CHAPTER 29

OF BAPTISM

1 Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ to be unto the party baptised 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 newness of life; which ordinance is by Christ’s own appointment to be continued in his Church until the end of the world.

2 The outward element to be used in this ordinance, is water, wherewith the party is to be baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the gospel lawfully called.

3 Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person.

4 Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptised, and those only.

5 Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it; or that all that are baptised are undoubtedly regenerated.

6 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 belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God’s own will in his appointed time.

7 Baptism is but once to be administered to any person.

Go to Chapter 30 – Of the Lord’s Supper

Go to Chapter 28 – Of the Church

Go to Contents – The Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order 1658

Here is a sermon prepared by Mr Bradley for the Philippines Churches.  It is part of a series of commentary on each chapter of the Savoy Declaration.  We trust each one may also be helpful here in the UK.