A Scripture Catechism, Chapter 17
Chap. 17. Of Baptiſme.
Q. IS Baptiſme with water to be uſed as an ordinary meanes of Salvation?
A. Matth. 28.19, 20. Goe ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt.—And loe, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world. Tit. 3.5.—According to his mercy he ſaved us, by the waſhing of Regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghoſt. 1 Pet. 3.21. The like figure whereunto even Baptiſme doth alſo now ſave us, &c. Act. 2.38, 41. Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jeſus Chriſt, for the remiſſion of ſinnes, and ye ſhall receive the gift of the Holy Ghoſt. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: & the ſame day there were added unto thē about 3000 ſoules. Act. 22.16. And now why tarrieſt thou? ariſe, and be baptized, and waſh away thy ſinnes, calling on the name of the Lord.
Q. What if a man believe, and have the ſpirit, is it to any end to baptize him?
A. Act. 8.36, 37, 38. And the Eunuch ſaid, See here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip ſaid, if thou believeſt with all thine heart, thou mayeſt. And he anſwered, and ſaid, I believe that Jeſus is the Son of God.—And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch, and he baptized him. Act. 10.47, 48. Can any man forbid water that theſe ſhould not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghoſt, as well as we: And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Q. May thoſe whom Chriſt ſends forth to preach, alſo Baptize?
A. Math. 28.19, 20. Goe ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt. Teaching them to obſerve all things, whatſoever I have commanded you, and loe, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Q. Did John Baptiſt baptize of his own head? or the baptiſme of John was it from heaven? did God ſend him to baptize with water?
A. Joh. 1.33. And I knew him not, but he that ſent me to baptize with water, the ſame ſaid unto me, upon whom thou ſhalt ſee the ſpirit deſcending, and remaining on him, the ſame is he, which baptizeth with the Holy Ghoſt.
Q. Did John baptize in his own name, or in the name of Chriſt the Meſſiah?
A. Act. 19.4. Then ſaid Paul, John verily baptized with the baptiſme of repentance, ſaying unto the people, that they ſhould believe on him which ſhould come after him, that is, on Chriſt Jeſus.
Q. Is preaching or baptizing the chief worke to be attended?
A. 1 Cor. 1.14, 17. I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Criſpus and Gaius. For Chriſt ſent me not to baptize, but to preach the Goſpell.
Q. Is Baptiſme a way and mean of admitting diſciples or ſchollars to Chriſt?
A. Math. 28.19. Goe ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt. Act. 2.41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the ſame day there were added unto thē about 3000 ſouls. Joh. 4.1, 2. When the Lord knew how the Phariſees had heard that Jeſus made & baptized mo diſciples than John (though Jeſus himſelfe baptized not, but his diſciples) Act. 19.4. John verily baptized with the baptiſme of Repentance, ſaying unto the people, that they ſhould believe on him, which ſhould come after him, that is, on Chriſt Jeſus.
Q. Is it a Scripture argument or motive to be Baptized, becauſe the promiſe belongs to us?
A. Act. 2.39. For the promiſe is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God ſhall call.
Q. Doth the promiſe belong to the children of believing parents?
A. Gal. 3.16. Now to Abraham & his ſeed were the promiſes made. He ſaith not, And to ſeeds, as of many; but as of one: And to thy ſeed which is Chriſt.
Q. Are thoſe who have received the Holy Ghoſt, capable of Baptiſme?
A. See Act. 10.47. Can any man forbid water that theſe ſhould not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghoſt, as well as we?
Q. Is there any difference 'twixt the children of believing parents, and of heathens, or Infidels?
A. See 1 Cor. 7.14. For the unbelieving husband is ſanctified by the wife, & the unbelieving wife is ſanctified by the husband, elſe were your children unclean, but now are they holy, ſee Galath. 2.15. See Rom. 11.16.
Q. Hath God any praiſe or glory from babes and ſucklings?
A. Pſal. 8.2. compared with Math. 21.15, 16. Out of the mouth of Babes & ſucklings haſt thou ordained ſtrength, becauſe of thine enemies, that thou mighteſt ſtill the enemy and the avenger. And when the chief Prieſts and Scribes ſaw the wonderfull things that he did, and the children crying in the Temple, and ſaying▪ Hoſanna to the Son of David, they were ſore diſpleaſed; And ſaid unto him, Heareſt thou what theſe ſay? And Jeſus ſayth unto them, yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of Babes and ſucklings thou haſt perfected praiſe?
Q. Was it ever the cuſtome of the Jewes according to Gods own command to preſent Infants to the Lord at his Temple or place of publique worſhip?
A. Luk. 2.22, 23. And when the daye of her purification, according to the Law of Moſes, were accompliſhed they brought him to Jeruſalem, to preſent him to the Lord. As it is written in the Law of the Lord, every male that openeth the womb ſhall be called holy to the Lord.