Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Reformed Wisdom

On Acts 2:41 –

The same day. Peter began his preaching at 9 o’clock in the morning. How long he continues is not recorded. But it is plain that the three thousand were added to the body of professed believers by baptism, that same day. This baptism, we think, could not have been by immersion, (1) Because there were no adequate facilities in the city. Besides the fountains and cisterns in the houses, which would not allow of it from their construction, there were only the rivulet Kidron, and the pools of Siloam, Gihon, &c. outside of the city. But to have baptized so many persons in these, had it been otherwise possible, would scarcely been allowed by the authorities. We suppose that the form of baptism at that time was by sprinkling or pouring” – Melancthon W. Jacobus, Notes – Critical and Explanatory – on the Acts of the Apostles, 88.

1 comment:

Scott Nichols said...

Actually there were hundreds of Mikvahs right outside the gates of the Temple. Not that I am saying that immersion is the only way to baptize, but after Peter's sermon, they probably were, quite easily.