To whom is baptism to be administered?
Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other.
Proofs
- Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God, (Acts 2:38; Matthew 3:6)
- faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other. (Acts 8:12, 36β38; 10:47β48)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is baptism to be administered to such who repent?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: It is the baptism of repentance, (Mark 1:4)
And to all such?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Repent and be baptized every one of you, (Acts 2:37)
And to none but such?
Answer: No.
Proof: O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Matthew 3:7)
Should this repentance be actually professed?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They were baptized in Jordan, confessing their sins, (Matthew 3:6)
And appear in its fruits?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Bring forth fruits meet for repentance, (Matthew 3:8)
And have the worst of sinners upon their repentance a right to baptism?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Then came also publicans to be baptized, (Luke 3:12)
Practical response
Should faith be before baptism?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The Corinthians believed and were baptized, (Acts 18:8)
Will a credible profession of faith justify the administration of this ordinance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For Simon Magus believed and was baptized, (Acts 8:13)
But will real faith only justify a submission to it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest, (Acts 8:37)
And will the ordinance be unavailable where faith is wanting?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For whatsoever is not of faith is sin, (Romans 14:23)
Section 3
Must persons first be taught before they are baptized?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Go teach all nations, baptizing them, (Matthew 28:19)
And appear to be partakers of the Holy Ghost?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Acts 10:47)
And gladly receive the word?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They that gladly received the word were baptized, (Acts 2:41)
And discover a disposition to obey?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Men and brethren, what shall we do? And Peter said, repent and be baptized, (Acts 2:37)
Practical response
Should baptism be a matter of choice in those that submit to it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: See there is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? (Acts 8:36)
And their own act and deed?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They went out to him and were baptized, (Mark 1:5)
And the answer of a good conscience?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For baptism saveth us, as it is the answer of a good conscience towards God, (1 Peter 3:21)
And where these qualifications are wanting, should baptism be refused?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Give not that which is holy unto dogs, (Matthew 7:6)