Westminster 1647

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Of Baptism

Of Baptism

Of Baptism - Chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith

  1. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,525 not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church,526 but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,527 of his ingrafting into Christ,528 of regeneration,529 of remission of sins,530 and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life:531 which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in his Church until the end of the world.532

    • 525. Matthew 28:19.
    • 526. 1 Corinthians 12:13.
    • 527. Romans 4:11.
    • Colossians 2:11,12.
    • 528. Galatians 3:27.
    • Romans 6:5.
    • 529. Titus 3:5.
    • 530. Mark 1:4.
    • 531. Romans 6:3,4.
    • 532. Matthew 28:19,20.

  2. 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.

    • 533. Matthew 3:11.
    • John 1:33.
    • Matthew 28:19,20.

  3. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person.535

    • 535. Hebrews 9:10,19,20,21,22.
    • Acts 2:41.
    • Acts 16:33.
    • Mark 7:4.

  4. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ,536 but also the infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptized.537

    • 536. Mark 16:15,16.
    • Acts 8:37,38.
    • 537. Genesis 17:7-9.
    • Galatians 3:9,14.
    • Colossians 2:11,12.
    • Acts 2:38,39.

  5. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance,538 yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it,539 or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.540

    • 538. Luke 7:30.
    • Exodus 4:24-26.
    • 539. Romans 4:11.
    • 540. Acts 8:13,23.

  6. The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered;541 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 belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God's own will, in his appointed time.542

    • 541. John 3:5,8.
    • 542. Galatians 3:27.
    • Titus 3:5.

  7. The sacrament of baptism is but once to be administered to any person.543

    • 543. Titus 3:5.