Baptism Flashcards
Where is Baptism mentioned?
Baptism is mentioned in Matt 28:19 and Acts (2, 8, 9, 10, 16, 18, 19, 22); cf. Romans 6:3-8; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Eph 4:5; Col 2:12); for household baptisms note the rules to the household in Eph 6:1-9.
What is baptism (#94)?
Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our engrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.
Of what is baptism a sign and seal? Where in Scripture are these terms used? How does the latter term relate to paedo-baptism?
WCF 28:1 a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,(3) of his engrafting into Christ,(4) of regeneration,(5) of remission of sins,(6) and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life.
“Sign and seal” – (Rom. 4:11 with Col. 2:11, 12)
• He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well (Rom 4:11).
Sign and Seal
• Sign: it symbolizes or signifies in a concrete manner Christ’s benefits
• Seal: gives validity or effect
Paedobaptism—“The seal was simply the visible pledge of God that when the conditions of his covenant were met, the blessings he had promised would apply (WCF 28:6). For this reason, God did not require that covenant parents wait until a child could express faith before commanding them to administer the covenant sign and seal of circumcision” (Chapell, 12)
Use Scripture to defend infant baptism?
The absence of contrary command in the NT
• The apostles emphasized the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant for NT believers
o The covenant of faith: God promised an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Gen 15, 17); this covenant remains in effect for us (Luke 1:68-75; Acts 3:25; especially Galatians 3-4)
o The sign of this covenant has changed from circumcision to baptism (see Colossians 2:11-12)
o Peter says, “This promise is for you and for your children…” (Acts 2:39)
• The removal of any sign of the covenant from believers’ children would have been an immense change in practice and concept for Jewish families (and thus we would expect some mentioned of a change would have been made)
o Consider how the head of a Jewish household would have reacted when others in his household were baptized on the basis of his faith while his own children were denied the covenant sign
The examples of household baptism
• Household (according to Deuteronomy)—included one’s resident dependents: spouse, children, resident relatives, servants
• The Bible teaches representative headship:
o OT: Explains why girls/women did not need to the sign, because they were represented by the head of the household
o NT: The Philippian jailer himself believed (singular verb) and his whole household was baptized
• Household baptisms in Acts: Cornelius (10), Lydia and the Philippian jailer (16), Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:16)
• In all these accounts, every person identified as having a household present at his or her conversion also had the entire household baptized
How is our baptism to be improved by us?
Occasions: During times of temptation/when we witness others baptisms
1) By serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it
2) By humility for our sin
3) By growing in assurance of pardon of sin
4) By drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ
5) By endeavoring to live by faith
How is baptism rightly administered? (According to BCO 56)
1) Not to be delayed
2) By a minister
3) In the presence of the congregation
4) Presented by one or both parents (signifying their desire)
5) Minister gives words of instruction (see 56-4)
6) Exhort congregation to look back on their baptisms/exhorts parents to their duties
7) Reads covenant promises (Acts 39; Gen 17:7; Acts 16:31)
8) Baptism (pouring or sprinkling water over the head, saying …)
Cf. BCO 57-5 (for unbaptized who come to faith)—different questions
What is the proper mode of baptism? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
WCF 28:3 Dipping of the person [immersion] into the water is not necessary; but Baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person.
Scriptural Proofs
• Ceremonial cleansing precedents: the cleansings Scripture describes with “baptism” language (Mark 7:4; Hebrews 9:10-22)
• Adult baptism examples: “Nowhere does the Bible say the Jesus or anyone else went under the water for baptism”
o Jesus came “up out of the water” (Mark 1:10); Ethiopian eunuch in desert, water likely not deep enough; Philippian jailer and household—unlikely they went through the town at midnight looking for a pool of water (Acts 16)
• Romans 6? The word “buried” relates more to the funeral ceremony than to the method of burial (what of tombs?)—this text deals more with identity than mode
Would you under any circumstances baptize someone by immersion? Explain.
WCF 28:3 Dipping of the person [immersion] into the water is not necessary; but Baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person
Immersion is not necessary but not prohibited
Who is to be baptized? Or to who is baptism properly ministered (#95)? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized.
Scripture defense:
• Abraham circumcised his sons (Genesis 17:7, 10)
• While the sign has changed, that promise continues (Acts 2:38-39)
• We see this modeled in the household baptisms in Acts: Philippian jailer, Cornelius, Lydia, Stephanas (Acts 16)
WCF 28:4 Not only those that do actually profess faith in the obedience unto Christ,(1) but also the infants of one, or both, believing parents, are to be baptized.(2)
(1) Mark 16:15,16; Acts 8:37,38
(2) Gen. 17:7,9 with Gal. 3:9,14 and Col. 2:11,12; and Acts 2:38,39; and Rom. 4:11,12; 1 Cor. 7:14; Matt. 28:19; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15
What is the process for accepting unbaptized adults for baptism?
- Give satisfactory evidence of their knowledge and piety (determined by session)
- Make public profession of faith in the presence of the congregation
How would you deal with a family in your church who did not want their child baptized?
1) I would make sure they understand the significance of baptism
2) I would warn them of the danger of denying baptism to their child
Does baptism actually save the person baptized? Explain and defend with proofs.
No, the promises are still received by faith (Acts 10, Galatians 2)
WCF 28:5 Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance,(1) yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved, without it;(2) or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.(3)
(1) Luke 7:30 with Exod. 4:24-26
(2) Rom. 4:11; Acts 10:2,4,22,31,45,47
(3) Acts 8:13,23
WCF 28.6 The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered;(1) yet, not withstanding, 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 belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God’s own will, in His appointed time.(2)
(1) John 3:5,8
(2) Gal 3:27; Tit. 3:5; Eph. 5:25,26; Acts 2:38,41
BCO 56-4 (i) “and that outward baptism is not so necessary, that through the want thereof, the infant is in danger of damnation”
Mentioned of people (e.g., Demas) who left the faith or became false teachers
Can a person be baptized more than once? Explain and defend with Scripture proofs.
WCF 28:7 The sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered unto any person
Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
How would you handle a request for baptism from a previously baptized Roman Catholic?
Since they were baptized into the Father, Son, and Spirit, and by means of water it is a valid Christian baptism
How would you handle a request for baptism from a previously baptized former liberal?
Since they were baptized into the Father, Son, and Spirit, and by means of water it is a valid Christian baptism
