Who Should Be Baptized? by Robert Fisher

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM A Comparison of the Westminster Confession of Faith (28.1) and the London Baptist Confession of Faith (29.1) WCF 28:1 Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament, 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. LBC 29:1 Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized, a sign of his fellowship with him in his death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into him; of remission of sins; and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM Biblical Considerations A.Union With Christ (Ingrafted Into Him) Romans 6.3-5; Colossians 2.12; Galatians 3.27 B.Remission of Sins Acts 2.38; Acts 22.16; Ephesians 1.7 (The remission of sins is based upon union with Christ.) C.Devotion of New Life to God Romans 6.4 D.Identification With the Triune God Matthew

THE PROPER SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM Baptism in the Biblical Texts A. Directions Regarding Baptism 4 texts - all directives require or assume profession of faith B. Descriptions of Actual Baptisms 11 baptism events - all instances of an individual’s baptism follow profession of faith C. Details of Household Baptisms 5 households - all where details are given indicate household conversions and household baptism Who should be baptized? Those who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and desire to publically express their union with Christ and their determination to give themselves up to God through Him.

THE PROPER SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM Baptism in Biblical Theology (History of Redemption) A. The Bible Covenants 1. The Adamic Covenant – Genesis The Noahic Covenant – Genesis The Abrahamic Covenant – Genesis 12, 15, The Mosaic Covenant – Exodus 20 ff, (“The Old Covenant” Galatians , Hebrews 8- 10, 2Co3.4-18) 5. The Davidic Covenant – 2 Samuel The New Covenant – “The Better Covenant” Jeremiah 31-32, Ezekiel 34-37, Hebrews

THE PROPER SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM Baptism in Biblical Theology (History of Redemption) B.The Biblical Covenants in Covenant Theology Paedo-Baptists stress the unity of the one covenant of grace = baptism like circumcision Baptists stress discontinuity in the covenant of grace = different objects of circumcision and baptism Covenant of WorksCovenant of Grace Creation Fall Adamic Noahic Abrahamic Mosaic Davidic New Consummation Biblical Covenants in Covenant Theology

THE PROPER SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM Baptism in Biblical Theology (History of Redemption) C.The Biblical Covenants in The History of Redemption 1. The Biblical covenants are all in effect until the consummation - except Mosaic Covenant 2. The Biblical covenants run concurrently with each other - except in the instance where the Mosaic is replaced by the New Covenant 3. The Biblical covenants are built upon each other and have an organic unity 4. The Biblical covenants also have some discontinuity with each other Adamic Noahic Abrahamic Mosaic Davidic New Biblical Covenants in the History of Redemption

THE PROPER SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM Baptism in Biblical Theology (History of Redemption) D. Baptism and Discontinuity Between the Biblical Covenants 1. The New Covenant is Different From the Abrahamic Covenant and Mosaic Covenant in it’s Effect or Efficacy - The New Covenant effects and guarantees the salvation of all it’s members; the Abrahamic Covenant and Mosaic Covenant did not. 2. The New Covenant is Different From the Abrahamic Covenant in That It Enhances The Abrahamic Covenant Promises - The Abrahamic Covenant promises a seed and defines it as Abraham’s physical decedents - The New Covenant enhances this promise and defines the seed as Christ and all in Christ 3. The New Covenant has a different sign than the Abrahamic Covenant Baptism signifies the baptized person’s identification with the triune God, his saving union with Christ, the remission of his sins and of his giving himself up to God. Circumcision signified covenant privilege but not the actual salvation of the one circumcised.

Conclusion Who should be baptized? If baptism is the sign of the New Covenant, who are the proper recipients of baptism? 1.Those who are members of the New Covenant 2.Those who are the spiritual seed of Abraham 3.Those who personally evidence what baptism signifies