What is Baptism?

Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,[1] to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself,[2] of remission of sins by his blood,[3] and regeneration by his Spirit;[4] of adoption,[5] and resurrection unto everlasting life;[6] and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church,[7] and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s.[8]

1. Matt. 28:19

   Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit….

2. Gal. 3:27

   For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

3. Mark 1:4

   John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

   Rev. 1:5

   …and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.
   
   To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood….

4. Titus 3:5

   …he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit….

   Eph. 5:26

   …that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word….

5. Gal. 3:26-27

   …for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

6. I Cor. 15:29

   Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

   Rom. 6:5

   For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

7. I Cor. 12:13

   For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

8. Rom. 6:4

   We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Question 165, Westminster Larger Catechism

(Every once in a while I remind readers that while I love the Westminster Catechism and agree with it on many things, there are places where I disagree with what is taught in it. Yes, I’m issuing a disclaimer.

I’ve been really busy today, so I haven’t put the text for the verses in yet, but I’m posting anyway. I’ll come back and put the verses in later. How much do you want to bet that no one clicks through and reads this far anyway?)

Comments

[Kim from Hiraeth]

I always click through.

: D

I admit to being curious about how you will handle the differences between the WCF and, say, the London Baptist CF on baptism. As a former little 'b' baptist and now Presbyterian, I understand the issues but I'm interested in reading your take on this.

: D

[rebecca]

Well, I did write a defense of believers baptism in a post once. :)

Other than that, I'm not sure I'll be handling it any time soon.

I'm glad someone clicked through.

Now I'm off to actually post those proof texts.

[Kim in On]

I just want it on the record that I clicked through :)

[rebecca]

:)