Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament [new covenant], ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church; but also to be unto him 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 sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world.
The Confession starts its consideration of baptism by reviewing some of the characteristics of a sacrament discussed in the previous chapter:
1. Directly ordained by Jesus Christ.
2. A sign and seal of the covenant of grace
Here baptism is also said to be a sign and seal of the recipient's union with Christ, of his spiritual regeneration, of the remission of his sins, and his sanctification. These are heady statements that will need careful consideration as the discussion of baptism proceeds further.
Baptism as a new covenant ordinance is commanded to be observed perpetually until the return of our Lord.
Tomorrow: The method of baptism.
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2 comments:
How can baptizing infants be a sign and seal of the covenant of grace?
People only enter into a covenantal relationship with God when they are united with Christ! How can this be with infants?
Hi, Matt. Interesting, isn't it, that I should be covering this portion of the Confession when we're discussing baptism on your blog as well.
There is a more complete answer coming up in the sixth paragraph of this chapter, but let me observe for the moment that the infants of believing parents who are presented for baptism are indeed part of the covenant community of God, just as the infants circumcised by believing Israel were members of the covenant community by virtue of receiving the outward sign. Baptism is not so much about the beliefs of the recipient as it is about the promises of God. IOW, we look to God in faithful obedience to his commands, trusting that he will do what is right in the lives of persons receiving baptism.
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