SD 29.4
Savoy Declaration
29.4. Of Baptism
Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptised, and those only.
Proof texts
- Mark 16:15, 16 — [15] And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. [16] Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
- Acts 8:37, 38 — [38] And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
- Gen. 17:7, 9, 10 with Gal. 3:9, 14 and Col. 2:11, 12 & Acts 2:38, 39 & Rom. 4:11, 12
- 1 Cor. 7:14 — [14] For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
- Matt. 28:19 — [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
- Mark 10:13, 14, 15, 16 — [13] And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. [14] But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. [15] Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” [16] And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
- Luke 18:15 — [15] Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Mark 16:15, 16 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 7 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 27.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 1689 28.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?