Springfield, Cambridge, Sep. 23, '98.

Rev. John T. Christian,

31 Bernard St., Russell Square,

London, W. C.

Dear Sir: -

l. The ordinary meaning of baptizo in classical Greek is, as you may see in Liddell &, Scott's Lexicon, to "dip," "to put under water." The root of the verb baph is probably akin to bath, the root of bathus, "deep," bathos, "depth." The idea of submersion is thus inherent in it.

2. I do not know whether there is any "authoritative Greek-English lexicon" which makes the word mean "sprinkle" or "pour." I can only say that such a meaning never belongs to the word in classical Greek.

Yours faithfully,



R. C. JEBB.

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Baptist History Vindicated

Appendix II

III. Bishops and other prominent preachers of the Church of England on the meaning of baptizo.