54 – February – 23 – THIS DAY IN BAPTIST HISTORY PAST

 

James Smith Coleman

Lutheran’s Bible meant immersion

1827 – James Smith Coleman was born on Feb. 23, 1827, and was saved as just a boy in his native Kentucky.  He became known as the “Old War Horse” for good reason.  He refused calls to large city churches preferring to stay in the country ministering as pastor-evangelist to the hill people.  His great-grand parents had become Baptists when they came to America from Germany.  After reading Lutheran’s translation of the scriptures, they knew that the Greek baptizo with the German “taufen,” meant immersion.  James united with the Beaver Dam Baptist Church at age eleven, but at adulthood he forgot his call to preach and became county sheriff.  At a revival meeting the Holy Spirit burdened his heart again, and he resigned as sheriff and began preaching the gospel with great power.  His efforts produced converts every time he graced the pulpit.  He was especially a great debater and often put the pedobaptists to flight with his oratory and effective humor.
Dr. Greg J. Dixon, from: This Day in Baptist History Vol. I: Cummins Thompson /, pp. 74.

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132– May 12 – This Day in Baptist History Past

 

132– May 12 – This Day in Baptist History Past

 

 

“He Loved the Word of God above the word of man”

 

The Bible, being the pure unadulterated Word of God, is the final authority of Baptist Faith and Practice.  Therefore, Baptists have always been sincerely interested in disseminating the Scriptures far and wide. An application was made to the American Bible Society that the word baptizo was the equivalent to “immerse,” and though the contributions of the Baptist churches were sizable, the American Bible Society refused its indication. The Society patronized a version which translated baptizo with the word “sprinkle.”

 

In the session in which the American Bible Society exiled the Baptists from their ranks, a gentleman defending pedobatism rose to speak. He argued that warfare is perpetual for Christians, and we are all in one large army. The enemy is poised to strike, and a regiment that does not continue to show the solid front is guilty of desertion.

 

Only one course of action was left to the Baptists. “On May 12, 1836, a large convention met in the Oliver Street Church, New York, and after discussion, proceeded to organize the American and Foreign Bible Society. Rev. Spencer H. Cone . . . . was its first president.”

 

Dr. Dale R. Hart: Adapted from: This Day in Baptist History, Vol. I: Cummins/Thompson /, pp. 194 -195

 

 

42 – Feb. 11 – THIS DAY IN BAPTIST HISTORY PAST

“He said the word “baptizo” is to immerse or dip.”
Dr. Alexander McLaren was born on Feb. 11, 1826, and lived until May 5, 1910.  He was a Baptist and an outstanding Bible expositor from Manchester, England who wrote for the Sunday School Times.  These lessons were used in all denominations throughout England.
In one of his lessons he commented on the immersion of the Lord Jesus in the Jordan.  Immediately the editor was bombarded by pedobaptists for allowing such a statement.  The editor himself a Presbyterian, replied that though he was not a Baptist, he concurred.  When McLaren used it a second time they were attacked again.  This time the Editor of the times quoted several scholars who all agreed that in every instance they agreed that “baptizo” is translated immersion.  These included John D. Davis, professor in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, NJ copyrighted by the Trustees of the Presbyterian Board of Education.  He said the word “baptizo” is to immerse or dip.”  Every lexicon renders it the same way.  Thayers Lexicon, Liddel and Scott, Bagsters Greek New Testament, all render that word to be either immerse or to dip.
Dr. Greg J. Dixon,  adapted from:  This Day in Baptist History III (David L. Cummins), pp