baptism, baptisme, bapteme, baptym

[In Fr. baptême; O. Fr. & Prov. baptisme; Sp. bautismo; Port, baptismo; Ital. battesimo; Lat. baptism a; Gr. βάπτισμα (baptism a) and βαπτισμός ( baptismos ); from βαπτίζω ( baptizō )=... to baptize.] [BAPTIZE.] A. Literally: I. The act of baptizing any person or thing in or with water. 1. The act of immersing any one in water, or pouring or sprinkling it upon him or her as a religious and symbolical rite. "Baptym: Baptism us, baptism a."-Prompt. Parv. Two kinds of baptism by means of water are mentioned in the New Testament: (a) "The baptism of repentance for the remi ion of sins," administered by John the Baptist in Jordan to those who, under the influence of his preaching, made confe ion of those sins. "John did baptize in the wilderne , and preach the baptism of repentance for the remi ion of sins."Mark 1. 4. (See also Matt. iii. 6.) (b) The initiatory rite of the Christian Church, administered first by the apostles (John iv. 2) whilst their Divine Master was on earth, and which has continued to be dispensed to the present time. 2. The act of "baptizing" a thing instead of a person with water. The washing of a ship with salt water on pa ing the equinoctial line was formerly called in cant and somewhat profane language "her baptism." 3. A term employed by Protestant, not by Roman Catholic, writers for the ble ing of bells designed for worship in the Church of Rome. [BAPTIZE, A., 1. 2.] IL. The state of being baptized. B. Figuratively: L. Scripture : 1. The doctrine, allegiance, or life into which the initiatory rite introduces one. "And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Acts xix. 3. 2. Death to sin and resurrection to newne of life. "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newne of life. "- Rom . vi. 4. 3. Such a moral and spiritual state as warrants the answer of a good conscience towards God. "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God),."-1 Pet . iii. 21. 4. Suffering, specially that of Christ. "But I have a bap'ism to be haptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!"- Luke xii. 50. II. General Literature : 1. The act or proce of refreshing the heart by "sprinkling" it with something fitted to effect that end. "If on the heart the freshne of the scene Sprinkle its coolne , and from the dry dust Of weary life a moment lave it clean With Nature's baptism , Byron: Childe Harold , ix. 68. 2. Initiation into any work or occupation fitted to make a change upon the character, and prevent the po ibility of one's ever being again what he was before. Thus, when during the Franco-German war of 1870, Prince Louis Napoleon, the same who perished so tragically in Zululand, was first exposed, by direction of his father, Napoleon III., and with his own consent, to the fire of the enemy at Saarbrück, the event was called a "baptisın of fire." So also during the Indian mutinies of 1857, the revolted sepoys, who had by murdering Europe ans committed themselves to a course of action from which there was no return, were said to have undergone a "baptism of blood." Formerly, the term baptism was also sometimes profanely applied in cant language to the outrageous practical jokes to which seamen or pa engers in a ve el, who for the first time cro ed the equinoctial line, were too frequently subjected, such procedure being deemed legitimate in that zero of latitude. IMG:content-1047.png:[blocks in formation] (4) Clinical baptism : Theol.: Baptism administered to a person on a sick-bed. (5) Conditional baptism : Theol. Baptism administered conditionally to a person whose condition is unknown or about the validity of whose baptism doubts are entertained. The form is: "If thou art not baptized, I baptize thee," . bắp-tis-mal, a. [Eng. baptism; -al.] Pertaining to baptism. "The baptismal service was repeatedly discu ed."Macaulay: Hist . Eng ., ch. xiv.