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T'RINTEP AT THE CHRISTIAN MEf»SENGER OFTICE. 1856. tJl ^^ 1 CONCISE VIEW OP CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. BY JOHN CRAPS. " He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." — Maek w'l, 16. HALIFAX, N. S. . rRINTED AT THE CHEI8TIAN MESSENGER OFFJf K. 1856. / / / /'■ ■-7 ) I I ) > u CONCISE VIEW OF I Christian laptism. By JOHN CBAPS " He that believeth and i. baptized Bhall be Baved,"-MARK xvi. IC. The obiect of this tract is to present a concise view of chbTsx I.N BAPXiBM.-It i, not intended to provoke -n troversy, but to vindicate a dwine ordinance. The writer loves al who lovo Christ, and sincere y prays that they mly" tand perfect and complete in all the win of ^od wl are commanded "by lovo to serve one another; and as thev are happy who know and do the w! I of God, to aid tn tKainmenl of this happiness is a service which love rAniiirpq and whicli love cannot condemn. Tpt^m being an ordinance of ^^^^ ^ew Testamen , ^ nuestions respecting it must be determined by that infallible book The writinis of the fathers, the traditions oi men and the customs of the church, are no authority on the subject. I. The PERSONS to he baptized. Are they infants, or are they lelievers only ? What say '^ThT-proacVied in the wilderness of Judea," and baptised such as "confessed their sros,"-Matt, ii.. 1-6? Mark i. 5. He *' baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, That they should believe on him which should come after him, that is on Christ." — Acts xix. 4. As John required those whom he baptized to confess their sins and believe in the coming Messiah, it is evident infants could not be the subjects of his baptism. 2. Our adorable Lord and Saviour was baptized, not in infancy, but when He "began to bo about thirty years of age." — Luke iii. 23. 3. Jesus baptized by his disciples in the laud of Judoa. And he " made and baptized more disciples than John." — John iv. 1. He made disciples, then haptized them. We do not read of his baptizing any but disciples : and these could not be iifants, for he says, "Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." — Luke xiv. 27. 4. The gospel commission is, "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."— Matt, xxviii. 19. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be damned." — Mark xvi. 15, 16. The Saviour " made and baptized disciples " in Judea, but the apostles were to " go into all the world," to make anjj baptize disciples. The first duty enjoined in this com- mission is to make disciples by preaching the gospel. The second duty is to haptize such disciples, or believers ; as they are called in Mark. This commis'sioh is no authority for infant baptism, but it positively commands the baptism of all believers. 5. When those who "were pricked in their heart," enquired "What shall we do? Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you. ' And "they that gladly received his word were baptized."— Acts ii. 37-41. Here Peter made disciples by preaching the gospel, and Jiuck disciples were baptized. On this occasion "about ■I ■ cntance, on him Lets xix. 1 confess evident I, not in ty years f Jiidoa. ohn."— a. We id these loth not Lsciple." »rG, and Father, :viii. 19. to every 2 saved ; xvi. 15, 1 Judea, to make lis com- 1. The ; as they trity for baptism »» heart, ) them, ley that 37-41. )el, and " about thtee thou.and" were baptized. But there i. not the lea.t intimation that one of these wa. an tn/«nt. Uod, and tne name u ^ narrative t:;^ nTS^ir/aSlnfl^rHTd- AiS Wtized infants j^r Philip Vf^'^i" .r-iiire^hrLi: SsttlArXd." "xhX'he L haptized-Act, ""•.^'cxsarea the "Holy Ghost fell on all them i^^ ^ tterit E rrnV- 'ha5:^er.^h S reS the Holy Ghost as well as ^ve? And he ^:^;ded Jem to he J^puzed in the «- ofjhe W.^ ^ile^HolyGhU'' beforfthey were baptized, and therefore * -....> 6 Lord" to infants. Nor could it be said of infants that chcy "rejoiced, believing ir, God." But this is said of the Jailor and of all his house. 11. "Crispus believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized."— Acts x\'iii. 8. All the house of Crispus "be- lieved on the Lord," therefore, notie of them could be inf ants. -^'£hc *'many Corinthians" heard, *' believed," and then were baptized." 12. Paul "baptized the household of Stephanus."—1 Cor. i. 14-16. "Ye know the house of Stephanus, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints." 1 Cor. xvi. 15. These ministers to the saints could not be infants. These instances of baptism are referred to, not so much for the purpose of proving that believers, both men and women, are proper subjects for baptism, as to show that " in all the instances of baptism in the scriptures, there is not the slightest intimation of infants having been baptized. The principal object is to shew that nothing can be gathered from the scriptures in favour of infant baptism. This is not merely admitted, but affirmed by the following unexceptionable witnesses. Luther says, "It cannot be proved by the sacred scriptures, that infant baptism was instituted by Christ." Bishop Burnot says, "There is no express precept or rule, given in the New Testament for the baptism of infartts." There is, however, another and still stronger objection to infant baptism; the scriptures contain presumptive evidence against it. 1 . The evangelists three times record the fact that infants were brought to Christ. Had Christ baptized infants, we may suppose they would have been brought to him for baptism. But they were not brought for haptism, but that he might " touch them ;"— Luke xviii. 15,, and "put his hands on them and pray."— Matt. xix. 13. Jesus did not baptize his bar one of to in fa bad be he wo favour to bap it is n 2. : inetan mts that said of 3 house ; nd were )U3 " bc- lould be ilievcd," — 1 Cor. bat it is addicted A^fa lh.«, into... b.. •■ «.ok .lU™ up u. M. .m.^ P« onL ui mu^v vpadpT iud<'c whether, u it ho would not have ,iven some '"'''»» "'^"/'^"f^^ene' t is notThewill of Christ that infants should be baptized? 2. Baptism is that of which infant, are mcapahU. t « inetancc : ...,.„»•„ Bantism is a fulftlling of righteousnes*-Malt. m. lo. Hut in- xvi.l5. J Jr^cln neither commit sin nor fulfil righteousness. ^_ Pe^tni!' 'r i=.l hrSrr^on^at^'con. ^"^^ ^ ' . t. • 1 •♦! r\.rWt irid a rising with him throtigh /„K"l.T rBr'i>fS'r neither beluried nor rise .ith XSi'MSssion of discipleship to Christ_.a putting on of Ch^^-Pal. nil 27. But in6.nts -no V^^^^^^;^^ ^, ,,, The person is to be ^f^^^,^:\,„^ ^L" V^i is 'by the Father, and of. the Son and ot ^e r y ^^ ^^^ ^^ j authority, ""'l "J^ *e feith, Profesi"". » j^g^^t, Vannot worship, rj^e^rbtur ir^r'subXo ti authority of the Father. '°;^ Sralrrect view of ehristian^baptis^^^t^^^^^^ impropriety in applying it to mfants, for thej can neimer implies nor do what it requires. -„ . -w.^not 3. God institutes no r.eUss cereinonies. But^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 80 much nen and ow that !S, there ig been nothing f infant I by the ys,^ "It t infant let says, he New action to evidence t infants nts, we lim for but that put his did not ae^^rnTfLtrSoflV^''" '^"^'^°"' the whol/of ;"L\t acSr^ L„rpel':" rfv" "'t^ approbation. eospel admits no'aeTas rdwtL'St'tchV'-'^"?- ^^^ Infant baptism is not, on the part of tb.^ v "/"'"^"'"X- genii's of the Z: J""''.f T''." ^f '""''^ fr'"* ""^wL " Sv 11 • . «"*?"'• Ihe beast with ten horns mentinnp^ p ' 7"" are oorn, not of blooa, nor of thp will „< »»,» flosh, nor of the will of man but of Gnrl " t- f- V *"' the right of being the children of God ' .J T^ ""'""^ n^t:T"^f'' they Irr^ntUW to s^t^al pSef «ut how discordant with this is infant bant.-sm i ^"y"''^®*- tised not on the ground of spirituafbut of cinal b th -^r: on the ground of personal, but of relative l^etv ^r a m^^. oT^Sratio? '-' ^ — • -^-- ^« a P- 6. If the scriptureK onnfn,*« «« -l /. , ample of infant 'baptism-^lheT ^7^ Z' wt, ZZ I infants which cnt wi i the go \ baptis; consec only, all. ' differe yet u\ doubt persoi Thi aiders 1. mer&i Ca Be word Di write imme T. J. So 2. scrip origi hayti but sprii: 3. Test *■ JV tiats. 4 a' in infftBcj 10 are not ^hich they no change not effect >tism is a can such which is ^ntially a ir sin*— ^ le Divine 5e to the robation, m. The )luntary. lupposed )ry cere- le whole entioned ee, than lie New ual and I of this 11 of the ! belong ground vileges. ia prac- ;h ; not a mere a part no ex- about 9 infants in connexion with baptism— if baptism is that^ of which infants are incapable— and if baptism is not consist- ent with the personal, voluntary, and spiritual religion of i the gospel— then every unbiassed mind must conclude that ^ baptisir ought not to be administered to infants. And consequently, those who have been baptized in infancy only have not been, in the sense of scripture, baptized at i all. The rite administered in their infancy being altogether ' different from that which the Word of God enjoins, they are yet unhaptized according to the scriptures, and, without * doubt they ought to consider themselves as unhaptized persons, II. h baptism IMMERSION or SPRINKLING ? This question may be determined by the following con- siderations : — . • ^ • 1. The word baptism m'eans immersion; enemies to im- mersion being judges. ^ . „ Calvin. *' The word baptize signifies to immerse. Beza.— " Christ commanded us to be baptized, by which word it is certain immersion is signiiied." Dr Campbell.— "The woid baptizing, both m saered writers and in classical, signifies to dip, to plunge, to im7Tierse T. Scott. " Immersion is doubtless baptism.'' Life by J. Scott. * , . ^1, 2. The word sprinkle and pour frequently occur m the scriptures, but there is not one instance m which the ori If the term whicfi properly means immer- »ion IS the only one used in the scriptures to denote the ordinance, must not the ordinance be immersion 7 6. " John baptized in the river of Jordan."— ^Mark i. 5. ''And Jesus was baptized of John in Jordan."-— Mark i. 9. n John immersed our Lord and others, this account of his administering the rite in the river of Jordan is plain and natural. Is it reasonable to suppose that a prudent man would go into a river merely to sprinkle another ? Can an instance be produced from historv of people going into a river for the purpose of being sprinkled? Do those who sprinkle^ in the present day ever go into a river for that purpose .' ^^^ 7. Jesus went ur straightway out of the water.-— Matt. 111. 16. A proof that he was baptized in the water, and an evidence that baptism is immersion. 8. "John was baptizing in Enon— because there was much ^^ater there,"— John iii. 23. Notice the reason, because there was much water there." " Because there was a crreat nnnnfitx' nf wo^ar- 4U«~,i" ta„jj..:j T ^1 . i ^j --i T^ciLvi. tUv^re . — -JJOQuiiui^u. 15 tnis reason satisfactory if he sprinkled the people ? Would that have required much water? Would not a single ;( 11 which the iupply the 3nse ; but I pouring, g all the not this a iprinkling ling and ) describe ikling or ssses such ) describe IS immer- 3nGte the lark i. 5. lark i. 9. nt of his )lain and lent man Can an ;ig into a tiose who for that • '. — Matt, r, and an lere was reason, ise there IS toia Would a single spring or small rivulet have been sufficient? If John inu merstd the people the reason is a good one. Philip and the Eunuch " came to a certain water ,--an(l thev went down both into the water; both Philip and the Eunuch ; and he baptized him. And wheji they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away 4ilip."— Acts viii. o6-39. They came to this water, and then w^t down into it, and when he baptized him they came up out of the water. This is exactly what xmmersvon would require, but what would have been unnecessary for rpr^nkling, or pouring. The sacred historian oould not l^v« descAbcd the immersion of the Eunuch in more clear and forcible language. 10. Our Lord calls hi^ suffering, a baptism; " I have a haptism to be hc^ti^ed ^ith."-Luke xii. 50. Jesus here refers to those deep waters of divine justice mto which he was soon to sink for man's redemption. In reference to which he might truly say ; "I am come mto deep^vaters where the floods overflow me. All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.'' If baptism is immersion, there is an obvious propriety in calling these sufferings a ia^^fi^m, because there is a striking resemblance.^ But if baptism were sprinkling there would be no propriety in the hgure, because there would be no resemblance. 11 The Israelites were "baptized unto Moses, m the cloud and in the sea."-! Cor. x. i. 2. Dr. Whitby says : ^' Both the cloud and the sea had some resembumce to our beincT covered with water in baptism ; their gomg into the sea r^esembled the ancient rite of going into the water,^and ^eir coming out of it, their rising up out of the water. ^^ 12. "Believers were buried with Christ in baptism. That the Apostle here alludes to immersion is generally admitted. Mr. Wesley is constrained to allow that this i .^ „ii„c,>r> fo fh« nnr'ipnt matuner of baptizinsj by immersion. In Rom. vi.4. and Col. ii. 12, the Apostle speaks of baptism ns an emblem of a burial ar.d of a resurrection, there must 12 therefore be in baptism eomcfcking that corresponds to these. Neither sprinkling nor pouring in any way resembles either a burial or a resurrection, but an immersion in the water and a rising out of it strikingly resemble both. This must be obvious to every unprejudiced mind. 13. If, as Mr. Scott says, immersion is doubtless baptism, if the term immersion will in every case translate the term baptism, and the words sprinkling and pouring will not — if the terms properly meaning sprinkling and pouring are not once used in the Scripture to denote the ordinance — if bap- tism was administered in the river Joidan and where thero was much water — if the baptizer and the baptized went down, both into the water — if baptism resemble the sufferings of Christ — if it resembles the statf of the Israelites in the cloud and in the sea — and if it resemble a death, burial and resurrection — then let the unbiassed reader judge whether baptism must not be immersion, and whether it is not an error to consider either sprinkling or pouring to be baptism. And if he thus judge must he not conclude that those who have been sprinkled only, have not been baptized ; and that to practise sprinkling instead of immersion, is to set aside the law of God } in. Baptism is as binding now as at any former perwd, 1 . That baptism was divinely instituted as an ordinance of the christian religion, and administered by inspired Apostles to both Jews and Gentiles, is plain from the pre- ceding remarks. 2. There is no intimation that the law of baptism was designed to be restricted to any nation or limited to any period of time. It is a general law without any restriction, except that which refers to character — '* He that believeth." ". A fllVTHA lf»W miiof r»nr«fir»iio r^Wli fro i- r\frr in-Mfil if ia yia.- pealed by divine authority. There is no intimation in the scriptures that the law of baptism has been repealed, and 13 ids to these. nbles either in the water This must jss baptism, ite the term will not — if ring are not ice — if bap- vvhere thero went dowiL iufFerings of elites in the , burial and Ige whether it is not an be baptism. i those who I ; and that to set aside r period* 1 ordinance 3y inspired om the pre- japtism was lited to any restriction, believeth." fii it- Id »<^_ Uii XV is IV- ition in the pealed, and therefore there is no reason to suppose its obligatiott hae 4 The neimanent duration of the ordinance is plaialy impli^d in the promise ; " Lo I am ^vjth you alway^ even to the e^'l of the world."— Matt, xxvui. 19, 20. Ihis im portant i .omise was given at the time the °'^'; ,^;' •°- Itituted.'and it plainly supplies the conunuanee of baptism even to the end of the world. . ^ » i„„ 5. Baptism is connected with the most important doc- tria;s, duties, and privileges of the go.pel. The baviou Zne^ts it with the doctrine of the Trinity ; preaohmg and Relieving the gospel ; fulfilling all righteousness ; and the promise of salvation.-Matt. xxviii. 19-Matt. xvi- 16.- Matt 3 15. Taul connects it with the death, burial, and rtur'reetionof "Christ; with the believer's ^ying unto .n^ livino^ unvo God, and putting on Christ.- Rom. vi. J. 4. Gal iii.27; He conLcts it also with " one bo-ly, -;. Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one ^od ^"^ tatbt. of all "— Eph iv. 4-6. Peter connects it with the re- el all. f'l^-^"- .. gg ^nd also with salvation mission o sins.-Acts u. ^8- ^na discontinue and a good conscience. — 1 i'eter in. -i. *" _" L ordinance would be to dissolve its connexion v«tk » these doctrines, duties, and privileges And wh», without authority from the divine Author of the institution, can do '"'rBiySrSers all the purposes at this day, whiol. It ^nsweLd in the first age of Christianity, and Aese^re a. needful now as they were then. No reason can ^e assigned for the observance of the ordinance in the apostle s day... which will not apply in =,11 its force to believers in e^ery aee of the christian church. ,. ^7. The above considerations afford incontostible proof of the perpetuity of christian bapUsm, and shew A» •'« "';-, .ervan^e is obligatory at present, and wi continue to b. ». nV,Ii 2. Baptism possesses all the importance an ordinance can derive from the plainly expressed sanction of the Father, hon, and Holy Ghost. This is evident from the record of the Saviours baptism,— - Jesus came from Nazareth, of Galilee, and was haptized of John in Jordan. And straight- way coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, ana the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved ^on in whom I am well pleased."— Mark i. 9-1 i. Jesus by being himself baptized, has in the most unequivocal man- ner set the seal of his sanction to the ordinance, and given to it all the importance to be derived from his o^n divine example. The Holy Ghost, .y selecting the time of the Saviour s baptism for his public descent upon the Son of uod, to anoint him as the promised Messiah, has fully evinced his high and special approbation of the ordinance, a 1 c>,taa 01 uUi Xiuxcl Jesus uunst chose thia of 19 t influence med Jews, le name of 3ts5 ii. 38. gift of the 3(1 repcnt- nded them s X. 48. — the Lord, 'Arise and tbe name Being has i attention 3onscience 7, and so 1 there be ose that a i3 unim- nance can e Father, record of :areth, of . straight- s opened, m. And y beloved l. Jesus 3cal man- md given n divine le of the e Son of las fully rdinance. :ioso this time of the Redeemer's baptism as the fittest occasion to proclaim with an audible voice from heaven, that Jesus is his beloved Son in whom he is well pleased, and of giving to the world the command to hear him. What an honour is tlius'put on this gospel ordinance ! If this personal obser- vance of baptism by the Son of God, this surprising expres- sion of the Father's approbation and jf the Holy Ghost's sanction of the ordinance, will not establish the importance of haptism, then we may for ever despair of being able to prove that anything is important. Dare any man who trera^s »t God's word, say, after reading this account of baptism, that it is an imimportant ordinance ? 15. The importance of baptism is evident from its doctri- nal import and practical design. Baptism is emblematical of the most important facts — the sufferings, the death, the burial, and the resurrection of the Redeemer. — Luke xii. .jO : Romans vi. 3-5. It is symbolical of the most impor- tant change that can possibly be effected in the human character — " a death unto sin and a new birth unto right- eousness.'" — John iii. 5 : Romans vi. 3-8. Hence it is called " the washing of regeneration," — Titus iii. 5. It is the outward ^gn of a renewed heart. Baptism is^ also typical of the most important privileges that can be enjoyed by man — *' the remission of sins,*' — Acts ii. 38 ; the wash- ing away of sins by the blood of Christ, — Acts xxii. 16 : conformity to fellowship with, and interest in the Lord Jesus Christ, in the purpose and benefits of his sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection. — Rom. vi. 3-8 : Col. ii. 12. Baptism is a solemn profession of belief in the gospel, — Gal. iii. 27 : in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity,— Matt, xxviii. 19; and in the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, — 1 Cor. xv. 29. Can an ordinance, instituted by infinite wisdom to shew forth so many important facts, doctrines, privileges and duties, be an unimportant rite : As a typical ordinance, baptism is much more comprehen- sive and important than the Lord's Supper. Indeed the fy- 20 sacred writers havo allusively connected baptism with almost every thing that is dear to the Christian. 4. Whatever opinion we erring mortals may entertain of baptism, i*^ is evident the infallible Judge considers it of great importance — of so much importance that he obser- vance of it is essential to fulfil all righteousness. "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness,"— Matt. iii. 15. II we say the observance of baptism is not a part of rightet \is- ness, do we not dirictly contradict the Son of God ? If we admit it is a part of r^ghteousnt ss, cl-..os not tlmt ad- mission necessarily imply the importance of baptimn ! This it must imply, imless righteousness is unimportant. For what purpose did our Lord assign this reason for the obser- vance of baptism, if not to shew th) importance of the rite ? And for what purpose did he m ic the plural pronoun " us," if not to denote that it is important for oil his disciples, as it was for himself, to be baptized ? If the Saviour's reason for observing the ordinance be a correct one, then if we reject baptism we do not fulfil all righteousness ; we offend at least in one point, and if we wilfully do this, it ./ill be well for us to consider ho v/ far the apostles charge is -ipplicable to us: " Whosoever shr.U keep the whole lilw. and yet of- fend in one point, he is guilty of all." — James ii. 10. The following remarks of Mr. Wesley deserve attention, although in thus speaking he condemned his own practice. He says, *'Let our Lord's submitting to baptism teach us an holy exactness in the ob vn-vance of those institutions which owe their obligation merely to divine command. Surely thus i becometh all his followers to fulfil all ;';:^^t- oousness. Jesus had no sin to wash away : and vf^<: he was baptized. And God owned his ordinance, so as to make it the season of pouring forth the Holy Spirit upon him. And when can we expect this sacred etfusion, but in an humble attendance on divine appointments?" — Note on Matt. iii. 16. Mr. Wesley says in his note on Romans vi. 4, that the ancient manner of baptiziftg was by immoraioni. in order t^ there oug the divine in water. spiinklinf ncsss, ar divine la^ 5. ^^\ and it is —Matt. fore a c counviel importa them a hapiism 6. '' portani sciiptu beyonc Suppe im]ves Suppe vance ever < say, 1 ' of si recei comi Lort Son; imp tan( the: tau im] nej 21 i„t Mr Wesley justly B»y» I" order rt^a' ^-j^;" ^„ \.oly cx^^c'f ^'',.'"/"^ "„ immersion .hero ought to M » ^^^ hapU^edby an _ ,,, di>.ae co'n--i:i^,,er. or roce^vo^ ti.e r.tojy S u: ^ ^^ ,^„,„ ,,..en ; H is luo counsel of God ; 5. Baptism ^^ ^^°;^, „( a good conscience to« a a and it is " *^''"7'ue vii 3 •• ^ ^"''' • .Vtan if tUo r^^ ;oS ,■ unication fron> l^^-^^^" ^° „^" i conscience be fore a com. au important, and it a g"" , ^e m tliem a threeim b . .r Kidered an itn- portant "'^'l^^^X' form of both c^^r'n^^J' .e Lor«Vs '"■n":il "onjvfr more f-nuen^^',: ',? sdenn and beyond all comi described in a mo ^^^^^^.^ Supper r And is it n ^^^ ,„i,,tures e . ei say ^^^^^_ in,p;essive "«"■?« ;.„^> T^o tliey over ins,.-.t «" '"^ ^^^y Suppev is from ^^^:^ll\^ ^^ all rigliteons^'^^s . U J -"•'^ f • t^he'^^sS 0? a good con--- . Do tb ever call i the a ^^^ j^^^ , t,uppu > .^^^^ ^^^ say, Ref''' *":JeV ever promise He th=^t ^^^ ^^^^^^ of sins? l-^V 7„ Suimcr shall b- sa^ed ? iJ~ ^^ ^^„ reeeiveth the i^ords Su,n;_^_^^^ admin stenng to .^-^^ ^^^ command, Te->li^ ^^^ ^^ '^"t,!'. Supper is an Lord's fWX'eHoly«>-^'-" •?' ^°a tach mo^e impot- Son, and of ^^^^co^ut the scriptures attach "i .^ .^ important oijmanco t. the Lord » Supp«. ^^^ tanco to baptism ^^^^y to aav"<^» ^^ then that «»"yjs«pper, are ever >^t'=^£^°u sSful to tauce oftl^^^Vftrism'-thatmany who thin^ ^^^^ 09 l)aptism r Is it because we are apt to think that most important which is most convenient ? — because we prefer the enjoyments of the Lord's table, to the cross and shame of the Lord's baptism r VI. The connexion of Baptism with Salvation. There is a summary way in which many attempt to dispose of all that is said on the subject of baptism. They do not deny tliat it is a scripture ordinance, but they atteaipt to quiet their consciences and to justify tlioir disobedience by sayino', — " Baptism will not save us,* we can bo saved with- out it, and therefore we will not be baptized." Strange language from one who calls himself a christian I Let us examine this selfish apology for disobedience. 1. It is undoubtedly true that haptism will not save us. Jesus Christ is the only Saviour ; " for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we can be saved." But is this a sufficient apology for the neglect of baptism? If so, consider to how many things the same apology will with equal propriety apply.* The liord's Sup- per will not save us, shall we not therefore shew the Lords death ? Public worship will not save us, shall we therefore forsake the assembling of ourselves together : An obser- vance of the Sabbath will not save us, shall we therefore not reniember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy r — Searching the Scriptures will not save us, shall we therefore not look into the perfect law of liberty : Almsgiving will not save us, shall we therefore shut up our bowels of compassion r Zeal in religion will not save us, shall we therefore sleep as do others > But we need not enumerate the particulars, wc^ may sum up all in one ; no woFk, nothing that we can do, will save us, salvation is by grace and not of works ; shall we therefore live in universal disobedience ? We may ox- (;use ourselves from every act of obedience to God for the same reason, if we neglect haptism because it will not save uh. 2. He wb.o refuses to be baptized, because baptism will not save 1 uess. H condition even for considers — or to ( — or to ' his faitV iniluenc tendenc No, ev( obedien eternal this as no thin I testinic asserti baptiz< the sp ordiuJ not d< be th( to lea not h for tl ence dene kec^ if \c real the pie? te t he me J fct most prefer , sbaine dispose do not mpt to :nce bv 1 with- ^ trance Let us ave \\H. ) other can be ?lect of e sfime 'a Sup- Lord' « erefore obser- erefore irching at look •t save ission r leep as ars, wc" :an do, ; aball lay ox- for the ave u«. in \>ill 23 " OSS. He asks no less a re^^ au tu ^^^^^ ^^^, j^^. „„t condition of Ws obedience He ^.^^^ f„, o ow « even for divine love '• H^/^.^igUt i„ the law ol. Ae Loid, consideration as to P o^« W ^. . ^^^ ^^ ^„ ,,,, Goi .—or to evince it is ms "'^ „ ^ o^pol — oi to siitw Jot to exemplify Ae self-deA ^ <^ .^ 1^^^ constvaniins Ws faith by his -'oi^?g«^^/l„^, J, demonstvatctie hob influence of the °« ^^ ^ -o to honour and i^'^^^^^: tendency of divmo truth, oi ,.„coniponse tor h.» No even all these would be too P°°» ' y„ '{ess than an ^be'diei'e, he will bo -'«'- ^^^^^ .a^s t^o God, give me ternal weight of glory. H^^^-^^^^ ,,111 not obey; this as the reward of nij "^^^^''^ .'feet in the way ol h> ,otHin<- less than this will ™°;';'?L that breathes in the Sonies 1 Is not }^^:J^l Lrefore I will not be Lsertion-Baptism ^^'"rcc^.i oiv-ed more io.eignSj^o^ baptized ? Can anything b- c ^^ .^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^°%'\tl the snirit of the gospel . l^c^ ^ , ^^ eternal life does itie to dor i'-J^-^^ 24 ord!.«.nce ^^W^g yy^-lJ^T^ •? not suppose , expect to b« saveS r,v it-^buihl'-lolL',!' S. I" 'f ".°' "eca^se tHv expect to.be .™5 ^'l^fb;; bT^IureXTS/t-olX'^T:? A? ^ to be the subject/of m^ui „ ' : il^^^^^^ P«'-«0"« ought suppose the riti to hav^^ "^awig .'tt itt n,Tth^P*''f ' ^''^ believers' immersion but tlin^» ^X ' \ °'' those whopracti:;o is these and not tLe 'd o Iv ;t''T'''^"''^",''P"''''''"S• I' member of Christ, a child of S ,,! i '" -T*"-:' ^'^ '"'^><" °f i'- ^ of heaven ; -.vho ly it ^she^aL o' ^^^^^^^^^^ °/ ^"^ King'lo* ^venantofgmee, 6v is a 'ealoflhe cSt^'^TLT^'^ ''''1° ''''' tribute such a wonderfil v^.(,.r- • i^ \ • , ^ "at those who at- .ion of man, ^hoUrdtf hit !om"|;'^^ ? "■^^^ ^nven- institution of God, is a moral rnhUn v. •^, ''''■''■'''' i"'"i'^i-«on, an solution of the casukt ''" '''^"'^ '"" ""« 1»^™ ^r th., 4 ~ not Will not save us vpt xvi'tlm..^ ,.u- , -^"'''^' are many things which ™rks «ill not 2it yelTjttt^'" '^T'- I'' "^''"^ <^'^ It is quite eviden' bU's r vii ^ "^i' ""' ^""^ ''°'^'- evident w can be saveH ;■.;:" C'r If'bff'' f '"' '>""<' ded bv God, and that it ■■« ;o ,, ™H'6n;- It baptism be commi.n- .11 contradic'tionl thlV f'^-e e X ' v; '' ^Tfl^ P"-^'' ^^y'"'^ be saved withom obedience to God An^ y*°"' ^P"™' ^-^ «•" priety of such scrinlures as the fi,ll„^" '! " t' *''*''* '" ^^^ l''"- perfect, became the author of .^ following ..--Jesus " being made obey him. He that iTaith I k^lTt' ""'""JT ""'» all them that mandments, is a Ikr Tnd ihe ,n„.T • '"'. ^"' •''^'^P"^"' not his corn- tie Lord 01 r God raise ununt^^l, '%"°' '".'"'",• ^ P'^P^^t sliall I>im shall ye Cr in aU tlW^ ^l? f^""'' t'''"'.''^''' '^^ "«<> "".e,- And it shall coTe t^^^si S ev^"'':rT \'- t^l'^V ""'° J""' prophet, shall be de^trave'd from 7^1 ?J "'"''^ "''", "°' ''^"r that «s great delight in hn^r^ff • ? ""^ P^^P'®- "ath the Lord voice of the ford rZm^ "T Tl^^'iS^es. »« in obeying the barken than the fct of rams ^1?^;!;,'^ ''"'T "^" jacrifice,' a,fd ,o state of mind as , ill S to » cW f I'^L^? "^"'^^ ''"'^°"' """h a u as »ui lead to a cheerful obedience to all the knowH I .i law live in dls- suppose the ^cause th*y •11 of God. I the Lord sons ou^ht Jd. IfRiy ho pracu: ikling. It U'ect of it a e kingdom ^s into tho se who at- ere invent lersion, an ve for tho )tism will quite dia- lot nrcos- igs which !• Good )d workp. 'lot quite commim- 8 beyond », we can the pro- ng made lem that his) com- het sliall into me ; nto you. lear that 'he Lord ylng the and to t such a } knowH i f 25 Hill of God. None can be aavert -tho wilfully continue in ff^^ tnce to one of God's command., knowing it to be a oommand.of God. G«l saveTnone i.ho will not submit to hh authority. If, therefore, wc know that God haa commanded us to he baptized, and we wdl not be bantized, while in such a state of mmd we cannot be saved. a Cse'who sav.thoy ..>n be r^ved without tept,smshoudc„, Bder on what eridence thev found such opinion. Ihe autl.or of eternal Jvation hr.s said, "He that believet; artd^is baptired shall te ™vecU' But has he ever said He that beheveth and ,. not bap- tized shall l!« saved? Can such a promise be found m »") P"' "' the New Testament? Would not such a pronuse ™l>ly *" t^^f words " is baptized," in the great gospel commission have no mea - ke'-that they are mere sound without sense ? Accordmg to thi. Amission thl persons to be tepti.ed are "^^^^^\^f„f J,^^^ baptized ; and the scriptures nowhere teach another «^J^ ^ "^^^ Jthev never give the slightest imimalion that any who wilf"' > "^g- krt iL^Usm fan be saved. No one has a ^^^^tuml ^^"anUo e^^ pect salvation if he refu.s to be baptized 1^ '^^f "^/h" '"?P?^ t^mt God's word encourages us to eicnect «« ™V,"" J, ^™/ ''^h? Ixiptized, while it positively, cmmamb us *« b« l«l>t^f^«- ^""^ scriptures offer no such premu.m °» '^'^''^'''''"^^ *° ''•' f X, they mai^ds. " Blessed are they that do his '=°™"»"™'>" '' ^."^l ,,^^ may havo a right to tiie tree of life, and may enter n through llit ga OS int. the*'eit-" "^- — "- •''»' ^''^ ""*° "'*' ^ '"'''' .1 fti s";U enler\So t^XgSofTea;^'. i;;;rhe-that doeth the w m ot- mv fS which ;s iu hea.-en." As bap^sm . comman<> incompatable with that et»t. Je!t- a ^-l ™™^ disregard of it is of eteiml ^™ LS^^Wesav hi"'!.!.'''''' ''"™"*« the expectation correspondence of what is ,toL „n t>,/°"' P^^'T^ ""^^'^d ">« letter ^f the law, and thrt:S[monT rfto""^ "''' *' ""'""'"'' profeS o?a P 'TtTidsllTrl''"'^ >'5' '^'" *''^'^<' "» » delay not to keep the commandment of rt? V ""^* '"^'^ ""'^ and blood, but 3eny vouTself tefe? ,n\? '' """'^-^not with flesh footsteps of Jesus -L forth tnK ' •.?' 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