WCF 28.7

Westminster Confession of Faith

28.7. Of Baptism

The sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered unto any person.

Proof texts

For discussion

  1. The Assembly cited Titus 3:5 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
  2. WSC Q95 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
  3. WLC Q167 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
  4. The Assembly divided over this: The Children of Believers and the Sign of the Covenant. Who belongs in the visible covenant, and what is the sign? What turns on the answer?

Read alongside

WSC Q95 · 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): 1. Tlie efficacy of baptism is not confined to the moment of administration; but though not effectual at the time it is 292 CONFESSION OF FAITH. QcHAP. XXIX. administered, it may afterwards be effectual, through the working of the Spirit. — John iii. 5, 8. 2. Baptism is not to be administered to any person oftener than once. This is plain from the nature of the ordinance. It is a solemn admission of the person baptized as a member of the visible Church; and though those that "walk disorderly" are to be cast out, yet there is no hint in Scripture that, when re-admitted, they are to be baptized again. The thing signified by baptism cannot be repeated, and the…