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VICTORIA COLLEGE 
 
 7.^ v.- I 
 
 
 Zaoh, 6 Cts. ; Per Doz., 45 Cts. ; Per Hundred, 93.60. 
 
A PRACTICAL CATECHISM 
 
 ON 
 
 BAPTISM. 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN LAING, M.A., D.D. 
 
 Pastor of Knox Church, DunJas. 
 
 TORONTO: 
 
 WILLIAM BRu;(;s, 
 
 WE^l.EY liLU.DlSaS. 
 Montreal : C. W. Coate.s. Halifax : S. F. Hukstis. 
 
 ,. ' 
 
Entkred acconlint' to Act, of the I'arlianient of Canada, in the year one 
 thousatid eiKht hundred and ninety-seven, hy William Bkh.os, at tlie 
 De)>arv lent of Atfriculture. 
 
 
 
PRHPACli. 
 
 
 This tract in cutuchetical foini is inteiuled as a })iac- 
 tical guide t<» the dMctrine and practice <»f Christian bap- 
 tism, which may he put int«> the hands of catechumens 
 and of parents when, f«)r the first time, tliey apply for 
 tlie baptism of their children. 
 
 The author has long felt the need of some such 
 treatise ; not to take the jdace of those excellent large 
 works which vindicate Pjetlobaijtism, but to instruct 
 our people as to the scri})tural authority, which alone is 
 the basis of our Presbyterian doctrine and ]»ractice. 
 
 Baptism in the congregation on the Lord's day, as 
 part of Divine worshi}», is in many jdaces fast disappear- 
 in*'. This is nnich to be lamented ; as in this way that 
 m<»st appropriate opportunity, formerly enjoyed by our 
 people for receiving needed instruction, is thereby lost. 
 Also, this solenni ordinance instituted by Christ is be- 
 coming, in the eyes of many, a mere "church institution," 
 in which children receive their names, but Avhich has not 
 the authority and sancti«)n of Ood ; or a worthless rem- 
 nant of Romish su})erstition, which intelligent disciples of 
 the Lord shoidd eschew. 
 
Theclejir, l«»,!,'irHl dftiuitions ..f uur Westminster stand- 
 arils on the suhject of l)jii»tisni are given, not us possess- 
 ing auth.uity of themselves, Imt because they rest on and 
 ;i,v fair deducti..ns fmm the Word of (Jod. Argtnnents 
 from history and tradition are not given, because, how- 
 ever strong they may l)e, they have n<. f..rce apart from 
 Scripture. Nevertheless, the all l>ut universal practice 
 of the churches in all places, and from the first, shoidd 
 have weight, especially when we consider what the few 
 exceptiims are, vi/. : ..ne .»r tw.. sects in the post-apostolic 
 ages, the Anal)aptists of the Reformation era, the several 
 sects of moilern Baptists, and Brethrenism in its various 
 
 phases. " 
 
 'Phis hook goes forth with the prayer that it >nay he 
 useful t<» many who desire to kn<.\v the mind of dod 
 regarding i)aptism, and the privileges which belong to 
 their children, born as they are within the covenant <.f 
 grace, and in (iod's account from their birth members of 
 
 tile visible church of Christ. 
 
 John L.\iN«i. 
 
 Dfndas, Ont., May, 1807. 
 
 I 
 
A CATECHISM ON BAPTISM. 
 
 All that NVf know concern iii,y; Christian Baptism 
 is to be learned t'roni the New Testament Scriptures. 
 That Bible teaching,' is found shortly statecl in the 
 Westminster standards; and stuue of these state- 
 ments are ^iven below for the information of any 
 who desire to know what the Presbyterian Church 
 holds as the Bible doctrin<' of Christian Bai)tisni. 
 
 
 The Nature and Institution of Christian 
 
 Baptism. 
 
 Baptism i; a sjicrament : that is ;i holy tadinance 
 instituted by t'hrist ; wherein the wasliing with water, 
 in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the 
 Holy Ghost, (l<»th signify and seal ovn- engrafting into 
 Christ and parbvking of the benetits of the covenant <»f 
 grace and our engagement to be the Lord's. (Sht>rter 
 Catechism, <|uesti«ms U2 and t)4.) 
 
 1, Whcd is <ra Ordhiaiice 'f 
 
 Ana. Something ai>pointed by (i«>d to he done or ob- 
 served. (Gen. xvii. 10-14; Ex. xiii. 7, 10; Matt, xxviii. 
 19-20; 1 Cor. xi. 23-2().) 
 
 2. When (ind hij irlunn ir<is Chrididn Bapti.sni uppoudud 
 or instituted !f 
 
 Am. Just before our Lord Jesus Cln•i^st ascended to 
 the right hand of God, he counuanded his apostles, say- 
 ing (R.V.), "All authority has been given unto me in 
 heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make dis- 
 ciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the 
 Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matt, 
 xxviii. 18-20.) 
 
6 
 
 .'1 /.s Chri'ih'ilinij n pntper txiuui for the rd i no »■>'>• ■ 
 
 An.i. No. To "Christen," meHns to make one a C/hris- 
 tiun; and many think that as at baptism, the name used 
 formerly to he given to the child for the first time, so to 
 christen merely means to give the name, l»y which as a 
 Christian he shall afterwanls he known. Thus the spirit 
 ual import of baptism is utterly ignored. Then the term 
 "Christen" is not found in Scripture. It comes from 
 the Church of Rome, which teaches that ba))tism ett'ects 
 a change in the nature (<f the person bapti/.ed ; and that 
 no grown pei*son or infant who dies unbapti/ed can enter 
 heaven. The Church of England, also teaches that ba}»- 
 tisui makes a change in the person ba|>ti/,ed. In the 
 Catechism it is said, "My godfathers and godmothers 
 gave me my name in my ba[)tism, wherein 1 was made 
 a member of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor 
 <»f the kingdoni of heaven." Seeing, therefore, that the 
 wor<l "(/hristen" has no scriptural sanction, ignores the 
 spiritual element in bai)tisni, tends to inculcate the doc- 
 trine of salvation by the rite of baj»tism, and otherwise 
 to mislead, it should not be used. 
 
 4. If Baptism does nof .srur, or rogeiierote, or girp. the 
 name, of irliat use is it ? 
 
 Aus. It is an outward and sensible sign -that is, a 
 sign perceived by the senses— and a seal of the benefits 
 whicli are bestowed by Christ on all his true disciples. 
 
 5. What benefits of the covenant of (jrace are partiru. 
 lavUj si(fnijicd and set forth in, Baptism f 
 
 Ans. Union to Christ ; the forgiveness of sins ; and the 
 removal (»f our sinful nature. More generally, as the 
 object of washing is to cleanse, .so ba[)tism signifies 
 cleansing from the guilt of sin by the atoning l)lood of 
 Christ, and from the polluting power thereof by the 
 Holy Spirit's work within the l)eliever. Both of these 
 benefits are bestowed on all who are spiritually united to 
 Christ by faith, and consecrated to Him. The water 
 outwardly ajiplied to the flesh thus becomes the synd)ol 
 of God's solving grace applied inwardly to the .soul. (Gal. 
 iii. 27 ; Col. ii. 11, 12 ; 1 Peter iii. 21 ; Rom. vi. 1-11.) 
 
 i 
 
r>. Wlnii inr II mini's sins fniifiicit. (tnd his lii-oil if 
 uiin'd ! 
 
 Ans. Wlion lie uccepts Cluist as his Sh\ iour uiul truly 
 repents, turning from sin to (lod. 
 
 7. Who then shmihl In- alhnnd thi jnlrlli'iji' of Lhtisfinii 
 Dtijt'nUl 'f 
 
 Aiitt. All \»li<> profess fiiith in ('hri^w and obedience to 
 Hiiu on helmlf of themselves and theii' ott'sjirintj; with 
 them. 
 
 8. Midi not (f imni profess to on-vpt Christ «(•« his Lmd, 
 OHil to ottfij Hhn. who Is nut trnlii n rhilil of (uxt / 
 
 Ans. Yes. Our L<.rd tells us so (Matt. vii. 21-2:i), 
 and thus many in all churches are baptized who are not 
 true Christians. Such was Simon Mugus. (Acts viii, 
 l.S, 21 ; see also Uom. ii. 2H ; Phil. iii. 18.) X<» minister 
 of Christ can know the heart ; (Jod alone c<in judge 
 whether a man is sincere. The Scri|)t\ire does n«»t teach 
 "Believer Baptism," hut baptism «»n profession, or 
 "Professor Bai)tism." (Acts viii. 'M, and chaj). xix. 5.) 
 
 i). Aftrr a moti hns lici'n lioptl.fd Is hi- o inontn'r of thi- 
 Chorrhof Christ r 
 
 Ans. Yes ; and his life shouhl be consistent with his 
 [)rofessi(m and privilege. (Acts ii. 41-47 ; Ron). .\ii. 
 1 ; Eph, iv. 1.) It is, however, «»f the visible church 
 only that he becomes a member after baptism ; and in it 
 there are many unconverted persons who are unworthy 
 members thereof, liaptism does not ])ut a man into the 
 invisible church (.f God. (Phil. iii. 18 ; Rev. chaps, ii. 
 and iii.) 
 
 10. Which was the first rlsllde rhnrckf 
 
 Am. The church in Jerusalem, which was formed by 
 the apostles on the day of Pentecost, and consisted c)f 
 the three thousand persons who w^ere on that day bap- 
 tized. (Acts ii. 41, 42, 47 ; viii. 1.) 
 
 11. Wos not the chnn of Bonn- the first chnrch, ns 
 lioman Cot holies assert ? 
 
 Ans. No; far from it. Besides the first in Jerusalem 
 there were other churches founded as in Samaria, Csesarea, 
 
Antioch Jiiul (»ther cities in Asia by the apostles years 
 before there was one in Rome. (Acts viii. 14-17 ; x. 47, 
 48; xi. 22-2B; xiii. 1.) 
 
 12, Was there not a chnrch before the day of Penteront 'f 
 Ans. Yes. (Matt, xviii. 17 ; Acts -/n. .'38.) God 
 always had his church, called out of and sei)arate from 
 the world. Under the Mosjiic disjiensation the visible 
 church was the people f»f Israel, organized according to 
 the law of God. Of this .lewish church Jesus Christ 
 and his apostles were members. 
 
 Ki. Were Jesus oml the apostles received into that rhmrh 
 Inj baptism '{ 
 
 Ans. No. They were ))orn in the church ; and when 
 eight days old they receiveil the rite of circumcision as a 
 token or sensible sign of the covenant which (Jod had 
 made with Abraham and his descendants; and a "seal 
 of the righteousness of faith" (Rom. iv. 11), of ccmse- 
 cration to God (Geii. xvii. 9-14), and of spiritual cleans- 
 ing and putting away of the tilth of the tiesh. (Col. iii. 
 10; 1 Peter iii. 21.) 
 
 14. Were not Jesus and His Disciples baptir:ed before tiif 
 da 11 of Pentecost. 
 
 Ans. Yes. Jesus was baptized >)y John the Baptist, 
 some of the apostles also (Matt. iii. 13-17 ; John i. 35, 
 40); l)ut we are not told that tliey all were. The l)aptism 
 of John, however, was not Christian baptism, antl had 
 nothing to d<» with the Christian (^hurch. 
 
 15. Whiinot'/ 
 
 Ans. Because, (1) The Baptism of ,Iesus by John 
 was allowed so as ''to fultil all righteousness " (Matt. iii. 
 15), that is to fultil the ceremonial righteousness reijuired 
 by thii law of Moses. It c<»uld not in the case of the 
 Holy Son of God signify the remission of sins, or his ad- 
 mission nito the Church which was not to be estjiblished 
 till three years after. (2) .John, when baj)tizing, told 
 the people to exjjcct another and higher baptism by 
 Him who should come after him, "with spirit and tire," 
 when the kingdtnn should have couie (Matt. iii. 11). 
 
 I 
 I 
 
I 
 
 9 
 
 (3) Neither our L<jrd nor His apostles could be^ bap- 
 tized into the name of the Father, Hon and Holy Ghost, 
 as is required in Christian baptism ; for when John was 
 baptizing, Christ had not died for sins nor risen again, 
 nor had the Holy Ghost been given. (4). Those who 
 had been " baptized into John's baptism " had afterwards 
 to be baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus " (Acts 
 xix. 3-5). (5) There was no Christian Church in the 
 time of John, nor until the day of Pentecost, of which 
 Jesus or the ai)ostles could be members. Clearly, there- 
 fore, the baptism of Jesus was not Christian baptism, 
 had not the siime meaning or significance, did not admit 
 into the visible Church of Christ, and ought not to be 
 held forth as an " example" which we are connnanded to 
 follow. 
 
 1«. Were there (Oij/ ordinances in the Jeirish church 
 irhich set forth and signijied cleanstng from sin ; that is^ 
 forgireuess and regeneration 'f 
 
 Ans. Yes. Circumcision, or the [)utting oti'of the body of 
 the tiesh (Col. ii. 11 ; Acts vii. 51) ; sacrifices for sin (Lev. 
 viii. 14 ; xvi. 3, 15, 21, 22) ; divers washings and sprnik- 
 lings (Ps. li. 7-11)- all which were connnanded by the law 
 as symbolic acts of forgiveness and spiritual purification. 
 
 17. Is baptism an act of obedience to the command of 
 oi(r Lord Jesus Christ 'i 
 
 Ans. (1) Yes ; so far as the minister of Christ in ad- 
 ministering the <»utward rite obeys His command, given 
 in Matt, xxviii. 19, to "make disciples baptizing them," 
 etc. (2) No ; so far as the person receiving baptism is 
 concerned, for he is wholb' passive in the matter, d»)es 
 nothii>g but receives for Inmself or child the outward 
 sign or seal of what (Jod has done for him in Christ 
 Jesus, and has promised to do for all who are willing tt. 
 receive His grace. Without question many receive the 
 oiitward rite who do not i>erform the act of obedience 
 implied in faith and I'epentence ; nevertheless their 
 ))aptism is valid, being the act of Christ's servant in His 
 name and by His authority. 
 
 18. //, then, baptism does not sare, nor in itself convey 
 grace, nor pnt a man into the kingdom of Ood, or into the 
 
10 
 
 risible cJmreh ; ntui if it is not <in act of oheditaice ; »';/ii/ 
 .should it be observed : 
 
 Ans. Bucause Christ has coinnianded his servants to 
 whom lie has entrusted the gospel message, to put on 
 those who pi'ofess to be his disciples this sign and seal of 
 the covenant which proclaims (1) Discipleship, (2) Union 
 to Christ, (.S) Pardon and cleansing— which tilings are 
 true in the experience of every real Christian. Moreover, 
 when baptism is received in faith it becomes ett'ectual as 
 a means of grace l)y the working of Christ's spirit in the 
 reci[)ient. Without faith and the baptism of the Holy 
 Spirit baptism with water effects nothing. 
 
 IT. 
 Baptism of Infants. 
 
 " Baptisni 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 infants descended from 
 parents, either both or one of whom, professing faith in 
 Christ and obedience to him, are in that respect within 
 the covenant and to be baptized." (Larger Catechism, 
 (piestion KUJ.) 
 
 19. Should Infants be Baptized 'i 
 
 Ans. The Scriptures teach that the children of Chris- 
 tian parents should be baptized. As appeal's from wliat 
 follows : (1) As the parent is Christ's, s(j is the offspring 
 (Ezek. xviii. 4, ; xvi. 21); the child is "not unclean, 
 but holy," having right of access to God (1 Cor. vii. 14) ; 
 and being claimed by God as his, ought to be formally 
 dedicated to Him. 
 
 (2) Infants were received by Christ, and he declared 
 that to "them belongs the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matt, 
 xix. 14.) 
 
 (.S) As children who belong to God, they are to be 
 " orought u[) in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." 
 (Eph. vi. 4 ; Duet. vi. 7) ; and they are interested in the 
 promise of the covenant. (Acts ii. J39.) 
 
1 
 
 II 
 
 (4) Infants are saved by God's grace through the media- 
 tion of Christ, and should receive the sign of that salva- 
 tion. 
 
 (5) Households were baptized by the apostles. For 
 beyond (juestion among the Jews, children, if there were 
 any in the family, were included in the household, and 
 were circumcised along with their fathers (Gen. xvii. 24- 
 27 ; xxi. 4 ; Josh. v. 2, 8) ; also, as the Christian church 
 is more extended than was the Jewish, including women 
 expressly and Gentiles, so surely it is not made narrower 
 l)y excluding children. (Acts xvi. 15; xxxiii. chaj). ; x. 
 48; 1 Cor. i. J() ; Luke xix. \).) 
 
 20. Is thetr anil pafistKje of Script i(n:. in which it i.s e.>- 
 presshj fitted thai I}ifants u-ere Baptized f 
 
 Ans. No ; not as far as Christian baptism is co)icerned. 
 liut in 1 Corinthians x. 2, it is said of the Israelites that 
 when they i)assed through tlie Red Sea they were " All 
 bai)tized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." Surely 
 this bai)tism included the infants. Further, there is no 
 mention made hi the Acts of a child of Christian parents, 
 brought up in the nurture of the Lord, being baptized 
 when grown uj) on his own |>rofession ; all the cases 
 recorded were of Jews, »)r i)roselytes, or heathen with 
 their households. And yet, before the boc'; of Acts was 
 written, thousands of Christian children nnist have grown 
 to full membership in the churches of Christ. 
 
 21. But infants rannat undeydanit irkat />• done to 
 them, nor prof esfi faith ami repentance, of nhat use fhen 
 can }K(pti'<m t>e in their case f 
 
 Ans. The same «»bjection lies against God's ordinance 
 of circumcision which was observed when the child was 
 eight days old. Nevertheless every Israelitish child had 
 by birth aright to all the ])rivileges of the Abraiiamio 
 and Mosaic covenants, and was under oldigation to per- 
 f(>rm every duty. "The promise was to them" as to 
 their fathers. (Acts ii. :V.).) In like manner children 
 under the new covenant, being born within the chinch (tf 
 (xod, have a right to all its jn-ivileges ; also CHa-istian 
 parents come under solenni obligatiitn to brhig uj) then- 
 children as children of (Jt»d, and in the baptism of their 
 
12 
 
 c»tfK{>ring have a sign and seal (»f God's ccjvenant promise 
 t(» he the (Jod of their children and to sjive them if tliey 
 use the appointed means of grace. 
 
 22. What benefit can a child u-hieh is not converted get 
 from being baptized '/ 
 
 Ans. (1) Adults may not be converted when they 
 believe, nevertheless it is the duty of Christ's minister to 
 baptize them when they profess faith in Christ and 
 (•bedience ; and such ba})tism is valid. In like manner, 
 although a child is not conscious of being converted, its 
 baptism is proper, valid baptism. (2) Further, an in- 
 fant may be regenerated by (xod's gracu, although as yet 
 <iuite unconscious of God's work, and may grow uj) 
 loving and obeying the Lord from its earliest years, and 
 partaking of all the spiritual benefits of which its baptism 
 was the sign and seal. It is therefore proj>er to put on 
 infants the seal <»f the covenant under which they are 
 saved. ^ 
 
 TTT. 
 The Mode of Baptism. 
 
 "Dipping (»f the person into the water is not neces- 
 sary; "but baptism is rightly administered by pouring 
 or sprinkling water uj)on the perscm." (Confession of 
 Faith, chaj). xxviii. ; sec. 3.) 
 
 23. Hoir is baptism to be tidministe) ed '^ 
 
 Ans. By apj)lying water to tlie person in the name of 
 the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Acts x. 47.) 
 
 24. Is not baptism by immersion propeiiy baptism'/ 
 Ans. Yes. Although by this mode water is not ap- 
 
 ])lied to the perstm, l)ut the perscm is applied to the 
 water. Notwithstanding this difference spiritual cleans- 
 ing is thereby signified, and the spiritual blessings of 
 union with Christ in his death to sin, in his rising again 
 to newness of life, in his se[)aration for a world spirit- 
 ually dead, together witli forgiveness of sin and renewal 
 
 \ 
 
i:i 
 
 \ 
 
 of nsiture are symbolized and sealed. (Rom. vi. 1-11 ; 
 Ool. ii. 11-15 ; 1 Peter iii. 21.) Hence it is valid baptism. 
 
 25. What other mode of baptism is there '/ 
 Alls. According to Scripture baptism is said to be 
 effected by pouring and sprinkling (Acts i. 5 ; ii. 17 ; 
 Matt. iii. 11 ; Mark vii. 3, 4 ; 2 Kings iii. 11 ; Luke xi. 
 .'38 ; John ii. H). In this way the outward rite of cere- 
 monial cleansing was j)erformed. 
 
 2(>. But in <ill instnnees of baptism recorded in the Nevi 
 Testament was not the bodtj put tinder water 'i 
 
 Ans. No, indeed ; on the contrary very far from this. 
 1. There is not a [)ass}ige in the New Testament where any 
 one is said to have been piit wholly under water. The 
 pa.ssages which are supposed to state this are : (1) Acts 
 viii. 38, in which it is said, "They both went down into 
 the water, both IMiilip and the eunuch ; and he baptized 
 him." (R. V.) But a careful reader will see that what is 
 stated is that the two men went down from the chariot 
 which was standing l)eside the water and in which they 
 had been sitting (v. 31.) to the water so as to be able to 
 reach and use it ; then Philij) administered the ordinance, 
 after which they both came up again from the water, and 
 the eunuch at least went up into his chariot. But nothing 
 is said of wading into deep water (if there was such) or of 
 one being {)ut under water ])y the other. All tliis is 
 mere inference. '= (2) Romans vi. 4, where it is said, 
 " Buried with hhn ))y baptism," and which is taken to 
 ■ mean, " put under water as Christ was put under ground. " 
 That this cannot be the {)roi)er meaning appears clear 
 ((f) when the proper, full translation of the passage is 
 
 * In John, 20th chapter, the Greek preposition ^7^ is 
 translated, verse 1, /'/t., xinto, verse 8, /o*m/7/,s(R.V.) verse 4, 
 to (i.e. up to), verse 0, info and in. This shows that the mean- 
 iiigof this preposition must, in any particular passage, be deter- 
 mined by the context. liut iux; never means doum under, 
 nor does tK ever mean up from ander ; yet tliis must be the 
 meaning of these two words if the passage states that in 
 baptism the eunuch was put down under water and lifted 
 again up fiom imder it. 
 
14 
 
 ;^ivt!ii, (•/'.., V. 3, **As iiiaiiy hs wciu haittiz-od iiit(» Christ, 
 wt'io bupti/.etl into his (Ic.ith, " not into watci', hut spirit- 
 ually into (lying with Him ; v. 4, " We were, theref(ae, 
 hmied with him through " ((5/«, hy means of) " the bap- 
 tism — into death " (not water l)aptism at all), that is the 
 spiritual death spoken of in verse li. The effect of which 
 is to separate from this sinful world as burial separates 
 from the natural world, so that we shall live no Ion: er 
 therein, as the f(»llowing context shows. (h) Fi.mi 
 what is certain, r/v., that if "buried with him" means 
 that the l)ody was put under water iriHt Christ, it is not 
 a fact ; for (Mirist was not physically under the water 
 with the man when He was j)ut under. In l)aptism, 
 h(»wever, Christ is spiritually present t«» faith This 
 ba|)tisui, then, can be only spiritual, not bodily with 
 water. (c) In verse 5 it is further said, "If we have 
 become united with him by the likeness of his death, we 
 shall be also by the likeness of his resurrection ; know- 
 ing this, that our (»ld man was rrurijietf with hiui that the 
 body <tf sin may be »ione away, that we should no longer 
 be in ])ondage t<» sin " (R.\'.), and S(» on to verse 11, all 
 of which shows that the death and new life are spiritual, 
 and are not connected with putting under water phy- 
 sically. {l^) Col. ii. 11. Here the c<mtext clearly shows 
 that a s|)iritual union is intended, not a dii)[)ing under 
 water. "In Christ ye were circumcised with a circum- 
 cision not uiade with hands, in the putting oft' of the body 
 of the flesh //( the clrcinncisioH of ClnLst, having been 
 buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye were raised 
 with him through faith in the working of (iod, who 
 raised him from the dead." (R. V.) 'The circumcision 
 of Christ" cannot mean the administrati(,n of that rite t(» 
 the child Jesus when he was eight days old ; it clearly 
 means (-hristian circumcision ; a s])iritual experience 
 when a man puts oft' the sins of the flesh ; this the 
 apostle calls " being buried with him in ba^jtism," and, 
 he adds, that the Christian is also "raised with him 
 through the faith," etc. To take the phrase "buried in 
 baptisui " out of its context and to assert that it means 
 put bodily under water by man and lifted out again by 
 man, is surely to pervert the AN'ord of (iod. 
 
 4 
 
 
 — ■«. 
 
15 
 
 2. There are jtassages in wliich it is luttst probable 
 that water was brought to the person and poured on him, 
 and hijfnly improbable that he was taken to a (piantity <>f 
 water and put vuuler it. 
 
 (1) Acts ix. 1'.). Paul had been for three days con- 
 fined to the house Idind, and had eaten nothing, when 
 Ananias siiid "arise and be baptizetl. ' (Acts xxii. 1(5.) 
 And he arose and was Iwipti/ed, and he took food and 
 was strengthened. (Acts ix. 19.) Was it at all probalde 
 that in the circumstances he was innuersed under water f 
 
 (2) Acts X, 47. The company was assembled in a 
 room when " the Hcdy (ihost fell on ' them ; and Peter 
 said, "Can any man forbid the water, that these should 
 n<»t be bapti/>ed . . . and he commanded them tt» be 
 bajttized."' Surely it is far more probal)le that water was 
 l)r<iught into tlie room and poured on them than that the 
 whole company went (jut to a river or ]»ond to be im- 
 mersed. 
 
 (.'i) Acts \vi. 'M\. The jailor at Philij)pi, after his con- 
 version, "took them the same hour of the night and 
 washetl their strij)es, and was baptized, he and all his, 
 immediately." From this it apj)eais that there was 
 water in the j)rison with which the wountls of Paul and 
 Silas had been washed. Is it not more than probable 
 that the same water was used to ])apti/e the jailor ! 
 Surely infinitely more probable than that at midnight 
 the soldier took out his two prisoners, with bleeding ])acks, 
 away from the prison to some river that he might ])e put 
 under water by them, and afterwards l)rought them into 
 his iiouse. 
 
 .S. There are pass;iges in which l)aj)tism is spoken of in 
 sucli a way as to exclude the idea of iunnersion under 
 water. Such as Matt, xxviii. 19, where " bapti/.ing 
 into the name of the Father, etc., occurs ; Acts xix. .S, 
 Info what were you baptized '. ami they said into John'n 
 baptism (v. 5), and when they heard this they were ))ap- 
 tized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 1 Cor. x. li, they 
 were ba})tized into Moses. ' Thus into is used to denote 
 the eliect of i)aptism, but not the mode ; we never tin«l 
 baptized into water, far less under water. Again, in 
 Matt. iv. 11. we find ba[»tize with (tv) water and with (n) 
 
1() 
 
 tlie spirit ; also rho dfitive (»f instrument used, Init never 
 (eig) into or (»''t'>) un<ler with the word baptize. 
 
 (4) In 1 Cor. x. 2. "They were all hajitized into (tir) 
 Moses in (n) the eloud and (n) tlie .sea." While it is 
 beyond (jue.stion that they were not dip})e<l into the cloud, 
 the nioi.sture n)ight have fallen on them. (Psalm Ixviii. 8.) 
 Nor were they innnersed in the .sea, for they walked on 
 dry land wliile their enemies .sank as lead, and the watei's 
 covered them. Here, surely is l)aptism l)y cloud and 
 sea, but certainly no immersion under and raising uj» 
 from under w iter. 
 
 27. Should (dl irho hare received Christ lo)( boptiaia be 
 iickiiuwledaed us disciples i' 
 
 A lis. Yes. Whatever the work of admini.stration may 
 have been, and whatever denomination they may belong 
 to, all Christian l)aptism is to be respected ; for the virtue 
 of the sacrament does not depend on the outward rite, 
 the person ministering, or the particular form u.sed, 
 provided always that the administrator has been com- 
 missi<med bv a church of Christ, and water has been 
 ajiplied with the words of institution. 
 
 28. Slundd an;/ one irho lias been bnpti:xd vitJidmir 
 from church felUnrship, or wall: nnn'orthilii, is he to be 
 regarded as no lotajer a disciple? 
 
 Ans. No. Unless he openly ren(^unces the Lord, and 
 allegiance to Him, or is formally exconununicated. There 
 are many mo.st unworthy ujembers of the visible church. 
 (Phil. iii. 18; 2 Thess. iii. 14; 1 Cor. v. 5; 1 John v. 1(>.) 
 Baptized persons should be affectionately dealt with, and 
 if they fall should be warned of their danger, and sub- 
 jected to godly discijjline with a view to their restoration 
 that their souls may be .saved in the day of the Lord. 
 
 
 
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