It is analogous to OT sacrament of circumcision which is administered once.

Baptism is administered once. As long as it is administerd correctly as we have looked at from earlier confessions: with water, in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and performed with a minister of the gospel, it is to be recognized as a valid baptism.

Because it only needs to be administered once, baptism is recognized among different Christian denominations and churches. So if you were baptized in the Baptist church, going to a Presbyterian church would not invalidate your original baptism.

Historical precedence includes John Calvin who even after the reformation, considered his baptism in the Roman Catholic church a valid baptism and did not get “re-baptized.”

This also applies to infant baptisms. Even as the child grows into a fuller understanding of the gospel, the child does not need another baptism. Rather, the baptism is God’s promise to that child and to her parents of God’s saving grace.

Let’s read this confession together.

7. The sacrament of baptism is to be administered only once to any person.

Related posts:

1. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 4
2. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 2
3. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 5

Today’s confession speaks against sacerdotalism meaning baptism in itself does not have any power, the sacrament doesn’t infuse any grace to its recipients. In other words, sacerdotalism claims that one is saved through the sacraments.

Main points:

Baptism doesn’t save, Jesus saves.
Baptism doesn’t regenerate, Holy Spirit regenerates
YET neglecting Baptism is a great sin.

The act of physical water baptism doesn’t save, it is a sign that points us to the spiritual reality of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Example of this is in the end of Luke, the thief on the cross ask Jesus to “remember me when you come into your kingdom” Jesus responds, today you will be with me in paradise. The thief was not baptized, and was saved because his faith was in Christ.

There are some that are baptized who are not necessarily regenerated. We see an example in acts where Simon the Sorcerer is baptized but he did it to gain money and fame.

So if it doesn’t save, and doesn’t regenerate, what’s the point of doing it?

It is commanded by our Lord… Jesus says, if you love me, you will obey my commands. It is an act of love to Jesus.

It is also a means of grace, grace is promised to us in baptism and is exhibited and conferred to us through the Holy Spirit.

So if your faith is in Christ, do not neglect this means of grace for you.

5. Although it is a great sin to despise or neglect this ordinance, nevertheless, grace and salvation are not so inseparably connected with it that a person cannot be regenerated or saved without it. Neither is it true that all who are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.

Related posts:

1. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 2
2. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 7
3. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 4

What then about infants? Today’s confession points us to infants born to one or both believing parent are to be baptized.

Here are the main reasons for infants to be baptized.

1. Since an infant is under the care of the parent, parents are called to bring them to God, into the covenant community.

2. Every covenant God has ever formed with Mankind has included the child. We see examples of this in Genesis with Adam; with Noah with Abraham; again with Israel through Moses; and even in the New Testament in Acts, God’s promises are for to these men and to their offspring; their children; their seed.

3. In the OT, the sign of the covenant was circumcision of infant males, not at the choice of the infant, but based on the faith of their parents-they were circumcised.

4. In a similar way, the NT the sign and seal of the covenant is baptism.

So, let me ask you this, have you been washed by the blood of the Lamb? Are your sins forgiven by Christ? Have you died with Christ and risen by faith to walk in newness of life? Does the Spirit of Christ dwell in you? Is the law being written on your heart? Come, signify this in baptism, and glorify God’s great new covenant work in your life… for you and your household.

4. Not only those who personally profess faith in and obedience to Christ, but also the infants of one or both believing parents, are to be baptized.

Related posts:

1. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 2
2. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 7
3. Reformed view on baptism

All sacraments have two elements, an outward visible sign and an inward (spiritual) sign.

The design of Baptism is to signify, seal, and confer to those who belong to Christ, it symbolizes washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, where we are united to Christ and made participants in all his redemptive grace including forgiveness of sins and newness of life… Last week we looked at the inward spiritual sign.

This week, we look at the outward elements of baptism. Baptism with water symbolizes baptism by the Holy Spirit. Christ instituted the baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, because salvation involves all three persons of the Godhead, so we too are to be baptized in the name of our triune God.

It is a sign and reminder for us as believers as well as a testimony to the world as to what God has done for us in salvation…

For those who have not partaken in this means of grace, I encourage you to be baptized in order to profess what Christ has done for you and as an act of obedience to Christ.

Related posts:

1. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 7
2. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 5
3. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 4

Of the number of those who were baptized in infancy as members of the Church of God by birthright, and as heirs of the covenant promises, the Session has examined and approved (call them by name), who come now to assume for themselves the full privileges and responsibilities of their inheritance in the household of faith.

If there be present any candidates for Baptism, the minister may state that:

As applicants for admission into the Church of God by Baptism, which is a sign and seal of our engrafting into Christ, and of our engagement to be the Lord’s, the Session has examined and approved (call them by name), who are cordially welcomed into the fellowship of the household of faith.

(All of) you being here present to make a public profession of faith, are to assent to the following declarations and promises, by which you enter into a solemn covenant with God and His Church.

1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?

2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?

3. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?

4. Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?

5. Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?

Related posts:

1. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 4
2. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 7
3. Humble Orthodoxy

For the messianic people to escape the destructive aspect of the messiah’s own baptism of holy spirit and fire, for them to be saved from fire, (even for there to be a messianic people), eschatological judgment, for this to happen, there needs to be a messiah that must go through eschatological judgment that the sins his people deserves. Because of that he emerges triumphant from this baptism ordeal as that happens. He must be baptized with condemnation and curse. When the messianic baptizer comes to baptize his people, just as he promised he would, when that happens, fire must happens.

Tongues as of fire that rests on each one. How are we to understand that sign? Very frequently the fire-tongue as symbolizing the refining or purifying aspect of the spirit’s work. Also the empowering of the spirit. The fire of destruction has been exhausted, abated. The fire is there but does not destroy or harm. The fire has been domesticated. Spirit and fire had both connotations…

In as much as the outpouring of the spirit has clear affinities with the messianic ordeal, the death and resurrection of Christ. Cross and resurrection belongs together. Pentecost has the efficacious empowering of the church for service, but also the effective demonstration that the church is subject to God’s wrath. What takes place during Pentecost, with background of who Jesus is, both baptizer and baptized, the church is no longer under condemnation, the church is the justified people of God.

The dove descending breaks the air
With flame of incandescent terror
Of which the tongues declare
The one discharge from sin and error.
The only hope, or else despair
Lies in the choice of pyre of pyre—
To be redeemed from fire by fire.

Who then devised the torment? Love.
Love is the unfamiliar Name
Behind the hands that wove
The intolerable shirt of flame
Which human power cannot remove.
We only live, only suspire
Consumed by either fire or fire.

- TS Elliot, Little Giddling

Related posts:

1. Biblical Theology (cont’d)
2. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 7
3. Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 28, Section 2