Originally posted by Chemnitz:
I decided to go by the library and see what Thayer's Lexicon had to say about βαπτισω and Thayer's agrees with me. Basically Thayer's says that βαπτισω means to wash, to wash ceremonially and then lists several means of performing the washing of which immersion is one of them. However at no time does it say that βαπτισω means immersion. Starting look like you are out gunned DHK, because the lexical evidence is pilling up against.
I don't have to go to the library to look up the word baptidzo. I have my own copy of Thayers, as well as Liddell and Scott, and Green's. I use Strong's because it is easy reference, and on my hard drive. But for your sake I will get out the old tomes.
From Thayers, "A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Joseph Henry Thayer, D.D., Fourth Edition, 1901
Baptidzo:
I. 1. Properly to dip repeatedly, to immerge, submerge.
2. To cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water; in the mid. And the 1 aor. Pass. To wash one's self, bathe;
3. Metaphorically: to overwhelm.
II. In the N.T. it is used particularly of the rite of sacred ablution, first instituted by John the Baptist, afterwards by Christ's command received by Christians and adjusted to the contents and nature of their religion, viz. An immersion in water, performed as a sign of the removal of sin, and administered to those who impelled by a desire for salvation, sought admission to the benefits of the Messiah's kingdom.
A. The word is used absolutely, to administer the rite of ablution, to baptize: Mk.1:4; Jn.1:25, etc.; with the cognate noun "to baptisma," Acts 19:4; "o baptidwn," substantively i.q. "o baptistays," Mk.6:14. Passive in a reflex sense, to allow one's self to be initiated by baptism, to receive baptism Lk.3:7,12. With the cognate noun "to baptisma" added, Lk.7:29, 1Aor. Mid. 1Cor.10:2
B. with prepositions; eis, to mark the element into which the immersion is made.
Baptisma: a word peculiar to N.T. and ecccl writ., immersion, submersion.
I would say that your scholarship has been poor and dishonest at best.
DHK