Westminster Confession, Chapter 28
Of Baptism
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 newness of life: which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in his Church until the end of the world.
Scripture references for paragraph 1
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 28:1919Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 4:1111And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.
Colossians 2:11-1211In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands.
12And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.
1 Corinthians 12:1313For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
Titus 3:55He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:55For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.
Galatians 3:2727For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Romans 6:3-43Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
4We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.
Mark 1:44John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 28:19-2019Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
20and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the gospel lawfully called thereunto.
Scripture references for paragraph 2
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 3:1111I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Matthew 28:19-2019Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
20and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
John 1:3333I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person.
Scripture references for paragraph 3
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Mark 7:44And on returning from the market, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions for them to observe, including the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches for dining.
Acts 2:4141Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.
Acts 16:3333At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.
Hebrews 9:1010They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.
Hebrews 9:19-2219For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people,
20saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”
21In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship.
22According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
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 baptized.
Scripture references for paragraph 4
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Mark 16:15-1615And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 8:37-3838And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
Genesis 17:77I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
Genesis 17:99God also said to Abraham, “You must keep My covenant—you and your descendants in the generations after you.
Galatians 3:99So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Galatians 3:1414He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Colossians 2:11-1211In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands.
12And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Acts 2:38-3938Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
Romans 4:11-1211And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.
12And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Matthew 28:1919Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Mark 10:13-1613Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
15Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
16And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.
Luke 18:1515Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them.
1 Corinthians 7:1414For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.
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 baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.
Scripture references for paragraph 5
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Luke 7:3030But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.
Exodus 4:24-2624Now at a lodging place along the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him.
25But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched it to Moses’ feet. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said.
26So the LORD let him alone. (When she said, “bridegroom of blood,” she was referring to the circumcision.)
Acts 8:1313Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.
Acts 8:2323For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”
Acts 10:22He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly.
Acts 10:44Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.
Acts 10:2222“Cornelius the centurion has sent us,” they said. “He is a righteous and God-fearing man with a good reputation among the whole Jewish nation. A holy angel instructed him to request your presence in his home so he could hear a message from you.”
Acts 10:3131and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God.
Acts 10:4545All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
Acts 10:4747“Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!”
Romans 4:1111And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.
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.
Scripture references for paragraph 6
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
John 3:55Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
John 3:88The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Acts 2:3838Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:4141Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.
Galatians 3:2727For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Ephesians 5:25-2625Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her
26to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
Titus 3:55He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
The sacrament of baptism is but once to be administered to any person.
Scripture references for paragraph 7
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Titus 3:55He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Source and edition
Westminster Confession. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription
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