Westminster Confession of Faith

Chapter XXVIII

Of Baptism

1
Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,522 not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church;523 but also, to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,524 of his ingrafting into Christ,525 of regeneration,526 of remission of sins,527 and of his giving up unto God through Jesus Christ, to walk in the newness of life.528 Which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world.529
522
Matthew 28:19
523
1 Corinthians 12:13
524
Colossians 2:11-12Romans 4:11
525
Galatians 3:27Romans 6:5
526
Titus 3:5
527
Mark 1:4
528
Romans 6:3-4
529
Matthew 28:19-20
2
The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the Gospel, lawfully called thereunto.530
530
Matthew 3:11John 1:33Matthew 28:19-20
3
Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but Baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person.531
531
Hebrews 9:19-22Mark 7:4Acts 16:33Acts 2:41Hebrews 9:10
4
Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ,532 but also the infants of one or both believing parents, are to be baptized.533
532
Mark 16:15-16Acts 8:37-38
533
Luke 18:15Mark 10:13-16Matthew 28:191 Corinthians 7:14Romans 4:11-12Acts 2:38-39Galatians 3:14Galatians 3:9Genesis 17:9-10Genesis 17:7Colossians 2:11-12
5
Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance,534 yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it;535 or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.536
534
Luke 7:30Exodus 4:24-26
535
Acts 10:45Acts 10:47Acts 10:31Acts 10:22Acts 10:4Acts 10:2Romans 4:11
536
Acts 8:13Acts 8:23
6
The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered;537 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.538
537
John 3:5John 3:8
538
Galatians 3:27Titus 3:5Ephesians 5:25-26Acts 2:38Acts 2:41
7
The sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered unto any person.539
539
Titus 3:5
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