Chapter 5.0 OBSERVATIONS

5.1. Comments on Hodges work:

5.1.1. Triune Baptism is One Baptism

With this we would agree. For, as the exegesis has clearly shown, the baptism Jesus commanded was a baptism INTO a SINGLE NAME. Even though that Name represents three persons, it is still into a single name that we a baptizing.

5.1.2. Historical Testimony in Question

As for the historical testimony, a study of the early church fathers would be needed to confirm this. The evidence that we do have from scripture, however, does not lend any thought towards a triple immersion. Any evidence, therefore, gleaned from the early church fathers would be suspect if it contradicted, or at least did not conform to and support the evidence in scripture.

5.1.3. Triune Immersion Reflects Who God is

Since we are created in the image of God, all that we do should reflect that original nature and essence as faithfully as possible. To the extent that triune immersion is viewed as a picture, which by which we can reflects who God is, we would tentatively endorse. However, finding justification for that from Matt 28:19, we find very weak, and non-existent if you perform a basic exegesis of the Greek text.

Further, if one says that triune immersion reflects who God is, one needs to determine what exactly it is that you are reflecting of God. The primary essence of three in the Trinity is the essence of “three persons.” But, as has been shown from the exegesis of the Greek text, there is little evidence for this being the focus of baptism. Rather, the focus is being baptized INTO THE (Single) NAME which the three persons of the Trinity, that Name of which They share undivided possession.

Consequently, we would like to accept a triune baptism which represents the three person of the Trinity, but evidence for that can’t be found in a proper exegesis of the Greek text of Matt 28:19. Further, it is doubtful that evidence can be found in a wider search of scripture dealing with baptism.

As a result, we are left with virtually saying triune immersion is a nice picture that man has developed to reflect the three persons of the Trinity, but properly interpreted scriptural evidence to support this practice is virtually non-existent in the scripture.

5.1.4. The argument from Greek Grammar—missing words support triune immersion.

Hodge attempts to make the case that missing words (ellipses) in the Greek text, when properly supplied, support triune immersion as a mode of baptism.

Although we would agree that Greek does have “missing” words that can/need to be supplied in the English translation, there are no “missing” words here that alter the basic thrust of the intent of baptism. The focus of baptism here remains the Name, and not the mode. Consequently we do not find the Greek text supporting the assertions Hodge makes that triune immersion is supported by the Greek text.