BAPHOMET

baphomet, the imaginary symbol or idol which the knights templars were accused of worshipping in their secret rites. the term is supposed to be a corruption of _mahomet_, who in several medieval latin poems seems to be called by this name. j. von hammer-purgstall, in his _mysterium baphometis relevatum, &c._, and _die schuld der templer_, revived the old charge against the templars. the word, according to his interpretation, signifies the baptism of _metis_, or of fire, and is, therefore, connected with the impurities of the gnostic ophites (_q.v._). additional [v.03 p.0364] evidence of this, according to hammer-purgstall, is to be found in the architectural decorations of the templars' churches. an elaborate criticism of hammer-purgstall's arguments was made in the _journal des savans_, march and april 1819, by m. raynouard, a well-known defender of the templars. (see also hallam, _middle ages_, c. i. note 15.) baptism. the gr. words [greek: baptismos] and [greek: baptisma] (both of which occur in the new testament) signify "ceremonial washing," from the verb [greek: baptizo], the shorter form [greek: bapto] meaning "dip" without ritual significance (_e.g._ the finger in water, a robe in blood). that a ritual washing away of sin characterized other religions than the christian, the fathers of the church were aware, and tertullian notices, in his tract _on baptism_ (ch. v.), that the votaries of isis and mithras were initiated _per lavacrum_, "through a font," and that in the _ludi apollinares et eleusinii_, _i.e._ the mysteries of apollo and eleusis, men were baptized (_tinguntur_, tertullian's favourite word for baptism), and, what is more, baptized, as they presumed to think, "unto regeneration and exemption from the guilt of their perjuries." "among the ancients," he adds, "anyone who had stained himself with homicide went in search of waters that could purge him of his guilt." the texts of the new testament relating to christian baptism, given roughly in chronological order, are the following:--