Lesson #95: Baptism Administered

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Shorter Catechism Q & A #95

Q. To whom is baptism to be administered?

A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized.

Memorize Q&A—Exposition

Baptism, as a sign and seal of the grace of God, reveals our entrance into the invisible and universal church, revealing the truth of our salvation by becoming “members of the visible church,” through remission of sin and confession of our faith in Christ Jesus and our “obedience to him.” Both believers and their children are to baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19), recognizing the Covenant established by the Triune God (Gen. 17:7).

What does it mean?

Discuss the act of faith in relationship to baptism—Acts 8:36-37, 2:38

Discuss the administration of Baptism to adults and infants—Acts 38-39, Gen. 17:10, Col. 2:11- 12, 1 Cor. 7:14

Discuss the following verses in relationship to:

• Reception of God’s Word—Acts 2:41
• The Covenant of Grace—Gen. 17:7, 10
• Abraham’s seed—Gal. 3:17-18, 29
• Gift of the Holy Spirit—Acts 2:38-39

What is our practice?

Our practice is one of thanksgiving and obedience to the Word of God, rejoicing in the union established in Christ and with Christ, by the Spirit, with the Father as his very own adopted children.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“When we as parents remember the sign of salvation applied to our children, it is a call to raise them as God directed. Our children are not our own. God gave them to us as He gave every other thing we have. We are stewards. Thus, we are to raise our children as God directs. Otherwise, we deny His ownership.”… “The Bible teaches that the sign of salvation is to be applied to the children of believing parents. In the Old Testament, circumcision was the sign. In the New Testament, baptism is the sign. The baptism of our children symbolizes the reality that they are set apart in the sight of God. In this baptism, parents covenant to raise their children by the directions of their Lord. Such a baptism calls a child from his earliest days to confess Christ as his Savior.

“It is God who initiated, drew the terms of, and seals His covenant with His people. He graciously binds Himself to the promises of His Word. And He calls His children and His children’s children to keep His covenant and know His blessing from generation to generation.” (John P. Sartelle, Infant Baptism, pp 21-22)

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