Lesson 656

(Lesson 656)(05-04-13) Today begins our study into the origin of the term baptize and its grammatical variations (baptized, baptism, baptizing). It behooves us to know that "baptize" is a term that was transliterated from the Greek "baptizo", and its grammatical variations (baptismo and baptisma).

First let us first establish the difference between transliteration and translation.

When a word is translated from one language to another, the word being translated is replaced in the new language with a word that provides the exact same definition and application intent as the word in the original language. However, when a word is "transliterated", it is simply replaced with a made up, sound-alike word that neither defines the original word, nor expresses its intent when used in conversation.

The word baptize, as it is applied in the New testament, is a sound alike word that was created simply to replace the word baptizo, it was never intended to define its intent.

The original definition of the Greek word "baptizo" is to immerse, dip, submerge, enwrap, enclose within, bury into, surround by, engulf in, take on (anything) as a complete cover, etc etc. It simply means to place one thing completely into another for the purpose of altering the item being baptizoed (immersed). One can be baptizoed into many things, such as water, death, fire, The Holy Ghost, a concept, etc, as is very clearly indicated in the New Testament.

Therefore, the word baptize should be defined in English exactly as the Greeks defined baptizo.

This clarification should be carefully noted as we continue into this study.~

Tomorrow we will determine the origin of both Jewish and Christian baptism.