WCF 28.5
Westminster Confession of Faith
28.5. 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 baptized 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?
- 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 Q167 · 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 affirms — 1. That baptism is not of such absolute necessity to salvation, that none can be saved without it. God has not made baptism and faith equally necessary. — Mark xvi. 16. The penitent thief was saved without being baptized. But baptism is an instituted means of salvation, and the contempt of it must be a great sin on the part of the parents, though the neglect cannot be ascribed to the child before he arrives at maturity, and cannot, therefore, involve him in the guilt. 2. That baptism is not regeneration, nor are all who are baptized undoubtedly regenerated. That the baptism of water is regeneration, and that every person duly baptized is born again, is…