, if possible, Barton describes the immersion of the Didache as "ideally by total immersion", and Welch says it was by "complete immersion". In cases of insufficient water it permits pouring (affusion), which it differentiates from immersion, using
2268-648: The Five Seals refer to an actual ritual in which the initiate was ritually immersed in water five times. Pearson also finds many parallels between the Sethian ritual of the Five Seals and the Mandaean baptismal ritual of masbuta . Official explanations concerning baptism state: “we are baptized by being lowered under water and raised back up by a person who has authority from God to do so. This action symbolizes Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and it also represents
2349-712: The Greek word ekcheō , ("pour", in the English translation) and not baptizō ("baptize", in the English translation), but which it still considers to be a form of baptism ( baptisma ). Martin and Davids say the Didache envisages "some form of immersion", and the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church refers its readers to its entry on immersion, which it distinguishes from submersion and affusion. The Didache gives "the first explicit reference to baptism by pouring, although
2430-452: The New Testament does not exclude the possibility of this practice" Brownson says that the Didache does not state whether pouring or immersion was recommended when using running water, and Sinclair B. Ferguson argues that the only mode that the Didache mentions is affusion. Lane says that "it is probable that immersion was in fact the normal practice of baptism in the early church, but it was not regarded as an important issue", and states that
2511-514: The New Testament led the reformers to begin to practice baptism by immersion , the nearby Redstone Baptist Association invited Brush Run Church to join with them for the purpose of fellowship. The reformers agreed, provided that they would be "allowed to preach and to teach whatever they learned from the Scriptures." Thomas' son Alexander immigrated to the US to join him in 1809, and before long assumed
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2592-592: The Restoration Movement included Barton W. Stone , Walter Scott and "Raccoon" John Smith . Over time, strains grew within the Restoration Movement. In 1906, the U.S. Religious Census listed the Christian Churches and the Churches of Christ as separate and distinct groups for the first time. This, however, was simply the recognition of a division that had been growing for years, with published reports as early as 1883. The most obvious distinction between
2673-484: The Roman Catholic Church. Differentiating between immersion and affusion, McKay held that βαπτίζω referred to affusion (which McKay understood as standing in water and having water poured over the head), as opposed to immersion. Challenging immersion baptism, he wrote: Where is the evidence that the eunuch was dipped? "Why," cries the Baptist, "he went with Philip into the water and came out again." But
2754-737: The Serbian Orthodox Church or occasionally by the Russian Orthodox Church, including Patriarch Kirill of Moscow himself, out of mere practical concerns. Baptism by partial immersion, a mode of baptism that, according to the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church is still found in the Eastern Church, is also the form presented in the Key of Truth , the text described as the manual of the old Armenian Baptists, which lays down that
2835-561: The body such as the hands"). but the word is rendered "wash themselves" or "purify themselves", not "baptize themselves" or "immerse themselves", by modern English Bible translations, professional commentaries, and translation guides. For the same reason, the Liddell-Scott-Jones Greek–English Lexicon (1996) cites the other passage ( Luke 11:38 ) as an instance of the use of the word baptizo to mean "perform ablutions", not "baptize", "dip", "plunge", "immerse", and
2916-547: The church of Jesus Christ, as he organized the Christian Association of Washington , in Washington County, Pennsylvania , not as a church but as an association of persons seeking to grow in faith. On May 4, 1811, the Christian Association constituted itself as a congregationally governed church. With the building it constructed at Brush Run, Pennsylvania , it became known as Brush Run Church . When their study of
2997-509: The congregations formed by Scott and heard him preach. Campbell believed that Scott was bringing an important new dimension to the movement with his approach to evangelism . Several Baptist associations began disassociating congregations that refused to subscribe to the Philadelphia Confession . The Mahoning Association came under attack. In 1830, The Mahoning Baptist Association disbanded. The younger Campbell ceased publication of
3078-502: The dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." Others hold that there is no evidence in the New Testament that any one mode of baptism was used. As criticism of the claim that, in Acts 8:38–39 , which is the only reference in the New Testament to Christian baptism being administered in the open, the actions of "going down into the water" and "coming up out of
3159-453: The difference of countries." Modern, professional lexicography defines βαπτίζω as dip, plunge or immerse, while giving examples of its use for merely partial immersion. Mark 7:3–4 and Luke 11:38 are two instances of New Testament uses of the verb baptizo outside the context of Christian baptism. One speaks of how the Pharisees do not eat unless they "wash their hands" thoroughly ( nipto ,
3240-418: The earliest people to practice baptism. Mandaeans undergo baptism on Sundays ( Habshaba ), wearing a white sacral robe ( rasta ). Baptism for Mandaeans consists of a triple full immersion in water, a triple signing of the forehead with water and a triple drinking of water. The priest ( rabbi ) then removes a ring made of myrtle worn by the baptized and places it on their forehead. This is then followed by
3321-466: The early centuries shows that baptism was sometimes administered by submersion or immersion… but also by affusion from a vessel when water was poured on the candidate's head…" The Cambridge History of Christianity (2006) also concludes from the archaeological evidence that pouring water three times over the head was a frequent arrangement. Robin Jensen writes: "Historians have sometimes assumed that baptism
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3402-417: The early church baptized by immersion. It also used other forms. Immersion was probably the norm, but at various times and places immersion, whether full or partial, and also affusion were probably in use. Baptism of the sick or dying was usually by means other than even partial immersion and was still considered valid. Some writers speak of early Christians baptizing by total immersion (i.e., submerging
3483-528: The end of our old lives and beginning a new life as His disciples.” Doctrine and Covenants 20:72-74 ) gives the authoritative declaration on mode: 72 Baptism is to be administered in the following manner unto all those who repent– 73 The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in
3564-517: The immersion is total or partial, but very commonly with the indication that the person baptized is immersed in water completely. The term is also, though less commonly, applied exclusively to modes of baptism that involve only partial immersion (see Terminology, below). Baptism by immersion is understood by some to imply submersion of the whole body beneath the surface of the water. Others speak of baptismal immersion as either complete or partial, and do not find it tautologous to describe
3645-468: The kind that submersion involves. In fact, in the same chapter 8 of the Acts of the Apostles , the preposition εἰς appears 11 times, but only once is it commonly translated as "into"; in the other verses in which it appears it is best translated as "to". The same ambiguity pertains to the preposition ἐκ. John Calvin (1509–1564) wrote that "it is evident that the term baptise means to immerse, and that this
3726-701: The leading role in the movement. The Campbells worked within the Redstone Baptist Association during the period 1815 through 1824. While both the Campbells and the Baptists shared practices of baptism by immersion and congregational polity , it was soon clear that he and his associates were not traditional Baptists. Within the Redstone Association, some of the Baptist leaders considered the differences intolerable when Alexander Campbell began publishing
3807-494: The literary and pictorial evidence to indicate total immersion. Jean-Charles Picard (1989), reaches the same conclusion, and so does Malka Ben Pechat (1989). The study by Everett Ferguson (2009) supports the view of La Sor, Heiser, Picard, and Pechat. Frank K. Flinn also says that the immersion was total, saying that the preference of the Early Church was total immersion in a stream or the sea or, if these were not available, in
3888-609: The mode used in the 1st century, and that pouring and sprinkling later emerged as secondary modes when immersion was not possible. Pentecostalism , which emerged around 1906, practice the believer's baptism by full-immersion. Seventh-day Adventists believe that "baptism symbolizes dying to self and coming alive in Jesus." Seventh-day Adventists teach that it symbolizes and declares a member's new faith in Christ and trust in His forgiveness. Buried in
3969-668: The name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… If you do not have running water, baptize in some other. If you cannot in cold, then in warm. If you have neither, then pour water on the head three times in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Before the baptism, moreover, the one who baptizes and the one being baptized must fast, and any others who can. And you must tell the one being baptized to fast for one or two days beforehand. Commentaries, including those that distinguish immersion from submersion, typically understand that
4050-631: The name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." The three plunges in the forward position, for each person of the Holy Trinity, also represent the "three days of Christ's burial." Immersion baptism is done falling forward by the Schwarzenau Brethren because "the Bible says Jesus bowed his head (letting it fall forward) and died. Baptism represents a dying of the old, sinful self." Conservative Mennonite Anabaptists count baptism to be one of
4131-478: The news of the union to all the churches: John Rogers, for the Christians and "Raccoon" John Smith for the reformers. Despite some challenges, the merger succeeded. Many believed the union held great promise for the future success of the combined movement, and greeted the news enthusiastically. With the merger, there was the challenge of what to call the new movement. Clearly, finding a Biblical, non-sectarian name
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#17328559092064212-489: The only form), was normally used, Grimes says "There is little doubt that early Christian baptism was adult baptism by immersion.", Howard Marshall says that immersion was the general rule, but affusion and even sprinkling were also practiced, since "archaeological evidence supports the view that in some areas Christian baptism was administered by affusion". His presentation of this view has been described by Porter and Cross as "a compelling argument". Laurie Guy says immersion
4293-448: The ordinary word for washing something), and, after coming from the market place, do not eat unless they "wash themselves" (literally, "baptize themselves", passive or middle voice of baptizo ). The other tells how a Pharisee, at whose house Jesus ate, "was astonished to see that he did not first "wash himself" (literally, "baptize himself", aorist passive of baptizo ) before dinner". Some commentaries claim that these two passages show that
4374-399: The person being baptized), or say only that total immersion was preferred. Others speak of early Christians as baptizing either by submersion or by immersion, but also by affusion. In one form of early Christian baptism, the candidate stood in water and water was poured over the upper body, and the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church says that at least from the 2nd century baptism
4455-436: The person is placed in water as normative; only in exceptional circumstances, such as if a child is in imminent danger of death, may they baptize by affusion or, since there is always some moisture in air, perform "air baptism". However, this radical stance appears to be nowadays increasingly nuanced in practice in several Orthodox Churches, with baptisms by pouring outside of any emergency carried out routinely for example in
4536-465: The person to be baptized "shall come on his knees into the midst of the water" and there make a profession of faith to "the elect one", who "instantly takes the water into his hands, and ... shall directly or indirectly empty out the water over the head". The Saint Thomas Christians , who trace their origin to Thomas the Apostle , used to practise immersion baptism in baptismal font . Presently, pouring
4617-415: The priest holds the child as far under the water as possible and scoops water over the head so as to be fully covered with water", and the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church states that the rite "whereby part of the candidate's body was submerged in the baptismal water which was poured over the remainder ... is still found in the Eastern Church". Eastern Orthodox consider the form of baptism in which
4698-449: The progress of the church and society would lead to an age of peace and righteousness before the return of Christ . This optimistic approach meant that, in addition to his commitment to primitivism, he had a progressive strand in his thinking. Those following the Campbells were called "Reforming Baptists" because of the associations with the Baptist at the beginning of the movement; this
4779-459: The seven ordinances. In Anabaptist theology , baptism is a part of the process of salvation. For Anabaptists, "believer's baptism consists of three parts, the Spirit, the water, and the blood—these three witnesses on earth." According to Anabaptist theology : (1) In believer's baptism, the Holy Spirit witnesses the candidate entering into a covenant with God. (2) God, in believer's baptism, "grants
4860-441: The standard lexicon of Bauer and Danker treats it as an instance of a derived meaning, "wash ceremonially for the purpose of purification", distinct from the basic meaning ("immerse") of the verb baptizo , in line with the view that Luke 11:38 cannot refer to a total immersion of the person. References to the cleaning of vessels which use baptizo also refer to immersion. The burial symbolism of Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12
4941-536: The term Campbellite inappropriate, saying that they are followers of Jesus , not Campbell. They draw parallels with Martin Luther 's protest of the name Lutherans and the Anabaptists ' protest of the name given to them by their enemies. With specific reference to the early Restoration Movement, "[t]he terms Campbellism and Campbellites were universally rejected by those to whom they were applied." A Campbellite family
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#17328559092065022-504: The two groups was the rejection of musical instruments in the Churches of Christ. The controversy over musical instruments began in 1860 with the introduction of organs in some churches. More basic were differences in the underlying approach to Biblical interpretation. For the Churches of Christ, any practices not present in accounts of New Testament worship were not permissible in the church, and they could find no New Testament documentation of
5103-532: The use of instrumental music in worship. For the Christian Churches, any practices not expressly forbidden could be considered. The major groups with historical roots in the movement are: The term Campbellite is most often applied to the more conservative branches of the movement, including the Churches of Christ and the Christian churches and churches of Christ . Members of these groups generally consider
5184-425: The water" indicate that this baptism was by immersion, it is pointed out that "going down into" and "coming up out of" a river or a store of still water, actions there ascribed to both the baptizer and the baptized, do not necessarily involve immersion in the water. In the nineteenth century, anti-immersionist Rev. W. A. McKay wrote a polemic work against immersion baptism, arguing that it was a theological invention of
5265-458: The water"). 3) Immersion fits the symbolism of being buried with Christ ( Romans 6:1–4 ; Colossians 2:12 ). Piper asserts that baptism refers to the physical lowering into the water and rising in faith in part because of the reflection of this symbol in Colossians 2:12 which says "having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from
5346-431: The water, but adds: "Nevertheless, we conclude that of the three modes immersion carries the strongest case – exegetically, historically, and theologically. Therefore, under normal circumstances it ought to be the preferred, even the sole, practice of the church." Most scholars agree that immersion was the practice of the New Testament church. The Oxford Dictionary of the Bible (2004) says "Archaeological evidence from
5427-430: The water, the member arises to a new life in Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Adventists practice full immersion baptism. In full immersion, baptism is representative of a death to self and a rise into new life in Christ and a cleansing from sin. It is a public declaration of a changed life, a relationship with Jesus, and a desire to follow Him fully. Sabbath Rest Adventists adhere to full immersion in baptism as
5508-406: The water: "They both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water…" As McKay and others also pointed out, the Greek preposition εἰς, here translated as "into", is the same as is used when Peter is told to go to the sea and take the first fish that came up ( Matthew 17:27 ) and in other passages where it obviously did not imply entry of
5589-618: The whole body must be immersed, not just the head. Baptism, they believe, does not accomplish anything in itself, but is an outward personal sign or testimony that the person's sins have already been washed away by the blood of Christ shed on the cross. It is considered a covenantal act, signifying entrance into the New Covenant of Christ. Baptism by submersion is practised by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) , but most of them do not suggest rebaptism of those who have undergone
5670-452: The word baptizo in Greek is essentially "dip" or "immerse," not sprinkle, 2) The descriptions of baptisms in the New Testament suggest that people went down into the water to be immersed rather than having water brought to them in a container to be poured or sprinkled ( Matthew 3:6 , "in the Jordan;" 3:16, "he went up out of the water;" John 3:23 , "much water there;" Acts 8:38 , "went down into
5751-408: The word baptizo in the New Testament cannot be assumed to have the meaning "immerse". In the first of the two passages, it is actually the hands that are specifically identified as "washed" ( Mark 7:3 ), not the entire persons, who are described as having (literally) "baptized themselves" – Mark 7:4–5 ). Zodhiates identifies the meaning of baptizo here as 'immerse', even if not totally ("wash part of
5832-415: The world when their blood was spilt.” Immersion baptism, understood as demanding total submersion of the body, is required by Baptists (although this was not the case before 1641), as enunciated in the 1689 Baptist Catechism : "Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the person in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit", indicating that
5913-458: Was administered by a method "whereby part of the candidate's body was submerged in the baptismal water which was poured over the remainder". William Sanford La Sor , Lothar Heiser, Jean-Charles Picard, Malka Ben Pechat, and Everett Ferguson agree that early Christian baptism was normally by total immersion. Sanford La Sor (1987) considers it likely that the archaeological evidence favours total immersion. Lothar Heiser (1986), likewise understands
5994-548: Was formalized at the High Street Meeting House in Lexington, Kentucky with a handshake between Barton W. Stone and "Raccoon" John Smith . Smith had been chosen, by those present, to speak in behalf of the followers of the Campbells. A preliminary meeting of the two groups was held in late December 1831, culminating with the merger on January 1, 1832. Two representatives of those assembled were appointed to carry
6075-492: Was important. Stone wanted to continue to use the name "Christians." Alexander Campbell insisted upon "Disciples of Christ". As a result, both names were used. The confusion over names has been present ever since. Immersion baptism Immersion baptism (also known as baptism by immersion or baptism by submersion ) is a method of baptism that is distinguished from baptism by affusion (pouring) and by aspersion (sprinkling), sometimes without specifying whether
6156-479: Was not seen as a necessary mode of baptism, so that other modes also may have been used. Submersion, as opposed to partial immersion, may even have been a minority practice in early Christianity. The Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles , an anonymous book of 16 short chapters, is probably the earliest known written instructions, outside of the Bible, for administering baptism. The first version of it
6237-425: Was probably the norm, but that at various times and places full immersion, partial immersion and affusion were probably in use. Tischler says that total immersion seems to have been most commonly used. Stander and Louw argue that immersion was the prevailing practice of the Early Church. Grenz says that the New Testament does not state specifically what action the baptizer did to the person baptized, when both were in
6318-543: Was sometimes shortened to "Reformers." "Disciples" was the name Alexander Campbell preferred. Opponents of the movement nicknamed them " Campbellites ." The Campbell movement was characterized by a "systematic and rational reconstruction" of the early church, in contrast to the Stone movement which was characterized by radical freedom and lack of dogma. Despite their differences, the two movements agreed on several critical issues. Both saw restoring apostolic Christianity as
6399-534: Was the form used by the primitive Church", but in the same context ( Institutes of the Christian Religion IV, xv, 19), using the same verb "immerse", but indicating that it does not necessarily mean immersing "wholly", he also wrote: "Whether the person who is baptised be wholly immersed, and whether thrice or once, or whether water be only poured or sprinkled upon him, is of no importance; Churches ought to be left at liberty in this respect, to act according to
6480-471: Was usually accomplished by full immersion – or submersion – of the body (dunking). However, the archaeological and iconographic evidence is ambiguous on this point. Many – if not most – surviving baptismal fonts are too shallow to have allowed submersion. In addition, a significant number of depictions show baptismal water being poured over the candidate's head (affusion), either from a waterfall, an orb or some kind of liturgical vessel." Eerdman's Dictionary of
6561-461: Was written c. 60–80 AD . The second, with insertions and additions, was written c. 100–150 AD . This work, rediscovered in the 19th century, provides a unique look at Christianity in the Apostolic Age. Its instructions on baptism are as follows: Now about baptism: this is how to baptize. Give public instruction on all these points, and then baptize in running water, in
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