Chapter XXVIII
Of Baptism
I. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,1 not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church;2 but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,3 of his ingrafting into Christ,4 of regeneration,5 of remission of sins,6 and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in the newness of life.7 Which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world.8
II. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the Gospel, lawfully called thereunto.9
III. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but Baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person.10
IV. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ,11 but also the infants of one, or both, believing parents, are to be baptized.12
V. Although it is a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance,13 yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without it;14 or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.15
VI. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered;16 yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited, and conferred, by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongs unto, according to the counsel of God's own will, in His appointed time.17
VII. The sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered unto any person.18
Scripture Proofs
[1]
MAT 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
[2]
1CO 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
[3]
ROM 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised. COL 2:11–12 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands.
[4]
GAL 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ROM 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death.
[5]
TIT 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.
[6]
MAR 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
[7]
ROM 6:3–4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
[8]
MAT 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.
[9]
MAT 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. JOH 1:33 Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending.
[10]
HEB 9:10–22 And divers washings. ACT 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.
[11]
MAR 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. ACT 8:37–38 And Philip said, If thou believest.
[12]
GEN 17:7 I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee. ACT 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children.
[13]
LUK 7:30 But the Pharisees rejected the counsel of God. EXO 4:24–26 And the Lord met him.
[14]
ROM 4:11 ACT 10:2–47 Cornelius feared God, and the Holy Ghost was poured out.
[15]
ACT 8:13, 23 Simon himself believed also, yet was in the bond of iniquity.
[16]
JOH 3:5–8 Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit.
[17]
GAL 3:27 TIT 3:5 EPH 5:25–26 ACT 2:38–41
[18]
TIT 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done.