Of Baptism
Savoy Declaration · 29.1–29.7
29.1. Of Baptism
Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ to be unto the party baptised a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God through Jesus Christ to walk in newness of life; which ordinance is by Christ's own appointment to be continued in his Church until the end of the world.
Proof texts
- 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,
- 1 Cor. 12:13 — [13] For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
- Rom. 4:11 with Col. 2:11, 12
- Gal. 3:27 — [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
- Rom. 6:5 — [5] For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
- Tit. 3:5
- Mark 1:4 — [4] John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
- Rom. 6:3, 4 — [3] Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
- Matt. 28:19, 20 — [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, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 28:19 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 9 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?
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29.2. Of Baptism
The outward element to be used in this ordinance, is water, wherewith the party is to be baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the gospel lawfully called.
Proof texts
- Matt. 3:11 — [11] “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
- John 1:33 — [33] I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
- Matt. 28:19, 20 — [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, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 3:11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 3 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?
Read alongside
29.3. Of Baptism
Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person.
Proof texts
- Heb. 9:10, 19, 20, 21, 22 — [10] but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. [19] For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, [20] saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” [21] And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. [22] Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
- Acts 2:41 — [41] So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
- Acts 16:33 — [33] And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
- Mark 7:4 — [4] and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches. )
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Heb. 9:10, 19, 20, 21, 22 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 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?
Read alongside
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?
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29.5. Of Baptism
Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it; or that all that are baptised are undoubtedly regenerated.
Proof texts
- Luke 7:30 with Exod. 4:24, 25, 26
- Rom. 4:11 — [11] He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,
- Acts 10:2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47 — [2] a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. [4] And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. [22] And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” [31] and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. [45] And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. [47] “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
- Acts 8:13, 23 — [13] Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. [23] For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Luke 7:30 with Exod. 4:24, 25, 26 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 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?
Read alongside
29.6. Of Baptism
The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; 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.
Proof texts
- John 3:5, 8 — [5] Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. [8] The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
- Gal. 3:27 — [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
- Titus 3:5 — [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
- Eph. 5:25, 26 — [25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
- Acts 2:38, 41 — [38] And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [41] So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited John 3:5, 8 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 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?
Read alongside
29.7. Of Baptism
Baptism is but once to be administered to any person.
Proof texts
- Titus 3:5 — [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Titus 3:5 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 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?