WCF 28.4
Westminster Confession of Faith
28.4. 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 baptized.
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?
- WSC Q95 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q166 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q95 · WLC Q166 · WLC Q149 · WSC Q88 · BC 8.1 · BC 8.2 · BC 8.3 · HC Q65 · 1689 28.1 · SD 28.1 · IAR 7.1 · SC60 6.1 · SC60 6.2 · SC60 6.3 · SC60 6.4 · SC60 6.5 · SHC 6.1 · SHC 6.2 · IAR 8.1 · SC60 7.1 · SC60 7.2 · SC60 7.3 · SHC 7.1 · SHC 7.2 · SHC 7.3
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): These Sections teach — 476 CONFESSION OF FAirH. 1st. That grace and salvation are not so inseparably united to baptism that only the baptized are saved, or that all the baptized are saved. 2d. That, nevertheless, it is a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, for that its observance is commanded, and, in the right use of it, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost to such (whether of age or infants) as the grace belongeth unto. 3d. That the efficacy of baptism, even in cases in which the grace signified is really conveyed, is not tied down to the moment of time wherein the sacrament is administered, but…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): This section relates to the subjects of baptism. That baptism is to be administered to all adult persons who profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him, and who have not been baptized in their infancy, is admitted by all who acknowledge the divine institution of this ordinance. But there are many who confidently assert that baptism ought to be confined to adidts. These were originally called Anabaptists, because they rebaptized those Avho had received baptism in their infancy, and Antiptedobaptists, because they were opposed to the baptism of infants. They now assume the name of Baptists ; but this designation we cannot concede to them, if it be intended to insinuate that others do not baptize, and are…