The PuritanBoard - Paedo-Baptism Answers http://www.puritanboard.com/ A place where only paedobaptists may answer questions posed to clarify the Confessional understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:01:15 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.puritanboard.com/images/retro/misc/rss.jpg The PuritanBoard - Paedo-Baptism Answers http://www.puritanboard.com/ A Question on Baptism and WCF 28 http://www.puritanboard.com/f122/question-baptism-wcf-28-a-55286/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:55:46 GMT I'm posting this in the paedo-baptism forum for the sole reason that since the WCF is paedo this would be the right place...

My question is concerning WCF 28.1 & 28.6. Here are the relevant passages:

Quote:
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 the newness of life. Which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world. (WCF 28.1)

The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; 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 belongs unto, according to the counsel of God's own will, in His appointed time. (WCF 28.6)
Regarding article 1 where it says "not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church," does this mean that at the very least baptism is seen as an entrance rite (for lack of a better phrase) into the visible church (i.e., membership)? In other words, we would all agree that not all that are in the church are in the church. Similarly, not all who are baptized into the church are baptized into Christ. Is that a correct understanding?

Related to the above question in article 6, it says, "The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered." As this would pertain to infants (this would be the obvious illustration), is the understanding that when an infant is baptized we are not to understand that the full benefits of the covenant of grace (see art. 1) are conferred to the infant at that time, but only when God, in his sovereign grace, effectually calls said infant later in life?

Also in article 6, what is meant by "the right use of this ordinance?"

Thanks! ]]> Paedo-Baptism Answers carlgobelman http://www.puritanboard.com/f122/question-baptism-wcf-28-a-55286/ Applying the water... http://www.puritanboard.com/f122/applying-water-55186/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:17:11 GMT When you are baptizing someone (in any mode) do you apply the water 3 times (once for each name of the Trinity)? Or do you just apply the water once? Is there a precident in Reformed practice? And what is the basis for it? When you are baptizing someone (in any mode) do you apply the water 3 times (once for each name of the Trinity)? Or do you just apply the water once?

Is there a precident in Reformed practice? And what is the basis for it? ]]> Paedo-Baptism Answers Puritan Sailor http://www.puritanboard.com/f122/applying-water-55186/ <![CDATA[How Old is Too Old for "Paedo-Baptism"?]]> http://www.puritanboard.com/f122/how-old-too-old-paedo-baptism-55143/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:47:56 GMT I've been thinking about this issue quite a bit given all of the baptism talk going on here today. I am a member of a church that practices paedo-baptism due to their old German Reformed Evangelical roots. They are more of a conservative evangelical church now that emphasizes credo-baptism, but still practices paedo-baptism.

I've been a believer for eight years and was baptized about five years ago by full immersion. Being raised in a baptist home, I have always been a credo-baptist until recently. When I was baptized, my children were 11 & 9 and now they're 16 & 14. Seeing that I am coming around to the paedo-baptist view and seeing that they're still 'under my roof,' should I have them baptized? Or given their teenage status, should they make their own profession of faith and be baptized? ]]> Paedo-Baptism Answers carlgobelman http://www.puritanboard.com/f122/how-old-too-old-paedo-baptism-55143/