REFORMED BAPTIST TEACHING HANDOUT
Confessional, Pastoral, and Biblical Reference Sheet
¶1 — Baptism as a New Testament Ordinance
Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ. It is a sign of fellowship with Him in His death and resurrection, of engrafting into Him, of remission of sins, and of walking in newness of life. It is not only for the profession of faith, but is a solemn act of entering into the covenant community.
Rom. 6:3–5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27; Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16
¶2 — The Proper Subjects of Baptism
Those who do actually profess repentance towards God, faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ are the only proper subjects of this ordinance. Baptism is administered to those who give credible evidence of saving grace — not to infants, who cannot so profess.
Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36–37; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8
¶3 — The Outward Element and Triune Formula
The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, wherein the person is to be baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Matt. 28:19–20; Acts 8:38
¶4 — The Mode: Immersion
Immersion — that is, the dipping of the person in water — is necessary to the due administration of this ordinance. The symbolism of burial and resurrection, and the meaning of the Greek baptizo, together with the biblical narratives, require this mode and no other.
Matt. 3:16; John 3:23
"Baptism is not a saving ordinance, but a confessing one — the first public step of a soul that has already been united to Christ by faith."
— Confessional summary of 2LBC 29
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