There the word means, simply, inaugurated, or set apart, with no reference to the mode; for, they were not immersed, but bedewed, if wet at all; they were not buried in that cloud, for the other cloud that led them was in sight; they were not buried in the sea, which was a wall to them on either hand.
There is a good illustration, it seems to me, of the change in words from their literal meaning, in the passage where Christ is called the "first-born of every creature." He was not _born first_, before all men, but he has the "preeminence" over all creatures, as the first-born had among the children.

Here is an illustration, from the New Testament, of the way in which _baptism_ may cease to denote any mode, and refer only to an act of consecration.
As to that new version of the Bible, Coleridge says, that the state ought to be, to all religious denominations, like a good portrait, which looks benignantly on all in the room.

So the Bible now seems to look kindly upon all Christian sects; and, for one, I love to have it so.
But, some of you, good brethren, who are in favor of this new version to suit your particular views, are trying to alter the eyes of the portrait so that they shall look only on you, and to your part of the room.

We think that you ought to be satisfied with the present kind look which you get from them.

There is one comfort--you will make a new picture to please yourselves, and we shall keep the old portrait.
"Please do not be too severe on my husband for that mistake of his," said Mrs.K.; "I think that he is getting better of it, in a measure." _Mr.K._ I will make you a present of the book when it arrives, and, perhaps, you will agree with me.