XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that Christian baptism is (a) the immersion in water of a believer; (b)
in the name of the Father the Son, and the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the
local church; (c) to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the
crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection
to a new life; (d) that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation
and to the Lord's supper; (e) in which the members of the church, by the sacred
use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love
of Christ; (f) preceded always by solemn self-examination.
* * * * * * * * * *
*** (a) Acts 8:36-39. "And the eunuch said,
See here is water; what cloth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou
believes" with all thine heart, thou mayest .. And they went down both into
the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come
up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip."
Matt. 3:6. "And were baptized of him in Jordan,
confessing their sins."
John 3:23. "And John also was baptizing in Aenon
near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."
Rom. 6:4-5. "Therefore we are buried with him
by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory
of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been
planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness
of his resurrection."
Matt. 3:16. "And Jesus, when he was baptized,
went up straightway out of the water...."
*** (b) Matt. 28:19. "Baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
*** (c) Rom. 6:3-5. "Know ye not, that so many
of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore
we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness
of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall
be also in the likeness of his resurrection."
Col. 2:12. "Buried with him in baptism, wherein
also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised
him from the dead."
*** (d) Acts 2:41-42. "Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about
three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
Matt. 28:19-20. "Go ye therefore and teach ad
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and
lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
*** (e) I Cor. 11:23-28. "The Lord Jesus the
same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he
brake it, and said, Take, eat: for this is my body, which is broken for you: this
do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had
supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as
ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink
this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come."
*** (f) I Cor. 11:27-28. "Wherefore whosoever
shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty
of the body and blood of the Lord But let a man examine himself, and so let him
eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."
Next: XV. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS