It cannot be denied that an array of respectable testimony may be drawn up in favor of both theories; but when the meaning of the terms are interpreted in the light of the practice of the early Christians, those who received the doctrine of baptism from the apostles and other servants of Christ--nay, if interpreted by the manner in which these very apostles administered the ordinance--it is evident that immersion alone is the proper method for baptizing for the remission of sins, and initiation into the Church of Christ, whatever other signification may be attached to the words in other connections; for nothing is more evident than that immersion is the manner in which baptism was administered by them. Of John the Baptist it is written: "And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him _in the River Jordan_;"[B] and to this agrees also the testimony of Matthew.[C] [Footnote B: Mark i: 4.] [Footnote C: Matt. iii: 5, 6.] Again it is said of him that he baptized "in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there".[D] And it is said that "Jesus, when he was baptized went up straightway out of the water;"[E] from which it is evident that he had been down in the water. From these circumstances, that is, from his baptizing _in_ Jordan, and near Salim "where there was much water," and from Jesus going up out of the water after his baptism, there can be no question but John baptized by immersion; and there is nothing to lead us to suppose that he baptized in any other manner. [Footnote D: John iii, 23.] [Footnote E: Matt. iii: 16; Mark i: 10.] Take an account of a baptism which took place after the crucifixion of Messiah, and we shall find the same method of administering the ordinance observed. I allude to the baptism of the chamberlain of Queen Candace, by Philip. This person was met by Philip in the highway, and being invited to ride in the chamberlain's carriage he taught him the Gospel. On belief taking hold of the chamberlain, as they came to certain water, he inquired of Philip what hindered him from being baptized. To which Philip answered: "If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest. And he answered and said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit caught away Philip that the eunuch saw him no more."[F] [Footnote F: Acts viii: 36-39.]