Meaning and Mode of Baptism

by Jay E. Adams

Explores the pros and cons of immersion and timing of baptism from a biblical standpoint.

Genres: Theology, Ecclesiology

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Jay Edward Adams is a Reformed Christian author. He has written over 100 books and these have been published in sixteen languages.
He received a Bachelor of Divinity from Reformed Episcopal Seminary, a Bachelor of Arts in Classics from Johns Hopkins University,a Masters in Sacred Theology from Temple University, and a PhD in Speech from the University of Missouri.
Adams' book Competent to Counsel launched the nouthetic counseling movement, a movement whose aim was to use strictly biblical counseling methods. He is the founder of the Intitute for Nothetic Studies.

Reviews

[Jaran]

Somebody recommended this book to me, so I read it.

It's an aggressive polemic, intended to take down things that baptists say about the mode and meaning of baptism. The book would have been rhetorically coherent if Adams had used more exclamation points and all caps in the main text rather than only in footnotes and block quotes.

The tone is extremely distracting, but Adams gave me some things to ponder, primarily the relationship between Christian baptism and various washings and sprinklings of the Law.

I suspect that Adams' would be more persuasive if he spent time examining background assumptions about the role of linguists, contextualizing culture, syncretism, and the Old Testament before leaping into the meaning of βαπτίζω and adjacent minutia.

[Jacob London · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good, although short, book on the subject of the mode of baptism. Adams doesn't discuss who are the right recipients of it, only how it is to be administered. He falls squarely into the sprinkling/pouring camp. In Jay Adams bombastic style he exegetes the classic immersionist passages and shows the reader how they in no way advance the case for complete immersion and that often the baptist camp relies more on history to substantiate their claims rather then scripture.

Particularly, I like the fact that the author puts much emphasis on the mode of baptism at a time when most Reformed/Presbyterian say the mode doesn't matter. He may have convinced me of this, I will have to consider it more.

[Levi Liberda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Jacob Fisher · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jay Adams’ understanding of the priesthood of Christ is entirely contradictory to the book of Hebrews concerning his ordination, and his presuppositions overturn the proper understanding of Greek grammar.

[Andrew Hoy]

The title sums the book up: this is a short book on the meaning of baptism, with special attention to the mode. As a Presbyterian, the author is arguing for sprinkling/pouring (rather than immersion). The great strength of this book is the serious and impressive exegetical work of the author (especially impressive given the brevity of the book). I highly recommend for anyone wanting to hear serious, Biblical arguments in defense of sprinkling/pouring.

Here are some of my reading notes if you are interested in getting an idea of some of the issues addressed in this book:

Term Defined. While many Baptists will insist that the word "baptize" exclusively meant "immerse" in antiquity, Adam's quotes J.W. Dale's work "Classic Baptism" which argues the following: "Though the word possibly can mean "immerse," he has clearly demonstrated that this is not usually true and certainly not the basic meaning of the term." (Dale has completed an impressive amount of work on the subject. I don't own Classic Baptism, but I do own his three follow up volumes, Judaic Baptism, Christic Baptism, and Patristic Baptism.]

John's baptism -- prophesies. Referencing John 1:25, where the Pharisee's accuse John of not having the right to baptize since he is "neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet", Adam's points out that the Pharisees are assuming that there are Old Testament prophesies of one who will baptize. However, if one looks for Scriptures where this is the case, they will be hard pressed to find one. However, there are plety of references to sprinkling (Is. 52:15) and cleaning (Ezek. 36:25). Adams then goes on to say, "Here it is sufficient to note that the Old Testament Jew not only knew about but expected baptizing activities in connection with the coming Messiah."

Baptism a conversion ritual for Jews? Adams quotes John Scott Johnson who insists that there is no substantial evidence that this was the case, at least prior to Christ. Adams later goes on to say that even if this was the case, there was no Biblical support for it, so it should not be used as the basis for much thought on the topic. (I.e. if they had embraced an extra-biblical practice, who is to say that their practice should be used as any sort of standard for what the Bible actually does teach?)

"Baptismos" in Heb. 9. Adam's provides a helpful exegetical word study of the word "baptismos" in Hebrews 9:10 (translated "ceremonial washings" NIV; "washings" ESV and NKJV). He shows that within chapter 9 three different "washings" from the OT Law are mentioned. Hebrews 9:13 references "blood of bulls and goats… sprinkling the unclean" (a ref to Num. 19:17-18); 9:19 mentions a blood, water, hyssop mixture that was sprinkled (ref to Ex. 24:6,8), and 9:21 mentions a sprinkling with blood (ref to Lev. 8:19, 16:14). This is particularly helpful as a demonstration against the extra-biblical argument that "baptism" always meant immerse. This seems to be a fairly clear cut case that "sprinkling" is at least one way (if not the way) to understand "baptismos." (Not being a Greek expert, I'm not sure of the connection between "baptismos" (not referenced in John's baptisms or in Matt. 28, but it is referenced in Col. 2:12) and "baptizo" (the word used in John's baptisms and Matt. 28). The words are very close in Strongs, but I'm not sure if that has any significant meaning.)

John 3:22-24 - "much water". A phrase that many Baptists latch on to, questioning why "much water" would be needed if not baptizing via immersion. Adams makes a few points of clarification. First, he notes that the phrase can be translated "many streams" (and he gets this phrase from a Baptist translation of the passage), showing that the meaning of "much water" isn't obvious. It could easily be a place where many streams converge. Adams goes on to suggest that the the literal rendering of the place where John was (Aenon) is "springs" or "fountains". Either of these translations point away from the statement being focused on the quantity of water available. Adams further points out that John has left the Jordan river (a source of abundant water) to go to a location that consists of streams and springs (re-read this section for further treatment…).

John 3:22-24 - "purification" and "baptism." Adams argues that in this passage "the two words "purification" and "baptism" are equated as naturally as "bishop" and "elder" in Paul's letter to Titus." He then gives nine references in the law where purification took place by sprinkling: Lev. 14:6-7, Ps. 51:7, Num 19:11-13, Lev. 13:44, Lev 15:11, Lev. 11:29-44, Num 8:7, Ezk. 36:25-27

Jesus's baptism. Adams first clarifies that Jesus was not baptized with "John's baptism" (which was a baptism of repentance), but rather receiving the "sprinkling with water" that was required for the priesthood (Num. 8:6-7). His main case here is that Jesus said that he must be baptized to "fulfill all righteousness" (i.e. the law), but there is no requirement in the law to be baptized. Rather, Jesus is being initiated into the priesthood.

Spirit baptism and water baptism. Adams shows that the two are brought together in several passages (Mt. 3:11, Lk. 3:16, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:3,4, 16, 17,33; Acts 11:15,16) and that while the two are distinct, they are inseparably linked. He goes so far as to say that baptism in the Spirit is the primary significance of water baptism. Looking at the events of Acts 2, he points out that this event (Pentecost) was spoken of by Jesus and John as being "baptized with the Holy Spirit" -- but if this is the case, how does the image of Acts 2 accord with the idea of immersion? Rather, what we see and expect, is that the Spirit pours out on them, that the Spirit descends upon them. The image of sprinkling or pouring is much more consistent with the language describing what the Spirit did than is the image of immersion.

[Tim Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt, this book has turned my world upside down in relation to Baptism. But to say the words of this book were the true source of my change would be misleading. It is Jay Adams laying out the WORD OF GOD that caused my heart and mind to change. He mentions "the limits of this study confined to the Scriptures themselves. Here, alone will one discover the true meaning and mode of Christian baptism." If you are tired of thousands of books each trying to use their own reasoning, check out Jay Adams book that argues FROM SCRIPTURE! I am not convinced that Jay will change your mind...I am convinced the Word of God will greatly influence you as you examine HIS Word alongside this book. A must read...

[Peter Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic work that sheds light on all the tricky baptism passages of the NT. Both credo and paedobaptists will enjoy and benefit from this work.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Meaning and Mode of Baptism by Dr. Jay Adams is a wonderful little book that packs a punch. The thesis demonstrates the proper meaning and mode of baptism, while answering many of the common claims from immersionists.

[Kyle Grindberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A convincing case indeed, however I'm still not sure I'm convinced.

[Andrzej Stelmasiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good challenge, but not written in a polemical style, it's anything but irenic, hence 4 stars only.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

bro let me taake a breathhhhh.
bit lost in the sauce given he never rlly explains the immersionist arguement... probs couldnt bring himself to type it out lol.
But i mean i was sprinkled/poured/startled

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid defense of pouring/sprinkling as the Biblical mode of baptism. I appreciated that he took the mode seriously. So many Presbyterians argue that mode is irrelevant. His exegesis of John's baptism, Jesus' baptism,and Pentecost are excellent. He also forces you to look to the Old Testament to provide some warrant for what John did. I did not agree with him that Romans 6:3 and I Corinthians 12:12-13 could not refer to water baptism. But this mistake has really no effect upon the immersionist vs. pouring/sprinkling argument. My trek towards pouring as the primary mode continues.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Also read in December of 1989. Thought differently of it then.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful book giving the biblical argument for sprinkling.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pretty much floored by the textual arguments that Adams puts forth. My view of the covenants had already shifted toward paedobaptism but I expected to still be an immersionist and forever uncomfortable with sprinkling/pouring.

It is hard to overstate how incisive the arguments are that are put forth in this book. I am no Greek scholar so I can't truly analyze and evaluate myself the analysis of baptizo, but his arguments (and the other scholars he marshals) seem clear and compelling. But even more compelling than the arguments about how to understand baptizo (which really are only one or two small chapters of the little book), his textual analysis and arguments about the baptisms in the New Testament not being something new to the Jews but being of the same kind as Old Testament baptisms was incredible. I have read these passages for twenty years and never saw the connections.

Persuasive exegesis and argumentation that to my surprise demolishes any argument for baptism by immersion. It is so good that I'm going to have to search for good rebuttals or exegesis in favor of immersion as a sanity check.

[Benjamin Razey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adams' book The Meaning and Mode of Baptism is a brief book making a case for sprinkling/pouring as the biblical mode of baptism.

Adams presents a coherent case and the book is a good read without requiring much time or investment. My primary concerns with the book are that it assumes the mode of baptism is a matter of biblical faithfulness, but doesn't explain why this is the case, it addresses a number of key passages in favour of immersion but they felt inadequate and were too short (particularly on Romans 6), it makes a number of definitive statements asserting that its position is the biblical one on what feels like relatively shallow bases, and it doesn't address the meaning of baptism with much depth.

Overall, I found the book to be an interesting read, and is worthwhile for those interested in the topic of the mode of baptism.

[Peter Kiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear exposition of Scripture showing the continuity of baptism from the old and new testaments, a great exercise in Presbyterian and reformed hermeneutics, assuming continuity and using Scripture to interpret itself. It is a solid case, and while the "problem texts" were not handled as extensively as other works, they are handled adequately. This is a great short book to have in a Presbyterian's anti-baptist arsenal :)

[Jack Curtin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't convinced of the covenant view of infant baptism, but it contains a very helpful discussion of the mode of baptism, especially regarding Hebrews 9:10 and its use of baptismo and how the examples in the passage are all sprinklings...

[Jon Cheek · Rating 1 out of 5]

Surprisingly weak.

[Brock Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short and accessible treatment of baptism.

[Jamie Chaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots to chew on and pray about. Short but deep examination of the word

[Jesus Salgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Gives me a lot to consider, really had me thinking.

[Eric Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this little volume, Adams sets forth a compelling argument for sprinkling as the biblical means of baptism. (Infant baptism, however, is not part of the scope of this book.) Adams works through both Old and New Testament examples of baptism, with its roots in the ceremonial purifications and so forth. One of his most convincing arguments, in my opinion, was his discussion of the Holy Spirit descending. One is not immersed in the Spirit, and then raised from it; rather the Spirit comes down and rests upon the individual.
I think many of Adams' points are well made, but at times, he comes across (at least to me) as rather acerbic and imperious. Despite his occasionally unsavory presentation, Adams seems quite sound; and I think this book is worth a read.

[Shaun Marksbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jay Adams is a gift to the church, so this book (like all of them) is worth a go. He gives a good, short explanation and defense of non-immersion, though I can't say that he convinced me to stop being a Baptist. Even so, Adams's chapter on the baptism of Christ's and how it's functions in the Lord's priestly ministry was very good.

[Patrick McWilliams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must be the only Credobaptist who thinks affusion/aspersion (pouring/sprinkling) is a more proper mode of water baptism than immersion.

[Davey Ermold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blog post forthcoming.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHile wrestling with covenant theology, this book was helpful. Adams writes very clearly and presents his ideas well.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one on the train to Oxford; passionate and persuasive.