*† βαπτισμός, -οῦ, ὁ
(< βαπτίζω), prop., the act of which βάπτισμα is the result;
1. a dipping, washing, lustration: Mk 7:4; of Jewish ceremonial, He 9:10; in He 6:2, βαπτισμῶν διδαχήν (-ῆς), "the pl. and the peculiar form seem to be used to include Christian baptism with other lustral rites" (Westc, in l.).
2. baptism: FlJ, Ant., 18, 5, 2 (of John's baptism), and some Fathers (v. Soph., s.v.). Not so in NT, unless ἐν τ. βαπτισμῷ, in the act of baptism, Col 2:12, be read with Tr. (Rec., WH, R, -ματι).†