Acts 7:38

38. Down The opposite of up in the next verse. And as this up describes the ascending the bank, so the down most properly describes (not the alighting from the chariot but) the walking adown the bank.

Into The Greek εις , into, signifies prevalently, but not universally, into, and not merely to. Here it is opposed to out of in the next verse. The Greek for out of, εκ , prevalently but not universally signifies out from, and not merely from, which is usually expressed by απο . Taking the correspondent force of both prepositions as they stand here, it ought to be conceded that an entrance of both Philip and the eunuch into the water most probably took place.

Even without the force of these prepositions, and in whatever mode the baptism was performed, the parties would naturally step into the water’s edge. A native of a southern clime, passing an arid desert, wearing nothing but light sandals, uninfluenced by a northerner’s fear of spoiling the polish of his boots, would step into the water even for the natural agreeableness.

Baptized Performed that rite which images forth the “sprinkling of many nations.” (See note on Acts 7:36.) Immersion fails to be the type of the antitype, the shedding forth of God’s regenerating Spirit.

The main support, we think, of the practice of immersion is derived not from Scripture practice, but, 1, from the pagan meaning of the word βαπτιζω ; and, 2, from ecclesiastical tradition.

1 . The sense of βαπτιζω in pagan authors denotes in some cases the descent of water on the subject.

2 . Even if the pagan use of the word meant solely plunge, that decides not the New Testament meaning. Nearly every term borrowed from classic Greek to express a Christian use changes its force. The word εκκλησια , church, signifies a political town-meeting; the word δειπνον , supper, would require the Lord’s Supper to be always performed at evening.

3 . Early Christian practice favours immersion; but the earliest ecclesiastical practice requires self-immersion, naked, thrice performed.