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ÁÝ ƒ,h$ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡Xë¥XX6XÔThe€advocates€of€the€baptism€of€infants€on€the€eighth€day,€are€not€careful€to€point€out€theÐ ° Ðcondition€of€one€dying€before€the€day€fixed€for€its€baptism€Logically€if€baptism€is€the€only€meansÐ œì Ðto€secure€them€salvation,€they€are€hopelessly€lost.Ô#†6Xë¥XXXë¥e#Ô‰ I&mage<<=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ0¾?OSY_ekqwCustom5Custom51I.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.8 Þ?OSY_ekqwCustom6Custom611.1.1.1.1.1.1.!1.8 y?OU[agmsyCustom7Custom7i.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.#1.x ?OSY_ekqwCustom8Custom81.1.1.1.1.1.1.%1. öÝ ƒ,h$ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡Xë¥XX6XÔMr.€lams€was€at€this€time€a€Congregationalist,€but€afterwards€became€a€Baptist.Ô#†6Xë¥XXXë¥e#Ô Baptizo f!keNovatiansDonatistsPaterinesMoraviaWallachiaMassasoitNarragansetCanonicusMiantonomohBusherCampbellitesTunkers"Winebrennariansmediatorialbaptismarantizo cheo eis elsPedobaptistsPendletonNovatianunbaptizedVITRINGAPhilippiancentreMayenceBaptismoPedobaptist Iamspaptizepapiesvants dree vuns vaypeforepcleetle mit deyshoostspeastsPAPTIZED VOTPaschasiusRadbertRomanistsexistencesekklesia‰ I&mage<<=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ‰ I&mage<<=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ‰ I&mage<<=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ‰ I&mage<<=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ8õx?OU[agmsyCustom9Custom91.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.31.˜Canon MG6200 series Printerì . .ì 0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular6X3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)9i) ÜDôRª´DPages3|x ÿU‹ÿÿÿÿ dÝ ƒýD(ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà@#ìàò òCLARENCE€LARKINó ó ÉÝ ƒ,h$ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡SXë¥XX6XÔBaptist€Year-Book,€1887.€Page€198.Ô#†6Xë¥XXSXë¥e#Ô(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman  dÝ ƒ;!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ Xë¥XX6XÔÔ‡Xë¥XX Xë¥ÔÔ€_2i_XXë¥ÔÑ€ ÑÑ8€6ë¥6XXdìdÈ8ÑÓ  ÓÔ‡x‰õv__2iÔò òÑ  ÑÑ€ À¨ÑÑ€€¨ÑÌWHY€I€AM€A€BAPTIST.ó óÔ#†_2i_vx‰õî#ÔÐ Ò" ÐÌÌÌßA€^) °°dEä — AßÐ ˜ è ÐÌÔ‡¼¼D»__2iÔBYÐ 3 ƒ ÐCLARENCE€LARKINÐ E • ÐÔ#†_2i_»¼¼Dè#ÔÌßA€^) °°dEä â AßÐ ã 3  ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÔ‡¼¼D»__2iÔð ðWe€desire€to€hear€of€thee€what€thou€thinkest:€for€as€concerning€this€sect,Ð jº Ðwe€know€that€everywhere€it€is€spoken€against.ðð€Acts€28:22Ð |Ì ÐÔ#†_2i_»¼¼DÆ#ÔÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌßA€^) °°pdE4ípAßÐ î> ÐÌÔ‡¼¼D»__2iÔEntered€according€to€an€Act€of€Congress€in€the€year€1887€by€theÐ ‰Ù! ÐAMERICAN€BAPTIST€PUBLICATION€SOCIETYÐ ›ë" ÐIn€the€Office€of€the€Library€of€Congress€Washington€DCÐ ­ý# ÐÔ#†_2i_»¼¼D#ÔÌßA€^) °°pdE4JpAßÐ K›% ÐÌÔ‡¼¼D»__2iÔPublished€October,€1902Ð æ6' ÐÔ#†_2i_»¼¼D#ÔÌÌÌÌÖ€ÿÿÖÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ 0.€)B ÐÑ À¨Ñâ  âÑ  Ñâ  âÑ  ÑÔ€Xë¥X__2iÔò òÔ‡¼¼D»XXë¥ÔCONTENTSó óÔ#† ¼¼D»»¼¼D]#ÔÔ‡¼¼D»» ¼¼DÔÔ#†Xë¥X»¼¼D©#ÔÐ ° ÐÌÓ  Óò òSUBJECT€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€PAGEó óÐ ° ÐÌÓ  ÓPrefaceà‚Ä"Ä"J(#.à4ˆÐ ˆØ ÐI.€Origin€of€the€Baptistsà‚Ä"Ä"J(#.  #à5ˆÐ t Ä ÐII.€History€of€the€Baptistsà‚Ä"Ä"J(#.– – %à6ˆÐ ` ° ÐIII.€Standing€and€Number€of€the€Baptistsà‚Ä"Ä"J(#.ZZ2à8ˆÐ L œ ÐIV.€The€Doctrines€of€the€Churchà‚Ä"Ä"J(#.ÎÎ)à9ˆÐ 8 ˆ ÐÓ  Óà  àBaptist€Creedà‚Ä"Ä"J(#.L L à9ˆÐ $ t  ÐV.€Baptismà‚`"`"I(#.>>à10ˆÐ `  ÐÓ  Óà0  àWater€Essential€to€Baptismà‚#`"`"I(#.ŽŽ)(#(##à11ˆÐ üL  Ðà0  àThe€Meaning€of€the€Word€Baptizoà‚#`"`"I(#.ÌÌ.(#(##à11ˆÐ è8  Ðà0  àThe€Practice€of€the€Early€Churchesà‚#`"`"I(#.ðð1(#(##à13ˆÐ Ô$  Ðà0  àModern€Testimonialsà‚#`"`"I(#.¼ ¼ "(#(##à14ˆÐ À  Ðà0  àÔ_ÔTheÔ_Ô€Object€of€Baptismà‚#`"`"I(#.(($(#(##à14ˆÐ ¬ü  Ðà0  àBaptism€Not€Essential€to€Salvationà‚#`"`"I(#.øø1(#(##à14ˆÐ ˜è Ðà0  àImmersion€in€Water€Essential€to€Obedienceà‚#`"`"I(#.¦¦8(#(##à15ˆÐ „Ô Ðà0  àObjections€to€Immersionà‚#`"`"I(#.ÈÈ&(#(##à16ˆÐ pÀ Ðà0  àObjection€to€Being€Re-baptizedà‚#`"`"I(#.îî-(#(##à17ˆÐ \¬ Ðà0  àð ðBut€I€Do€Not€Wish€to€Become€a€Baptistððà‚#`"`"I(#.$$6(#(##à17ˆÐ H˜ ÐØ! !ØÓ  ÓÔ_ÔVI.€Baptisteriesà‚."."H(#. à€18ˆÐ 4„ ÐVII.€Infant€Baptismà‚`"`"I(#.Ä Ä à18ˆÐ  p ÐÓ  Óà0  àReasons€Advanced€For€Infant€Baptismà‚#`"`"I(#.2(#(##à19ˆÐ  \ Ðà0  àThe€Promise€to€You€and€Your€Childrenà‚#`"`"I(#.dd3(#(##à20ˆÐ øH Ðà0  àEvils€of€Infant€Baptismà‚#`"`"I(#.RR&(#(##à20ˆÐ ä4 Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à1.òòà0¸ ` (#` (#àSecularizing€the€churchesà‚#`"`"I(#.ÈÈ2¸ (#¸ (##àóó20òòˆÐ Ð  Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àóó2.€à0¸ ` (#` (#àòòUnion€of€Church€and€Stateóóà‚#`"`"I(#.$$2¸ (#¸ (##à21ˆÐ ¼  Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à3.€òòà0¸ ` (#` (#àIt€encourages€fð!ðke€views€of€baptismà‚#`"`"I(#.ââ<¸ (#¸ (##àóó21òòˆÐ ¨ø Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àóó4.€òòà0¸ ` (#` (#àIt€injures€our€childrenóóà‚#`"`"I(#.¤¤0¸ (#¸ (##à22ˆÐ ”ä Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à5.à0¸ ` (#` (#àòòInfant€baptism€fosters€prejudicesóóà‚#`"`"I(#.üü:¸ (#¸ (##à22ˆÐ € Ð ÐØ! !ØÓ  ÓVIII.€The€Lord's€Supperà‚`"`"I(#.  !à23ˆÐ l!¼ ÐÖ€PÿÿÖÓ  Óà0  àPrerequisites€To€The€Lord's€Supperà‚#`"`"I(#.1(#(##à24ˆÐ X"¨  ÐÓ  Óà0  àà0` (#(#à1.€òòà0¸ ` (#` (#àPreach€óóto€all€men€the€gospelà‚#."."H(#.ªª5¸ (#¸ (##à€24ˆÐ D#”! Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à2.€òòà0¸ ` (#` (#àBaptize€óóall€that€believeà‚#`"`"I(#.ÚÚ1¸ (#¸ (##à24ˆÐ 0$€" ÐÓ  ÓÓ  Óà0  àà0` (#(#à3.à0¸ ` (#` (#àThen,€teach€them€òòto€observe€all€things€óówhatsoever€Ð%l #¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà ` àà ¸ àChrist€has€commandedà‚#`"`"I(#.àà-(#(##à24ˆÐ &X!$ Ðà0  àð ðBut€It€Is€the€Lord's€Tableððà‚#`"`"I(#.~~+(#(##à25ˆÐ ô&D"% Ðà0  àWho€Puts€Up€The€Bars?à‚#`"`"I(#.¢¢$(#(##à26ˆÐ à'0#& Ðà0  àEvils€Of€ð ðOpen€Communionððà‚#`"`"I(#.VV((#(##à26ˆÐ Ì($' Ðà0  àSome€Questions€Answeredà‚#`"`"I(#.||&(#(##à27ˆÐ ¸)%( Ðà0  àð ðBut€It€Will€Promote€Growth€And€Unionððà‚#`"`"I(#.445(#(##à27ˆÐ ¤*ô%) ÐÐ +à&*  ÐÑ€¨Ñâ âÑ  Ñâ âÑ  ÑÓsÓØ! !Øò òÓ  ÓÔ‡¼¼D»XXë¥ÔCONTENTSÔ#†Xë¥X»¼¼D#Ôó óÔ#† Xë¥XXXë¥ö#ÔÔ‡Xë¥XX Xë¥ÔÐ ° ÐÓ ÓÓÓÌÓ  Óò òSUBJECT€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€PAGEó óÔ#† Xë¥XXX륈#ÔÔ‡Xë¥XX Xë¥ÔÐ ° ÐÌÓÌÓÓ  ÓIX.€The€Churchà‚`"`"I(#.– – à29ˆÐ ˆØ Ðà  àChurch€Worshipà‚`"`"I(#.8 8 à31ˆÐ t Ä ÐX.€Baptism€in€the€New€Testamentà‚`"`"I(#.NN)à31ˆÐ ` ° Ðà0  à1.€òòà0` (#(#àPassages€relating€to€the€mission,€preaching€and€baptizing€of€John€the€Baptistà‚#`"`"I(#.š!š!a` (#` (##àóó31òòˆÐ L œ Ðà0  àóó2.€òòà0` (#(#àThe€baptism€of€Jesus€from€the€Four€Gospelsà‚#`"`"I(#.22>` (#` (##àóó31òòˆÐ 8 ˆ Ðà0  àóó3.€òòà0` (#(#àChrist€baptizing,€by€his€disciplesà‚#`"`"I(#.œœ6` (#` (##àóó31ˆÐ $ t  Ðà0  à4.€òòà0` (#(#àWhat€Jesus€thought€of€John€and€his€baptismà‚#`"`"I(#.$$>` (#` (##àóó31òòˆÐ `  Ðà0  àóó5.òò€Ø! !Ø€à0` (#(#àChrist€speaks€of€his€sufferings€under€the€figure€of€ð ða€baptismððà‚#`"`"I(#.øøS` (#` (##àóó31ˆÐ üL  Ðà0  à6.€òòà0` (#(#àChrist's€commission€to€his€disciplesà‚#`"`"I(#.ŠŠ8` (#` (##àóó31òòˆÐ è8  Ðà0  àØ! !Øóó7.òò€à0` (#(#àBaptism€in€the€Acts€of€the€Apostlesà‚#`"`"I(#.::7` (#` (##àóó31òòˆÐ Ô$  Ðóóà0  à8.€òòà0` (#(#àBaptism€in€the€Epistlesà‚#`"`"I(#.+` (#` (##àóó32ˆÐ  À  ÐÓàÓÓ  ÓÔ‡¼¼D»XXë¥Ôò òÑ  ÑPREFACE.ó óÔ#†Xë¥X»¼¼DÓ #ÔÐ ° ÐÌÓ  Óà  àTHIS€work€is€not€a€personal€history.€For€fifteen€years€I€was€a€layman€in€the€ProtestantÐ ° ÐEpiscopal€Church,€and€having€had€my€attention€called€to€the€òòsubjects€óóand€òòmode€óóof€Baptism,€after€twoÐ œì Ðyears€of€careful€study€of€the€subject€I€deemed€it€my€duty€to€unite€with€the€Baptists.Ð ˆØ Ðà  àIn€my€examination€of€the€subject€I€found€it€necessary€to€read€a€great€many€tracts,€pamphlets,Ð t Ä Ðand€books,€none€of€which€covered€completely€the€whole€ground.€Feeling€the€need€of€aÐ ` ° Ðcomprehensive€little€work€to€place€in€the€hands€of€young€converts,€and€those€desiring€to€know€theÐ L œ Ðdistinctive€principles€of€the€Baptists,€I€prepared€the€following€volume.€I€claim€for€it€no€originality.Ð 8 ˆ ÐIt€is€simply€a€compilation€of€facts,€and€the€arguments€of€others,€culled€from€numerous€sources€afterÐ $ t  Ðcareful€and€voluminous€reading.€But€as€he€who€could€obtain€credit€for€constructing€a€new€edificeÐ `  Ðlargely€from€old€material,€with€the€addition€of€a€little€new,€must€see€to€it€that€the€old€material€is€notÐ üL  Ðtoo€conspicuous;€and€as€I€remember€that€the€Class€of€persons€for€whom€this€is€written€care€more€toÐ è8  Ðsee€the€finished€building€€than€the€method,€manner,€and€material€of€its€construction,€I€have€arrangedÐ Ô$  Ðthe€facts€and€arguments€culled,€so€that€their€source€and€authorship€is€not€evident.Ð À  ÐÓ  Óà  àAt€the€same€time€I€have€acknowledged€my€indebtedness€to€all€who€may€recognize€theirÐ ¬ü  Ðown€offspring€in€the€garb€of€a€foreigner.Ð ˜è ÐÓ  ÓTHE€AUTHORÐ „Ô ÐÓ  ÓSEPTEMBER€1,€1887Ð  pÀ ÐÓ  Óò òI.€€ORIGIN€OF€THE€BAPTISTS.ó óÐ d ÐÌÓ  Óà  àAlmost€all€the€Anti-papist€denominations€date,€either€directly€or€indirectly,€from€theÐ <Ø ÐReformation€of€the€sixteenth€century.€The€Protestant€Episcopal,€Lutheran,€and€PresbyterianÐ ( Ä ÐChurches,€came€from€the€Roman€Catholic€Church,€and€the€Methodist€Episcopal€Church€came€fromÐ  ° Ðthe€Protestant€Episcopal€Church.Ð  œ Ðà  àThe€Baptists,€however,€do€not€date€from€the€Reformation.€Though€Anti-papists,€they€are€not,Ð ì ˆ Ðin€the€technical€and€historical€sense€of€the€word,€ð ðProtestants,ðð€though€they€have€ever€protested,€andÐ Ø t Ðdo€now€protest,€against€the€heresies€and€abominations€of€the€Romish€Church.Ð Ä ` ÐÓ  Óà  àJust€before€his€ascension,€Jesus€said€to€his€disciples:Ð °L  ÐÓ  Óà  àAll€power€is€given€unto€me€in€heaven€and€in€earth.€Go€ye€therefore,€and€teach€all€nations,Ð œ8  Ðbaptizing€them€in€the€name€of€the€Father,€and€the€Son,€and€the€Holy€Ghost.€Teaching€them€toÐ ˆ$  Ðobserve€all€things€whatsoever€I€have€commanded€you;€and,€lo,€I€am€with€you€always,€even€unto€theÐ t  Ðend€of€the€world.€Amen.€Matt€28:€18-20;€and€Mark€adds,€He€that€believeth€and€is€baptized,€shall€beÐ `ü  Ðsaved;€but€he€that€believeth€not€shall€be€damned.€Mark€16:€16.Ð Lè  ÐÓ  Óà  àThe€requirements€of€this€Divine€Commission,€are€ð!ð€Ð 8Ô  ÐÌà8  à€1.à0` Ð Ð àTo€òòpreach€óóthe€gospel€to€all€nations.Ь` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  à€2.à0` Ð Ð àTo€òòbaptize€óóthose€who€believe.Ðü˜` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  à€3.à0` Ð Ð àTo€òòteach€óóthose€who€believe€to€observe€all€things€whatsoever€ChristÐ è„ Ðcommanded.ÐÔp` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThis€the€apostles€did.€That€the€churches€they€founded€were€believed€to€be€composed€ofÐ ¬H Ðregenerated€persons,€is€evident€from€the€fact€that€they€addressed€or€referred€to€them€as€ð ðbelievers,ððÐ ˜4 Ðð ðsaints,ðð€ð ðquickened,ðð€ð ðthe€faithful,ðð€ð ðthe€redeemed,ðð€ð ðthe€sanctified,ðð€ð ðthe€saved,ðð€etc.€TheÐ „  Ðapostolic€churches€were€also€independent€bodies;€that€is,€separate€from€the€State€and€from€eachÐ p  Ðother,€and€self€governed.€They€are€spoken€of€individually€as,€ð ðthe€church€at€Jerusalem,ðð€ð ðthe€churchÐ \ø Ðat€Antioch,ðð€ð ðthe€church€at€Smyrna.ðð€They€are€spoken€of€collectively€as,€ð ðthe€churches,ðð€ð ðtheÐ Hä Ðchurches€of€Macedonia,ðð€ð ðthe€churches€of€Asia,ðð€ð ðall€the€churches.ððÐ 4 Ð Ðà  àThey€are€represented€as€electing€their€own€officers,€admitting,€expelling,€and€restoringÐ  !¼ Ðmembers,€and€acting€as€distinct,€independent€bodies.Ð  "¨ Ðà  àThere€is€a€òòremarkable€similarity€óóbetween€the€apostolic€churches€and€the€Baptist€churches€ofÐ ø"” Ðtoday,€in€their€òòmodes€and€forms€of€worship.Ð ä#€  Ðóóà  àThe€apostolic€churches€were€distinguished€for€the€plainness€and€simplicity€of€their€worship.Ð Ð$l! Ðð ðThey€had€no€magnificent€cathedrals,€gorgeously€arrayed€priesthood,€no€prescribed€ritual,€noÐ ¼%X" Ðsplendid€religious€shows,€no€pomp€of€music,€no€parade€of€images€and€paintings.ððÐ ¨&D # Ðà  àQuietly,€and€unostentatiously,€they€met€in€some€ð ðupper€room,ðð€or€other€humble€sanctuary,Ð ”'0!$ Ðto€sing,€to€pray,€to€read€and€expound€the€Scriptures,€and€to€exhort€one€another€to€faithfulness€in€theÐ €("% ÐChristian€life.Ð l)#& ÐÌØ! !Øò òÌÐ 0,Ì%) ÐÓ  Ó€II.€HISTORY€OF€THE€BAPTISTS.ó óÐ d ÐÓØ7ÓÌà  àThe€Baptists€òòclaim€to€have€descended€from€the€apostles.Ð <Ø Ðóóà  àIt€is€true€that€the€line€of€descent€cannot€always€be€traced.€Like€a€river,€that€now€and€then€inÐ ( Ä Ðits€course€is€lost€under€the€surface€of€the€ground,€and€then€makes€its€appearance€again,€the€BaptistsÐ  ° Ðclaim€that,€from€the€days€of€the€apostles€until€the€present€time,€there€have€not€been€wanting€thoseÐ  œ Ðpersons,€either€separately€or€collected€into€churches,€and€known€under€different€names,€who,€if€nowÐ ì ˆ Ðliving,€would€be€òòuniversally€recognized€as€Baptists.óóÐ Ø t Ðà  àSince€the€origin€of€the€Baptists,€long€and€eventful€ages€have€elapsed.€Some€of€them€were€agesÐ Ä ` Ðof€ignorance€and€darkness.€Men€were€afraid€to€speak€or€to€write€ð"ð€almost€to€think.€The€principlesÐ °L  Ðfor€which€the€Baptists€contended€were€fiercely€denounced€as€heresy€and€treason.€To€speak,€was€toÐ œ8  Ðbe€hushed€in€death.€Had€they€not€been€immortal,€all€vestiges€of€them,€save€in€the€records€of€courtsÐ ˆ$  Ðand€councils,€would€have€perished.€Their€existence€and€continuity€can€be€traced€down€the€ages€byÐ t  Ðð ðthe€stains€of€their€martyr's€blood,€and€the€light€of€their€martyr's€fires.ððÐ `ü  Ðà  àSince€the€days€of€the€apostles,€they€have€come€to€the€surface€in€the€Novatians,€the€Donatists,Ð Lè  Ðthe€Paulicians,€the€Paterines,€the€various€communities€of€Waldenses,€the€so-called€Anabaptists€ofÐ 8Ô  ÐGermany,€the€Mennonites,€or€Dutch€Baptists,€the€Baptists€of€England;€and€are€seen€today€in€theÐ $À ÐBaptists€distributed€all€over€the€world.Ð ¬ Ðà  àDr.€Cramp€says:€ð ðWhen€Luther€blew€the€trumpet€of€religious€freedom,€the€Baptists€came€outÐ ü˜ Ðof€their€hiding-places€to€share€in€the€general€gladness,€and€to€take€part€in€the€conflict.ððÐ è„ Ðà  àThe€Baptists€have€suffered,€in€common€with€other€Christian€denominations,€at€the€hands€ofÐ Ôp Ðwicked€rulers,€and€of€the€Roman€hierarchy.€They€have€also€suffered€by€themselves€for€their€peculiarÐ À\ Ðviews€as€Baptists,€at€the€hands€of€Lutherans,€Episcopal‚ians,€Presbyterians,€and€Congregationalists;Ð ¬H Ðand€for€no€one€thing€more€than€their€rejection€of€infant€baptism.€In€Germany€they€were€plundered,Ð ˜4 Ðthrust€into€dungeons,€banished,€and€numbers€of€them€beheaded€or€burned€alive.€Torture€wasÐ „  Ðfrequently€employed€to€wring€from€the€sufferers€the€names€and€abodes€of€their€associates,€or€to€forceÐ p  Ðthem€to€renounce€the€faith.€In€Switzerland,€in€1526,€it€was€ordered€that€if€any€baptized€others,€orÐ \ø Ðsubmitted€to€baptism€(re-baptism,€they€called€it),€they€should€be€òòdrowned€without€mercy.€óóManyÐ Hä ÐBaptist€ministers€were€drowned;€and€they€held€their€meetings€in€secret,€in€the€woods,€and€underÐ 4 Ð Ðcover€of€the€night.€Finally,€they€left€the€country€in€large€numbers,€going€to€Moravia,€where,€for€aÐ  !¼ Ðseason,€they€were€tolerated;€but€at€length€a€law€was€passed€expelling€them,€and€they€left,€some€goingÐ  "¨ Ðto€Hungary,€some€to€Transylvania,€some€to€Wallachia,€and€others€to€Poland.Ð ø"” Ðà  àIn€the€Netherlands,€the€hand€of€oppression€was€heavy€on€the€Baptists.€In€1532,€three€wereÐ ä#€  Ðburned€at€the€Hague.€By€edicts,€published€in€the€following€year,€all€persons€were€forbidden€to€harborÐ Ð$l! ÐBaptist€preachers€in€Holland;€and€Baptists€refusing€to€recant€were€to€be€slain.€The€torture€wasÐ ¼%X" Ðconstantly€resorted€to.€The€victims€were€stretched€on€the€rack,€or€thumb-screws€were€employed,€orÐ ¨&D # Ða€similar€instrument€applied€to€the€ankles.€No€regard€was€paid€to€sex,€station,€or€age.€Under€BloodyÐ ”'0!$ ÐMary,€a€good€proportion€of€the€martyr€blood€that€flowed€was€from€the€veins€of€Baptists;€and€manyÐ €("% Ðpassed€to€heaven€through€the€fire.Ð l)#& Ðà  àIn€the€early€settlements€of€America,€Church€and€State€were€united€by€law,€and€the€ChurchÐ X*ô#' Ðsustained€by€taxation€and€State€appropriations€in€Massachusetts,€Connecticut,€and€Virginia;€andÐ D+à$( Ðpersecutions€against€Dissenters€were€violent€and€severe.Ð 0,Ì%) Ðà  àIn€1620€(December€20),€the€Pilgrims€landed€on€Plymouth€Rock,€and€founded€the€first€colonyÐ d Ðin€New€England.€They€were€Independents,€or€Congregationalists;€and€on€board€the€ð ðMayflower,ððÐ Pì Ðthey€had€made€a€provision€for€the€support€of€the€church€and€ministry€by€taxation.€The€Pilgrims,€orÐ <Ø ÐPuritans,€did€not€come€to€this€country€to€establish€òòreligious€liberty;€óóthey€came€to€establish€òòtheir€ownÐ ( Ä Ðfaith,€óóand€to€exclude€all€others€from€their€colonies;€and€they€were€more€intolerant€in€their€colonialÐ  ° Ðenactments€against€Dissenters€than€either€England€or€Holland,€whence€they€had€fled€fromÐ  œ Ðpersecution.Ð ì ˆ Ðà  àRoger€Williams€landed€at€Boston,€February€5,€1631.€He€had€been€a€minister€of€the€ChurchÐ Ø t Ðof€England;€but€becoming€disgusted€with€its€corruptions,€he€sought€a€home€in€the€Puritan€colony€ofÐ Ä ` ÐMassachusetts.€But€when€he€found€the€Puritan€Church€at€Boston€still€holding€communion€with€theÐ °L  ÐChurch€of€England,€he€refused€to€unite€with€it,€and€went€to€Salem.€But€his€sentiments€were€quite€inÐ œ8  Ðadvance€of€the€Puritans.€He€boldly€preached€religious€liberty,€liberty€of€conscience,€liberty€ofÐ ˆ$  Ðworship,€and€declared€that€the€civil€magistrate€had€no€right€to€coerce€the€consciences€of€men,€norÐ t  Ðinflict€civil€penalties€upon€men€for€their€forms€of€religious€faith€and€worship.€In€January,€1636,€heÐ `ü  Ðwas€banished;€but€his€persecutors,€fearing€that€he€would€establish€another€colony,€determined€to€sendÐ Lè  Ðhim€back€to€England;€but€when€the€officers€went€to€his€home€to€arrest€him,€he€was€gone.€He€had€fledÐ 8Ô  Ðinto€the€wilderness€among€the€savages,€who€furnished€him€with€a€home.€ð ðFor€fourteen€weeks,ðð€heÐ $À Ðsays,€ð ðI€knew€not€what€bed€or€bread€did€mean.ðð€He€had€made€the€acquaintance,€and€secured€theÐ ¬ Ðfriendship€of€Massasoit,€and€the€Narraganset€chiefs,€Canonicus€and€Miantonomoh.€By€the€last€twoÐ ü˜ Ðhe€was€welcomed€to€Narraganset€Bay,€where€he€founded€the€city€of€Providence.€In€March,€1639,€heÐ è„ Ðbecame€a€Baptist,€and€was€baptized€by€one€of€his€own€members;€and€then€he€in€turn€baptized€others.Ð Ôp ÐThus€was€organized€the€òòfirst€óóBaptist€Church€in€America.€But€the€method€was€never€repeated.Ð À\ Ðà  àThough€persecuted€by€others,€the€Baptists€have€never€persecuted.€They€have€always€opposedÐ ¬H Ðthe€union€of€Church€and€State.€In€Virginia,€in€1784,€when€they€had€almost€conquered€in€theirÐ ˜4 Ðstruggle€for€religious€freedom,€a€compromise€was€proposed€in€the€form€of€the€famous€ð ðAssessmentÐ „  ÐBill.ðð€Every€one€was€to€be€taxed€to€support€religion;€but€to€have€the€liberty€of€saying€to€whichÐ p  Ðdenomination€his€tax€was€to€be€applied.€The€Baptists€saw€that€this€was€an€alliance€of€Church€andÐ \ø ÐState,€and€opposing€it,€secured€its€defeat.Ð Hä Ðà  àIn€Georgia,€in€1785,€a€law€for€the€establishment€and€support€of€religion€was€actually€passed,Ð 4 Ð Ðthrough€the€influence€of€the€Episcopalians.€It€embraced€òòall€óódenominations,€and€gave€òòall€óóequalÐ  !¼ Ðprivileges;€but€the€same€year,€the€Baptists€remonstrated€against€it,€sent€two€messengers€to€theÐ  "¨ ÐLegislature,€and€it€was€promptly€repealed.€The€first€modern€treatise€ever€written€upon€ð ðReligiousÐ ø"” ÐLiberty,ðð€was€by€Leonard€Busher,€a€Baptist,€in€1614.€Ð ä#€  ÐÓ  Óà  àThe€Baptists€have€not€only€been€the€firm€friends€of€ð ðReligious€Liberty,ðð€but€of€ð ðCivilÐ Ð$l! ÐLibertyðð€as€well.Ð ¼%X" ÐÓ  Óà  àThomas€Jefferson€had€much€to€do€in€shaping€the€government€of€Virginia,€and€of€the€UnitedÐ ¨&D # ÐStates.€He€was€not€a€Baptist,€but€he€was€brought€up€in€close€relations€to€them;€and€about€ten€yearsÐ ”'0!$ Ðbefore€the€Revolution,€he€attended,€for€several€months,€the€a€meetings€of€a€small€Baptist€church€nearÐ €("% ÐMonticello,€his€country€seat,€and€became€much€interested€in€their€church€government;€and€declaredÐ l)#& Ðthat€it€was€the€òòonly€true€democracy€óóexisting€in€the€world;€and€that€he€believed€it€would€be€the€òòbestÐ X*ô#' Ðplan€of€government€for€the€óóAmerican€Colonies.Ð D+à$( Ðà  àA€National€Constitution€for€the€United€States€was€adopted€in€1787.€Its€provisions€wereÐ 0,Ì%) Ðsatisfactory€so€far€as€they€went;€but€many€felt€that€ð ðReligious€Libertyðð€was€not€sufficiently€guarded.Ð d ÐThe€Baptist€General€Committee€of€Virginia,€in€1788,€expressed€their€disapproval€of€this€importantÐ Pì Ðomission,€and,€after€consultation€with€James€Madison,€they€wrote€to€President€Washington,€saying,Ð <Ø Ðthat€they€feared€that€òòliberty€of€conscience,€óódearer€to€them€than€property€or€life,€was€not€sufficientlyÐ ( Ä Ðguarded€in€the€Constitution.€Washington€sent€a€kind€and€encouraging€reply,€and€in€the€very€nextÐ  ° Ðmonth,€Virginia€proposed€that€immortal€ð ðFirst€Amendmentðð€to€the€Constitution€of€the€United€States:Ð  œ ÐCongress€shall€make€no€law€respecting€an€establishment€of€religion,€or€prohibiting€the€free€exerciseÐ ì ˆ Ðthereof,€or€abridging€the€freedom€of€speech€or€of€the€press,€or€the€right€of€the€people€peaceably€toÐ Ø t Ðassemble€and€petition€the€government€for€a€redress€of€grievances.Ð Ä ` ÐÌò òÓ  ÓIII.€STANDING€AND€NUMBER€OF€THE€BAPTISTS.ó óÐ œ8  ÐÌÓ`ÓIt€is€sometimes€disdainfully€said€that€the€Baptists€are€poor,€:41€illiterate,€few€in€number,€devoid€ofÐ t  Ðsocial€refinement,€and€occupy€an€unimportant€position€in€the€world.€Neither€wealth,€learning,Ð `ü  Ðnumbers,€social€position,€courtliness€of€manners,€nor€worldly€influence,€have€any€necessaryÐ Lè  Ðconnection€with€piety€or€the€favor€of€God.€If€they€have,€then€the€apostles€and€other€early€ChristiansÐ 8Ô  Ðpossessed€neither.€They€were€fewer€in€number,€more€deficient€in€power,€more€illiterate,€and€moreÐ $À Ðdepressed€socially,€than€the€Baptists€now€are.Ð ¬ Ðà  àAs€to€the€numbers,€the€Baptists€cannot€now€be€called€a€ð ðmere€handful.ðð€In€the€United€States,Ð ü˜ Ðthey€have€increased€from€òòone€in€sixty,€óóin€1790,€to€òòone€in€twenty,€óóin€òò1885.€óóIn€the€year€1700,€there€wereÐ è„ Ðbut€15€Baptist€Churches€in€America..€In€1750,€there€were€òò58,€óóan€increase€of€nearly€òòone€óóa€year.€InÐ Ôp Ð1790,€there€were€872,€with€a€membership€of€64,975,€a€gain€of€20€churches€a€year.€The€populationÐ À\ Ðof€the€United€States€in€1790,€was€3,290,000,€òòone€in€every€sixty€óóbeing€a€òòmember€óóof€a€Baptist€Church.Ð ¬H Ðà  àIn€1830,€there€were€over€5,000€churches,€with€over€300,000€members,€a€growth€of€over€100Ð ˜4 Ðnew€churches€a€year.€In€1870,€there€were€17,445€churches,€an€average€growth€of€òòone€a€day€óófor€theÐ „  Ðtwenty€years€preceding.€At€the€close€of€the€year€1886,€there€were€30,522€churches€and€2,732,570Ð p  Ðmembers,€an€average€growth€of€òòone€and€a€half€new€óóchurches€òòper€day.Ð \ø Ðóóà  àIf€we€were€to€include€in€the€above€all€those€denominations€that€regard€immersion€only€asÐ Hä ÐScriptural€baptism€ð"ð€the€Free‚will€Baptists,€(open€communion),€82,323;€Disciples,€or€Campbellites,Ð 4 Ð Ð850,000;€Seventh€Day€Baptists,€8,733;€Tunkers,€100,000;€Adventists,€100,000;€Six-principleÐ  !¼ ÐBaptists,€2,200;€Church€of€God,€or€Winebrennarians,€45,000;€in€all,€1,188,256.׃R×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€ð!ð€€we€should€haveÐ  "¨ Ð(with€Regular€Baptists,€2,732,570),€a€grand€total€of€3,920,826€ð!ð€€a€number€larger€than€the€populationÐ ø"” Ðof€this€country€at€the€time€of€the€War€of€Independence.€While€the€Baptists€in€the€United€States€areÐ ä#€  Ðequal,€numerically,€to€the€Methodists,€strictly€counted,€they€outnumber€the€Presbyterians€two€to€one,Ð Ð$l! Ðand€the€Episcopalians€seven€to€one.Ð ¼%X" ÐØ! !ØÓ  Óà @ àÓ  ÓThey€are€found€in€Great€Britain,€in€France,€Italy,€Spain,€Germany,€Holland,€Denmark,€Norway,Ð ¨&D # ÐSweden,€Austria,€Russia,€and€Switzerland.€In€India,€the€Baptists€have€many€churches,€composedÐ ”'0!$ Ðexclusively€of€baptized€believers.€They€have€established€themselves€in€China€and€Japan,€in€BrazilÐ €("% Ðand€the€West€Indies,€among€the€Indians,€and€in€Australia;€and€are€now€pushing€their€way€rapidly€intoÐ l)#& ÐCentral€Africa.Ð d Ðà  àNeither€can€the€Baptists€be€justly€chargeable€with€want€of€intelligence€and€learning.€MiltonÐ Pì Ðand€Bunyan€were€Baptists.€One€of€the€most€accomplished€Oriental€scholars,€as€well€as€one€of€theÐ <Ø Ðablest€expositors€of€the€Holy€Scriptures€during€the€last€century,€was€John€Gill,€a€Baptist.Ð ( Ä Ðà  àWilliam€Carey,€who,€during€the€forty€years€of€his€labors€in€India,€in€connection€with€hisÐ  ° Ðassociates,€published€òòtwo€hundred€and€twelve€thousand€volumes€óóof€the€Bible,€in€òòforty€óódifferentÐ  œ Ðlanguages,€was€a€Baptist.€So€was€Adoniram€Judson,€whose€version€of€the€Bible€in€Burmese,€isÐ ì ˆ Ðpronounced€by€Burmese€scholars,€ð ðPerfect€as€a€literary€work.ððÐ Ø t Ðà  àThat€finished€pulpit€orator,€Robert€Hall,€was€a€Baptist;€and€we€can€point€today€to€C.€H.Ð Ä ` ÐSpurgeon,€of€London,€and€many€others,€who€are€not€a€whit€behind€the€most€eminent€men€in€otherÐ °L  Ðdenominations€and€walks€of€life.Ð œ8  Ðà  àIn€addition€to€their€achievements€in€translating€and€publishing€the€word€of€God,€theÐ ˆ$  Ðmissionaries€of€the€English€Baptist€Society€have€written€and€published€òòfourteen€óógrammars€and€òònineÐ t  Ðóódictionaries,€mostly€of€languages€in€which€no€such€works€previously€existed.€The€British€and€ForeignÐ `ü  ÐBible€Society€owes€its€origin€to€Joseph€Hughes,€a€Baptist.€And€to€a€Baptist€deacon,€William€Fox,Ð Lè  Ðwas€due€the€organization€of€the€first€great€National€Society€in€England,€in€behalf€of€Sunday-schools.Ð 8Ô  Ðà  àThe€American€Baptist€Publication€Society€was€organized€in€Washington,€D.€C.,€in€1824.€InÐ $À Ð1826,€it€was€moved€to€Philadelphia;€and,€after€several€removals,€it€finally€located€at€1420€ChestnutÐ ¬ ÐStreet,€where€a€building,€46x230€feet,€five€stories€high,€with€a€basement,€was€erected,€costing,€withÐ ü˜ Ðthe€ground,€$258,586.86,€which€was€entered,€òòfree€of€debt,€óóin€1876.€The€receipts€of€the€Society,€in€itsÐ è„ Ðfirst€year€(1824),€were€$373.80;€in€1886,€they€were€$624,140.43.€The€receipts€of€the€first€TEN€yearsÐ Ôp Ðwere€$34,702.30;€of€the€òòten€óóyears€preceding€the€year€1887,€$4,712,120.25.€During€the€five€yearsÐ À\ Ðending€April€1,€1885,€the€òòSociety€gave€away€óó334,893€copies€of€the€Bible€or€Testament.€The€Society'sÐ ¬H Ðcolporteurs€and€Sunday-school€missionaries€have€organized€over€7,154€Sunday-schools€It€publishesÐ ˜4 Ðover€1,212€publications,€and€of€one€book€alone€ð!ð€€ð ðThe€Blood€of€Jesusðð€ð!ð€€it€has€printed€119,000Ð „  Ðcopies.€It€prints€12€distinct€Sunday-school€periodicals,€with€a€circulation,€in€1886,€of€overÐ p  Ð28,000,000€copies,€consuming€over€12,000€reams€of€paper,€weighing€more€than€330€tons.Ð \ø Ðà  àThe€Society€has€printed,€since€its€organization€(from€1824€to€1885),€330,087,724€copies€ofÐ Hä Ðbooks,€tracts,€and€periodicals,€an€average€of€over€14,354€copies€daily.€If€all€that€the€Society€hasÐ 4 Ð Ðprinted€had€been€put€in€book-form,€it€would€have€made€21,861,177€books,€of€300€pages€each.Ð  !¼ ÐÌØ! !ØÓ  Óò ò€IV.€THE€DOCTRINES€OF€THE€CHURCH.ó óÐ ø"” ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThe€phrase,€òòdoctrines€of€a€church,€óóis€somewhat€doubtful€in€its€meaning.€It€may€mean€whatÐ Ð$l! Ða€òòchurch€óóteaches,€or€what€a€church€believes€the€òòBible€óóto€teach.€It€is€here€used€in€the€latter€sense.Ð ¼%X" ÐÓ  Óà  àThe€Baptist€view€of€Bible€Doctrine€may€be€briefly€summed€up€in€the€followingÐ ¨&D # ÐÌÓ  Óò òBAPTIST€CREED.ó óÐ €("% ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àà ` àWe€believe€in€one€true€and€living€God,€the€Maker€and€Supreme€Ruler€ofÐ X*ô#' Ðheaven€and€earth;€that€in€the€unity€of€the€Godhead,€there€are€three€persons,€the€Father,Ð D+à$( Ðthe€Son,€and€the€Holy€Spirit,€equal€Ø! !Øin€divine€perfection,€and€executing€distinct,€butÐ 0,Ì%) Ðharmonious,€offices;€that€man€was€created€in€holiness,€but,€by€voluntaryÐ d Ðtransgression,€fell;€in€consequence€of€which€all€mankind€are€now€sinners,€not€byÐ Pì Ðconstraint,€but€choice,€and€are€under€just€condemnation€of€eternal€death€withoutÐ <Ø Ðdefense€or€excuse;€that€the€salvation€of€sinners€is€wholly€of€grace,€through€theÐ ( Ä Ðmediatorial€offices€of€the€Son€of€God:€that€this€salvation€is€conditioned€uponÐ  ° Ðrepentance€and€faith;€that€nothing€prevents€the€salvation€of€the€greatest€sinner€onÐ  œ Ðearth,€but€his€own€inherent€depravity€and€voluntary€rejection€of€the€gospel;€that€at€theÐ ì ˆ Ðmoment€the€sinner€exercises€saving€faith€(which€is€confiding€trust€in,€and€a€relyingÐ Ø t Ðon,€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€and€him€alone,€as€his€all-sufficient€Saviour),€he€is€justified;Ð Ä ` Ðthat€this€justification€is€not€so€much€a€pardon€for€sin,€as€an€acquittal€from€guilt€by€theÐ °L  Ðimputation€of€Christ's€righteousness;€that€justification€leads€to€full€assurance€of€faith;Ð œ8  Ðthat€regeneration,€or€the€ð ðnew€birth,ðð€is€simultaneous€with€saving€faith€andÐ ˆ$  Ðjustification,€and€consists€in€giving€a€holy€disposition€to€the€mind;€that€sanctificationÐ t  Ðis€a€growth€in€grace,€begun€in€regeneration,€progressively€carried€on€by€the€HolyÐ `ü  ÐSpirit,€and€completed€at€death;€that€true€believers€will€persevere€unto€the€end,€keptÐ Lè  Ðby€the€power€of€God€through€faith€unto€salvation;€that€the€dead€remain€in€aÐ 8Ô  Ðconscious,€though€disembodied,€state€until€the€resurrection;€that€Christ€shall€come€inÐ $À Ðperson€to€raise€the€dead€and€translate€the€living;€and,€at€the€final€judgment,€theÐ ¬ Ðrighteous€and€the€wicked€shall€be€separated€forever.Ðü˜Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àBaptists€agree€in€the€main€with€all€evangelical€Christians€in€the€above.Ð è„ ÐImmersion€in€water€is€not€the€only€thing€that;€distinguishes€them€from€otherÐ Ôp Ðdenominations.€There€are€certain€fundamental€principles€which€they€hold,€and€haveÐ À\ Ðever€held:ЬHÐ Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àð ðChrist€Jesus€the€sole€Lawgiver€in€spiritual€things;€the€wordÐ „  Ðof€God-the€only€authoritative€guide€in€religious€faith€and€practice;€theÐ p  Ðresponsibility€of€each€individual€to€God,€and€to€him€alone,€in€allÐ \ø Ðmatters€of€conscience€and€religious€worship;€the€entire€separation€ofÐ Hä ÐChurch€and€State;€the€restriction€of€church€membership€to€personsÐ 4 Ð Ðmaking€personal€and€credible€profession€of€faith€in€Christ-this€mayÐ  !¼ Ðinclude€children,€but€not€infants;€the€restriction€of€the€Lord's€SupperÐ  "¨ Ðto€baptized€believers;€and€the€independence€of€the€churches€ofÐ ø"” ÐChrist.ððÐä#€ ` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà  àWe€shall€now€proceed€to€give€more€in€detail,€the€reasons€for€this€difference€of€belief€andÐ ¼%X" Ðpractice.Ð ¨&D # ÐÌØ! !ØÓ  Óò ò€V.€BAPTISM.ó óÐ €("% ÐÌÓ  Óà  àChrist€instituted,€or€appointed,€for€his€disciples€an€external€rite,€called€baptism.€Whether€heÐ X*ô#' Ðoriginated€the€rite€or€not,€makes€no€difference.€The€Congress€of€the€United€States€may€enact€a€lawÐ D+à$( Ðwhich€has€long€been€in€force€in€some€other€country,€if€it€sees€that€it€will€meet€the€needs€of€our€ownÐ 0,Ì%) Ðcountry.€It€is€therefore€unimportant,€whether€or€not€there€existed€among€the€Jews,€before€theÐ d ÐChristian€Era,€what€is€known€as€Proselyte€Baptism,€and€that€from€it€the€Christian€rite€was€derived.Ð Pì ÐSuffice€it€to€know€that€Christ€made€the€rite,€whether€it€existed€before€or€not,€a€law€to€the€ChristianÐ <Ø Ðchurch,€and€that€for€òòall€óótime.Ð ( Ä ÐÌà8  àà ` àGo€ye,€therefore,€and€disciple€all€nations,€BAPTIZING€them€into€the€nameÐ  œ Ðof€the€Father,€and€of€the€Son,€and€of€the€Holy€Spirit;€teaching€them€to€observe€allÐ ì ˆ Ðthings,€whatsoever€I€have€commanded€you:€and,€lo,€I€am€with€you€always,€even€untoÐ Ø t Ðthe€end€of€the€world.ÐÄ `Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àAnd€as€a€law€cannot€be€repealed,€except€by€the€enacting€power,€and€Christ€has€nowhereÐ œ8  Ðprovided€for€its€repeal,€therefore,€it€is€presumption€on€the€part€of€any€church€or€council€to€set€the€riteÐ ˆ$  Ðaside,€or€change€the€act€prescribed€by€the€Lord.Ð t  ÐÓ  ÓÌÓ  Óò òWATER€ESSENTIAL€TO€BAPTISM.ó óÐ Lè  ÐÓΑÓÌÓ  Óà  àThat€òòwater€óówas€and€is€essential€to€the€rite€is€the€common€belief,€and€the€ground€of€this€beliefÐ $À Ðis€the€oft-repeated€mention€of€òòwater€óóin€connection€with€its€administration€in€the€New€Testament.€TheÐ ¬ Ðeunuch€said:€ð ðSee,€here€is€òòwater!€óówhat€doth€hinder€me€to€be€baptized?ððÐ ü˜ ÐThe€fittest€emblem€of€sin€is€òòpollution,€óóand€the€most€suitable€emblem€to€signify€its€removal€wouldÐ è„ Ðbe€some€cleansing€element€as€òòwater;€óóand€as€water€was€universally€used€in€the€East€as€a€token€ofÐ Ôp Ðmoral€cleansing,€the€Saviour€doubtless€chose€it€for€its€significance.Ð À\ Ðà  àIt€is€true€that€there€are€those€who€hold€that€the€baptism€commanded€by€Christ€is€a€baptismÐ ¬H Ðof€the€òòSpirit;€óóbut€this€cannot€be€the€baptism€commanded€in€the€Great€Commission€(Matt.€28:€19,€20),Ð ˜4 Ðfor€it€is€baptism€òòinto€the€name€óóof€the€Spirit.€Neither€can€those€who€feel€that€they€have€received€theÐ „  Ðòòbaptism€of€the€Spirit€óójustify€themselves€in€neglecting€òòwater€óóbaptism;€for€their€having€received€theÐ p  Ðbaptism€of€the€Spirit;€so€far€from€being€a€reason€why€they€should€not€be€baptized€òòwith€óówater,€is€òòtheÐ \ø Ðvery€reason€why€they€should.Ð Hä ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àóóà ` àCan€any€man€forbid€WATER,€that€these€should€not€be€baptized,€WHOÐ  !¼ ÐHAVE€RECEIVED€THE€HOLY€GHOST€as€well€as€we?ðð€(Acts€10:€47.)Ð "¨Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ  Óò òTHE€MEANING€OF€THE€WORD€BAPTIZO.ó óÐ ä#€  ÐÓt˜Óà  à¹Ó  Óà  àIn€the€English€version€of€the€Scriptures,€the€Greek€words€òòð ðbaptizoðð€óóand€òòð ðbaptisma,ðð€óóareÐ ¼%X" ÐAnglicized,€not€translated.€That€is,€their€termination€is€made€to€correspond€with€the€termination€ofÐ ¨&D # ÐEnglish€words.€In€òòð ðbaptizo,ðð€€óóthe€final€letter€is€changed€to€ð ðe,ðð€and€in€òòð ðbaptisma,ðð€óóthe€last€letter€isÐ ”'0!$ Ðdropped€altogether.Ð €("% Ðà  àThe€primary€and€ordinary€meaning€of€the€word€òòð ðbaptizo,€ð ð€óóis€to€dip,€plunge,€immerse,€bathe,Ð l)#& Ðoverwhelm;€and€its€secondary€and€figurative€meaning€involves€its€primary€meaning.€So€testifyÐ X*ô#' Ðòòthirty-four€óóof€the€more€common€and€best€authorized€Greek€Lexicons,€as€well€as€all€the€standardÐ D+à$( Ðencyclopedias,€scores€of€expositors€and€commentators,€hundreds€of€college,€university,€andÐ 0,Ì%) Ðtheological€professors,€and€uncounted€numbers€of€the€most€learned€writers€of€differentÐ d Ðdenominations.Ð Pì Ðà  àProf.€Moses€Stuart,€a€Congregationalist,€while€listening€to€a€class€reading€and€translatingÐ <Ø Ðfrom€the€Greek€testament,€was€surprised€to€hear€a€student€translate€Mark€16:€16€ð"ð€ð ðHe€thatÐ ( Ä Ðbelieveth€and€is€òòsprinkled,€óóshall€be€saved.ððÐ  ° ÐÓ  Óà  àð ðSprinkled,ðð€replied€the€Professor,€ð ðis€òònot€óócorrect.ðð€Ð  œ Ðà  àð ðIs€it€not€in€accordance€with€the€òòpractice€óóof€the€denomination?ðð€asked€the€student.Ð ì ˆ Ðà  àð ðThat€is€not€the€question,ðð€replied€the€Professor.€ð ðYou€are€now€translating€the€GreekÐ Ø t ÐTestament,€and€the€word€means,€òòimmerse.ððÐ Ä ` Ðóóà  àIf€Christ€had€intended€us€to€òòsprinkle,€óóhe€would€have€used€the€Greek€word€òòð ðrantizoðð;€óóif€toÐ °L  Ðòòpour,€óóthe€word€òòð ðcheo.ððÐ œ8  ÐÓ  Óóóà  àSane€and€intelligent€men,€when€soberly€discoursing€in€a€language€with€which€they€areÐ ˆ$  Ðfamiliar,€will€use€words€in€their€proper€meaning.€They€will€not€use€a€word€meaning€ð ðto€cry,ðð€whenÐ t  Ðthey€intend€to€convey€the€idea€ð ðto€laugh.ððÐ `ü  Ðà  àIf€five€reliable€eye-witnesses€were€to€relate€the€destruction€of€a€certain€city€by€a€great€fire,Ð Lè  Ðcould€anything€be€more€perverted€than€to€say€that€it€was€òòa€flood€óóthey€meant?Ð 8Ô  Ðà  àMatthew€states€(Matthew€3:€6),€that€the€people€were€baptized€of€John€òòð ðin€óóJordanðð;€and€MarkÐ $À Ðadds€(Mark€1:€òò5),€ð ðin€the€river€óóof€Jordanðð;€and€John€says€(John€3:€23),€ð ðin€.AEnon,€near€to€Salim,Ð ¬ Ðbecause€there€was€òòmuch€water€thereðð;€óóand€Luke,€in€Acts€8:€35‚„39,€relates€of€Philip€and€the€eunuch,Ð ü˜ Ðthat€ð ðas€they€went€on€their€way,€they€òòcame€unto€a€certain€water,€ð ð€óóand€that€ð ðthey€went€down€òòbothÐ è„ ÐóóINTO€the€òòwater,€óóð ðand€came€òòð ðup€óóOUT€of€the€òòwater.ððÐ Ôp Ðóóà  àBut€it€is€often€said€that€the€Greek€preposition€òòð ðeis,ðð€óótranslated€ð ðinto,ðð€means€ð ðto,ðð€and€thatÐ À\ ÐPhilip€and€the€eunuch€went€only€òòto€óóthe€water.€If€this€is€true,€then€the€ð ðwise€menðð€did€not€go€òòð ðinto€óótheÐ ¬H Ðhouse,ðð€and€did€not€return€òòð ðinto€óótheir€own€country,ðð€and€the€demons€(Matt.€8:€31-33)€did€not€enterÐ ˜4 Ðòòð ðinto€óóthe€swine,ðð€and€the€swine€did€not€run€òòð ðinto€óóthe€sea.ðð€Again,€the€Saviour€(Matt.€9:17)Ð „  ÐÓ  Ódid€not€speak€of€putting€wine€òòinto€óóbottles,€but€only€òòto€óóbottles.€;4.Query:€ð ðHow€could€the€'newÐ p  Ðwine'€break€the€'old€bottles'€withoutÐ \ø Ðbeing€put€in€them?ððÐ Hä ÐÓ  Óà  àOnce€more€ð!ð€€ð ðAnd€these€shall€go€away€òòinto€óóeverlasting€punishment,€but€the€righteous€òòintoÐ 4 Ð Ðóólife€eternal.ðð€Here€the€word€ð ðelsðð€is€used;€and€if€it€means€simply€ð ðto,ðð€then€that€passage€should€read:Ð  !¼ Ðð ðAnd€these€shall€go€away€to€(close€by,€not€òòinto)€óóeverlasting€punishment,€but€the€righteous€òòto€óó(closeÐ  "¨ Ðby,€not€òòinto)€óólife€eternal.ððÐ ø"” Ðà  àBut€Pedobaptists€admit€that€ð ðeis,€ð ðin€the€above€passages,€means€òòinto.€óóWhy€then€limit€itsÐ ä#€  Ðmeaning,€when€baptism€is€the€subject€at€issue?€As€Dr.€Pendleton€says€ð"ð€from€whom€the€above€isÐ Ð$l! Ðquoted€ð"ð€ð ðThe€little€word€òò`eis€'€óóis€a€strange€word.€It€will€take€a€man€òòinto€óóa€country,€òòinto€óóa€city,€òòintoÐ ¼%X" Ðóóa€house,€òòinto€óóa€ship,€òòinto€óóhell,€into€HEAVEN€-€into€any€place€in€the€universe,€except€òòthe€water.ððÐ ¨&D # Ðóóà  àIt€is€said€that€John€baptized€not€òòin,€óóbut€òòat€óóJordan.€Episcopalians€and€Methodists€are€precludedÐ ”'0!$ Ðfrom€a€resort€to€this€objection;€for€the€ð ðBook€of€Common€Prayer,ðð€and€the€ð ðDiscipline,ðð€both€teachÐ €("% Ðthat€Jesus€was€baptized€òòð ðin€óóthe€Jordan.ðð€In€all€the€range€of€Greek€literature,€the€preposition€òòð ðen,ððÐ l)#& Ðóóused€in€Matthew€3:€6,€and€translated€ð ðin,ðð€means€òòð ðin.ððÐ X*ô#' Ðóóà  àBut€it€is€said€that€there€are€texts,€in€which€the€word€ð ðbaptizeðð€occurs,€where€it€not€only€òòdoesÐ D+à$( Ðnot,€óóbut€òòcannot€óómean€immersion.€Thus€we€are€told€that€the€Israelites€were€òòð ðbaptized€unto€Moses€inÐ 0,Ì%) Ðthe€cloud,€and€in€the€seaðð€óó(1€Cor.€10:€2;€Exod.€14:€16-22);€and€yet€the€Israelites€were€on€ð ðdry€land,ððÐ d Ðand€ð ðunder€the€cloudðð€ð"ð€how€could€such€a€baptism,€standing€on€òòdry€land,€óóbe€an€òòimmersion?€óóWeÐ Pì Ðsimply€ask,€which€mode€does€walking€through€the€sea€on€dry€land,€with€a€wall€of€water€on€each€sideÐ <Ø Ðand€a€cloud€overhead,€most€resemble€ð!ð€€sprinkling,€pouring,€or€immersion?Ð ( Ä Ðà  àAgain,€it€has€been€said€that€Christ€himself€told€his€disciples:€ð ðYe€shall€be€baptized€with€theÐ  ° ÐHoly€Ghost€not€many€days€henceðð€(Acts€1:€5),€and€that€when€that€baptism€came,€Peter€said:€ð ðThisÐ  œ Ðis€that€which€was€spoken€by€the€Prophet€Joel.€.€.€.€I€will€POUR€out€my€Spirit€upon€all€flesh.ðð€PeterÐ ì ˆ Ðdoes€not€call€that€baptism€a€òòpouring,€óóas€some€affirm;€he€simply€quotes€the€words€of€the€prophet.€ThatÐ Ø t Ðit€was€an€òòimmersion,€óóis€evident€from€the€fact€that€the€Holy€Ghost€òòfilled€the€whole€house.€óó(Acts€2:€2.)Ð Ä ` ÐÌÓ  Óò òTHE€PRACTICE€OF€THE€EARLY€CHURCHES.ó óÐ œ8  ÐÌÓ  Óà  àImmersion€continued€to€be€the€general€practice€among€Christians€for€THIRTEENÐ t  ÐHUNDRED€YEARS.€The€first€account€we€have€of€sprinkling,€or€pouring,€is€that€of€the€case€ofÐ `ü  ÐNovatian,€about€the€middle€of€the€third€century.€While€unbaptized,€he€fell€into€a€dangerous€sickness;Ð Lè  Ðand,€because€he€was€likely€to€die,€was€baptized€on€the€bed€where€he€lay€by€having€water€òòsprinkledÐ 8Ô  Ðor€poured€all€over€him.€óóHe€recovered,€was€afterward€elected€Bishop;€but€the€election€was€contested,Ð $À Ðon€the€ground€that€he€had€not€been€òòð ðlawfully€baptized.ððÐ ¬ Ðóóà  àFrom€that€time€on,€A.€D.€250,€sprinkling€was€permitted,€but€òòonly€in€a€case€of€necessity,€óódeathÐ ü˜ Ðbeing€imminent.€It€was€not€considered€òòregular€óóbaptism,€but€was€called€ð ðclinicðð€or€ð ðsick€baptism.ððÐ è„ ÐFrance€seems€to€have€been€the€first€country€in€the€world€where€baptism€by€pouring€was€used€forÐ Ôp Ðthose€in€health.€The€Church€of€Rome€first€òòtolerated€óóit€in€the€eighth€century;€and€in€the€sixteenthÐ À\ Ðcentury,€she€generally€adopted€it.Ð ¬H Ðà  àIn€A.€D.€1549,€the€Church€of€England€made€an€exception€in€favor€of€sprinkling€for€ð ðweakððÐ ˜4 Ðchildren;€and€within€a€half€century€thereafter,€sprinkling€began€to€be€the€more€general,€as€it€is€nowÐ „  Ðalmost€the€only,€way€of€baptizing€in€that€church.Ð p  ÐÓ  Óà  à¹Ó  ÓBut€some€Pedobaptists€hold€that€John's€baptism€was€òònot€óóChristian€baptism,€and€therefore€òòimmersionÐ Hä Ðin€water€óóis€not€Christian€baptism.€They€quote,€in€defence€of€this,€Acts€18:€25,€and€Acts€19:€3-5:Ð 4 Ð ÐÌà8  àà ` àAnd€he€(Paul)€said€unto€them,€Unto€what€then€were€ye€baptized?€And€theyÐ  "¨ Ðsaid,€Unto€John's€baptism.€Then€said€Paul,€John€verily€baptized€with€the€baptism€ofÐ ø"” Ðrepentance,€saying€unto€the€people€that€they€should€believe€on€him€which€shouldÐ ä#€  Ðcome€after€him,€that€is,€on€Christ€Jesus.€When€they€heard€this,€they€were€baptized€inÐ Ð$l! Ðthe€name€of€the€Lord€Jesus.м%X"Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àWhat€was€the€difference€then€between€John's€baptism€and€Christian€baptism?€Simply,€John'sÐ ”'0!$ Ðbaptism€was€òòð ðunto€óórepentanceðð;€Christian€baptism€was€òòð ðafter€óórepentance,ðð€and€was€in€the€òòname€óóofÐ €("% Ðthe€Lord€Jesus.Ð l)#& Ðà  àSays€Christ:€ð ðBaptizing€them€in€the€name€of€the€Father,€and€of€the€Son,€and€of€the€HolyÐ X*ô#' ÐSpirit.ðð€The€òòact€óówas€the€same€òòð"ð€immersion€in€water.€óóThis€is€evident€from€the€òòmeaning€óóof€the€wordÐ D+à$( Ðð ðbaptizo,ðð€from€the€òòpractice€óóof€the€apostles,€and€from€the€òòtestimony€óóof€the€early€Fathers€of€theÐ 0,Ì%) ÐChurch.Ð d ÐÓ  Óà  àBARNABAS,€a€writer€of€the€apostolic€age,€says:€ð ðWe€indeed€go€down€òòinto€óóthe€water.ððÐ Pì Ðà  àTERTULLIAN,€A.€D.€200:€ð ðWe€are€immersed.ððÐ <Ø Ðà  àCYRIL,€Bishop€of€Jerusalem,€A.€D.€348:€ð ðThe€body€is€dipped€in€water.ððÐ ( Ä Ðà  àVITRINGA:€ð ðThe€act€of€baptizing€is€the€òòimmersion€of€believers€óóin€water.€Thus,€also,€itÐ  ° Ðwas€performed€by€Christ€and€his€apostles.ððÐ  œ ÐÌò òÓ  ÓMODERN€TESTIMONIALS.ó óÐ Ø t ÐÓrÂÓÌÓ  Óà  àJOHN€CALVIN,€the€founder€of€Presbyterianism.€ð"ð€Among€the€ancients€they€immersed€theÐ °L  Ðòòwhole€óóbody€in€water.€It€is€òòcertain€óóthat€òòimmersion€óówas€the€practice€of€the€ancient€church.ððÐ œ8  ÐÓ  Óà  àMARTIN€LUTHER,€the€leader€of€the€Reformation.€ð"ð€ð ðThose€who€are€baptized€shouldÐ ˆ$  Ðbe€òòdeeply€óóimmersed.ððà ¸ àÐ t  ÐÓ  Óà  àDEAN€STANLEY.€-€ð ðBaptism€was€not€only€a€bath,€but€a€plunge,€an€òòentire€submersion€óóin€theÐ `ü  Ðdeep€water.€In€that€early€age€the€scene€of€the€transaction€was€either€some€deep€wayside€spring€orÐ Lè  Ðwell,€as€for€the€Ethiopian,€or€some€rushing€river,€as€the€Jordan,€or€some€vast€reservoir€as€at€JerichoÐ 8Ô  Ðor€Jerusalem.€Such€was€apostolic€baptism.€We€are€able€in€detail€to€trace€its€history€through€the€nextÐ $À Ðthree€centuries.ððÐ ¬ ÐÌÓ  Óò òTHE€OBJECT€OF€BAPTISM.ó óÐ è„ ÐÌÓ  Óà  àWhat€is€baptism?€Not€the€òòway€óóin€which€it€is€to€be€administered,€but€the€òòact€óóto€beÐ À\ Ðperformed?Ð ¬H ÐÓ  Óà  àWith€Baptists€it€is€a€mere€question€of€taste€and€convenience,€whether€baptism€shall€beÐ ˜4 Ðadministered€in€a€stream€of€water,€or€in€a€baptistery;€whether€backward,€or€face€foremost;€whetherÐ „  Ðonly€once,€or€three€times,€once€each€in€the€name€of€the€Father,€Son,€and€Holy€Spirit;€but€they€doÐ p  Ðinsist€on€an€òòimmersion€in€water.€óóWhy?Ð \ø ÐÓ  Óà  àBecause€it€represents€the€saving€truths€of€the€gospel€ð"ð€the€òòdeath,€burial,€and€resurrectionÐ Hä Ðóóof€Christ.Ð 4 Ð ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àà ` àKnow€ye€not,€that€so€many€of€us€as€were€baptized€into€Jesus€Christ€wereÐ  "¨ Ðbaptized€into€his€death?€Therefore€we€are€BURIED€with€him€by€baptism€into€death;Ð ø"” Ðthat€like€as€Christ€was€raised€up€from€the€dead€by€the€glory€of€the€Father,€even€so€weÐ ä#€  Ðalso€should€walk€in€newness€of€life.€ð!ð€€Romans€6:€3-5.ÐÐ$l!Ð Ð  ÐÌò òÓ  ÓBAPTISM€NOT€ESSENTIAL€TO€SALVATION.ó óÐ ¨&D # ÐÓ—ËÓÌà  àBaptists€do€not€believe€that€baptism€is€òòessential€óóto€òòsalvation,€óófor€baptism€is€mentioned€in€theÐ €("% ÐNew€Testament€as€distinct€from€the€gospel€of€salvation.Ð l)#& Ðà  àThose€who€hold€that€baptism€is€essential€to€salvation,€quote€John€3:€5:€ð ðExcept€a€man€be€bornÐ X*ô#' Ðof€water,€and€the€Spirit,€he€òòcannot€óóenter€into€the€kingdom€of€God,ðð€and€they€add,€ð ðWhat€then€is€toÐ D+à$( Ðbecome€of€those€who€are€too€sick€to€be€immersed?€Are€they€to€be€shut€out€of€the€kingdom€ofÐ 0,Ì%) Ðheaven?Ð d Ðà  àIf€the€words€ð!ð€€ð ðborn€of€waterððð!ð€€mean€baptism,€which€is€disputed,€the€fact€that€the€want€ofÐ Pì Ðbaptism€will€not€keep€any€one€out€of€heaven,€if€circumstances€forbid€its€being€administered,€isÐ <Ø Ðclearly€shown€in€Christ's€words€to€the€dying€thief:€ð ðVerily€I€say€unto€thee,€to-day€shalt€thou€be€withÐ ( Ä Ðme€in€Paradise.ðð€(Luke€23:€43.)€The€thief€was€not€baptized,€and€was€saved;€and€for€all€we€know,Ð  ° ÐSimon€who€òòwas€óóbaptized,€was€lost.Ð  œ Ðà  àð ðThen€Simon.€.€.€.€was€baptized.€.€.€.€But€Peter€said€unto€him,€Thy€money€perish€with€thee.Ð ì ˆ Ð.€.€.€Thou€has€neither€part€nor€lot€in€this€matter;€for€thy€heart€is€not€right€in€the€sight€of€God.ðð€(ActsÐ Ø t Ð8:€13-20.)€So€was€Judas€Iscariot.Ð Ä ` Ðà  àIn€1€Peter€3;€21,€we€read€ð"ð€ð ðThe€like€figure€where-unto€baptism€doth€also€now€save€us.ððÐ °L  ÐThat€baptism€doth€ð ðNOW€òòsave€us,ðð€óóis€certainly€strong€language,€and€it€is€a€correct€translation.€ButÐ œ8  Ðhow€save€us?€Look€at€the€preceding€verse,€and€you€will€see€that€Peter€has€reference€to€the€analogyÐ ˆ$  Ðbetween€salvation€by€the€ark,€and€salvation€by€baptism.€Both€were€dependent€on€faith;€one€on€faithÐ t  Ðin€the€ark,€the€other€on€faith€in€Christ.Ð `ü  Ðà  àThen€Ananias€said€unto€Saul:€ð ðWhy€tarriest€thou?€Arise,€and€be€baptized,€and€wash€away€thyÐ Lè  Ðsins,€calling€on€the€name€of€the€Lord.ðð€(Acts€22:16)€Ð 8Ô  Ðà  àThat€baptism€is€a€saving€ordinance,€in€that€it€washes€away€sin,€is€here€implied.€But€how€doesÐ $À Ðit€òòwash€óóaway€sin?€Not€by€òòactually€óówashing€away€sin€from€the€soul;€but€by€expressing€òòfaith€óóin€theÐ ¬ Ðòòdeath,€burial,€and€resurrection€of€Christ,€óówhich€leads€to€our€justification.Ð ü˜ ÐÌò òÓ  ÓIMMERSION€IN€WATER€ESSENTIAL€TO€OBEDIENCE.ó óÐ Ôp ÐÓ'ÖÓÌà  àBaptists€are€often€told€ð!ð€€ð ðAll€that€you€say€may€be€true€enough;€but€after€all,€it€is€òòof€noÐ ¬H Ðconsequence.€óóIt€does€not€matter€whether€we€have€had€a€little€water€sprinkled€on€us,€or€have€beenÐ ˜4 Ðimmersed€in€the€ocean.€A€few€drops,€more€or€less,€is€of€no€importance.ððÐ „  Ðà  àIf€your€father€told€you€to€go€and€òòtake€a€bath,€óóand€you€said€to€yourself,€ð ðOh,€that€is€notÐ p  Ðconvenient€ð!ð€I€will€just€wash€my€hands€and€face,€and€that€will€doðð€ð!ð€€would€that€be€obedience?Ð \ø Ðà  àWhen€God€instituted€the€Passover,€he€clearly€illustrated€that€maxim€of€the€law,€that€òòtheÐ Hä Ðexpression€of€one€thing€óóis€òòthe€exclusion€of€another.€óóA€òòlamb€óówas€to€be€killed€ð!ð€€not€a€heifer;€it€wasÐ 4 Ð Ðto€be€of€the€òòfirst€óóyear€ð!ð€€not€of€the€second;€a€òòmale€ð!ð€€óónot€a€female;€without€a€òòblemish€ð!ð€€not€óówith€aÐ  !¼ Ðblemish;€on€the€òòfourteenth€óóday€of€the€month€ð!ð€€not€on€some€other€day;€the€blood€was€to€be€appliedÐ  "¨ Ðto€the€òòdoor€posts€and€lintels€ð!ð€€óónot€somewhere€else.Ð ø"” Ðà  àThey€that€would€substitute€sprinkling,€or€any€other€act€than€that€of€immersion,€for€baptism,Ð ä#€  Ðshould€not€forget€the€awful€fate€of€Aaron's€sons€when€they€took€common€fire,€instead€of€fire€fromÐ Ð$l! Ðthe€altar,€to€burn€incense.€(Leviticus€10:1„€2.)Ð ¼%X" Ðà  àLet€no€man€call€that€an€useless€unmeaning€ceremony,€to€which€the€òòsinless€óóSON€OF€GODÐ ¨&D # Ðsubmitted,€that€he€might€ð ðTHUS€fulfill€òòall€righteousness.ðð€óóNever€was€an€ordinance€so€honored.€EachÐ ”'0!$ Ðperson€of€the€TRINITY€being€present.€The€blessed€òòRedeemer€óósubmitted€to€be€baptized;€the€òòFatherÐ €("% Ðóóapproved,€saying:€ð ðThou€art€my€beloved€Son,€in€whom€I€am€well€pleasedðð;€and€the€òòHoly€Spirit,€óólikeÐ l)#& Ða€dove,€descended€and€rested€upon€Christ.Ð X*ô#' Ðà  àLet€us€see€if€it€is€of€òòno€consequence!€óóð ðIf€ye€love€me,€keep€my€commandments.ðð€(John€14:€5.)Ð D+à$( Ðð ðHe€that€hath€my€commandments,€and€keepeth€them,€he€it€is€that€loveth€me.ðð€(John€14:€21.)Ð 0,Ì%) Ðà  àNow€Christ€has€commanded€us€to€be€baptized€(Matt.€28:€18‚20);€and€to€be€baptized€denotesÐ d Ða€òòparticular€óóact;€and€that€particular€act€is€pointed€out€by€the€word€òòð ðbaptizo,ðð€óówhose€common,Ð Pì Ðordinary,€literal€meaning€is€to€òòimmerse;€óóand€as€òòimmersion€óóis€typical€of€the€burial€of€our€Lord€andÐ <Ø Ðsprinkling€is€òònot,€it€óóis€a€matter€of€òòvast€óóimportance€which€act€we€select;€for€one€is€òòobedience,€óóthe€otherÐ ( Ä Ðòòdisobedience;€óóone€exhibits€òòlove,€óóthe€other€òòindifference.óóØ! !ØÐ  ° Ðòòà  àIndifference€óóto€the€command€of€an€earthly€king€would€justly€be€regarded€as€criminal€ð"ð€aÐ  œ Ðfault€to€be€swiftly€and€severely€punished-and€yet€we€are€told€that€it€is€a€matter€of€òòindifferenceÐ ì ˆ Ðóówhether€we€obey€Christ,€our€Heavenly€King!Ð Ø t Ðà  àThe€United€States€Navy€has€its€ð ðSignal€Service,ðð€by€means€of€which€the€movements€of€a€fleetÐ Ä ` Ðcan€be€directed,€and€the€issues€of€a€battle€decided.€If€the€ð ðSignal€Bookðð€prescribes€that€a€flag€of€aÐ °L  Ðgiven€form€shall€have€a€given€meaning,€is€the€òòform€óónothing?Ð œ8  Ðà  àLet€the€signal-officer€disregard€the€òòform,€óóand€display€a€flag€of€another€pattern,€the€result€willÐ ˆ$  Ðbe€misunderstanding,€attended€by€disaster.€Is€the€form€then€òònon-essential?Ð t  Ðóóà  àBut,€you€say,€it€can€hardly€be€that€the€vast€majority€of€Christians€who€sprinkle€are€wrong,€andÐ `ü  Ðthe€few€who€immerse€are€right.€Numbers€are€no€argument€for€truth.€Pagans€are€far€more€numerousÐ Lè  Ðthan€Christians,€and€Roman€Catholics€outnumber€Protestants.Ð 8Ô  ÐÌÓ  Óò òOBJECTIONS€TO€IMMERSION.ó óÐ ¬ ÐÓçÓÌà  àThose€who€stigmatize€immersion€as€indelicate,€unbecoming,€and€improper,€unfitted€to€theÐ è„ Ðrefinements€of€our€modern€civilization,€and,€therefore,€to€be€set€aside€for€something€more€genteelÐ Ôp Ðand€elegant,€are,€perhaps,€honest;€but€their€objection€is€silly,€or€worse.€To€set€their€taste€aboveÐ À\ ÐChrist's€law,€òòwould€be€sin.€óóDid€not€Christ€know€of€the€greater€convenience€of€sprinkling?€Did€notÐ ¬H Ðhe€know€all€about€the€rigors€of€a€northern€winter,€and€the€necessity€there€would€be€to€cut€the€ice?Ð ˜4 Ðà  àAs€to€the€impossibility€of€immersion,€it€does€sometimes€exist;€as€in€cases€of€sickness,€orÐ „  Ðcontinued€feebleness.€What€is€the€rational€view€to€be€taken€of€such€cases?€Evidently€that€the€personÐ p  Ðso€situated€is,€for€the€time,€excused€from€performing€the€òòoutward€óóact,€the€òòinward€óódisposition€beingÐ \ø Ðaccepted;€for€to€substitute€a€different€rite,€as€sprinkling,€not€only€changes€the€act,€and€does€away€withÐ Hä Ðthe€significance€of€the€ordinance,€but€opens€the€way€to€its€òòabuse;€óófor€some€would€argue,€if€sprinklingÐ 4 Ð Ðcan€be€justified€in€some€cases,€why€not€in€all?Ð  !¼ Ðà  àBut€it€is€said€that€there€are€countries€too€cold€to€allow€of€immersion;€and,€as€the€ChristianÐ  "¨ Ðreligion€is€intended€for€the€whole€world,€Christ€must€have€foreseen€that€the€rite€would€have€to€beÐ ø"” Ðchanged€for€the€colder€climes;€and€in€this€view,€they€see€the€òòpermission€óóto€change€the€rite.€Again€weÐ ä#€  Ðsay,€if€the€rite€cannot€be€administered€as€Christ€directed,€then€we€are€justified€in€omitting€it;€for€heÐ Ð$l! Ðwould€never€require€as€òòessential€óóthat€which€is€IMPOSSIBLE.€To€change€the€rite€in€cold€climes,€againÐ ¼%X" Ðopens€the€door€to€its€abuse;€for€who€shall€say€what€òòdegree€óóof€temperature€shall€justify€a€change€ofÐ ¨&D # Ðthe€act€which€the€law€specifies;€for€temperature€changes€not€only€with€the€seasons,€but€from€hour€toÐ ”'0!$ Ðhour.€Such€permission€practically€allows€a€change€of€rite€in€òòall€óóclimes.€For€illustration,€if€a€candidateÐ €("% Ðis€to€he€òòimmersed€óóonly€when€the€temperature€is€70ðð€or€above,€and€to€be€sprinkled€when€below,€andÐ l)#& Ðan€announcement€had€been€made€of€a€ð ðbaptism€by€immersionðð€in€the€evening€of€a€warm€SeptemberÐ X*ô#' Ðday,€and€with€the€setting€sun€the€temperature€dropped€to€68ðð,€the€baptism€by€immersion€would€haveÐ D+à$( Ðto€be€postponed,€or€a€sprinkling€substituted€for€it.Ð 0,Ì%) Ðà  àBut€where€are€those€regions€whose€cold€makes€immersion€impracticable?€The€practiceÐ d Ð(immersion)€of€the€Greek€Church,€amid€the€cold€of€Russia€and€Siberia,€shows€that€they€form€noÐ Pì Ðhabitable€part€of€this€earth.Ð <Ø Ðà  àAs€to€the€objection€that€three€thousand€could€not€be€immersed€in€one€day€ð!ð€€the€Bible€doesÐ ( Ä Ðnot€say€they€were€òòbaptized€óóin€one€day,€but€that€they€were€òòadded€óóunto€the€church;€and€if€they€were,Ð  ° Ðthe€twelve€disciples,€assisted€by€the€seventy,€could€easily€have€done€it.Ð  œ Ðà  àAs€to€other€objections,€such€as€that€the€Philippian€jailer€was€not€immersed,€etc.,€it€devolvesÐ ì ˆ Ðupon€those€who€deny€them€to€òòprove€them€impossible.Ð Ø t ÐÌóóÓ  Óò òOBJECTION€TO€BEING€RE-BAPTIZED.Ð °L  Ðó óÓ^õÓÌà  àð ðBut€I€have€already€been€baptized€in€my€infancy,€and€it€is€needless€now€to€repeat€it.ðð€WhatÐ ˆ$  Ðwas€done€for€you€as€an€infant,€and€without€your€consent,€is€not€binding€on€you.€It€was€not€òòyou€óóthatÐ t  Ðdid€it,€but€others€for€you.€It€is€YOUR€DUTY€òòto€obey€the€divine€command.€óóScriptural€or€ChristianÐ `ü  Ðbaptism,€as€instituted€by€Christ,€is€an€òòimmersion€in€water€óóand€a€confession€of€faith€in€him;€and€isÐ Lè  Ðintended€to€be€a€public€òòprofession€óóof€your€own€òòfaith€óóin€Christ;€hence,€it€follows€that€òòany€other€actÐ 8Ô  Ðóóis€not€a€Scriptural€baptism€such€as€Christ€requires;€and€a€person€sprinkled€in€infancy,€when€faith€andÐ $À Ða€confession€of€faith€are€impossible,€is€unbaptized.Ð ¬ Ðà  àIt€is€a€principle€of€American€Common€Law€that€it€a€òòminor€óógives€a€penal€bond,€that€bond€isÐ ü˜ Ðof€no€value€when€he€reaches€his€majority,€unless€he€replaces€it€by€another.€How€much€less€bindingÐ è„ Ðthen€must€be€a€bond€signed,€not€by€the€minor€himself,€but€by€his€guardian.€To€apply€theÐ Ôp Ðillustration-the€baptism€of€an€infant,€which€is€but€a€covenant€vow€of€his€sponsors,€is€òònot€óóbinding€onÐ À\ Ðhim;€and€if€he€would€make€it€binding€on€himself,€and€desires€to€secure€its€òòbenefits,€óóhe€should€ratifyÐ ¬H Ðit;€not€by€affirming€the€old€bond€(as€in€confirmation),€which€will€not€hold€in€law,€but€by€a€òònewÐ ˜4 Ðóóbond-by€being€really€baptized€on€confession€of€his€faith.Ð „  ÐÌÓ  Óò òð ðBUT€I€DO€NOT€WISH€TO€BECOME€A€BAPTIST.ððó óÐ \ø ÐÓ(üÓÌà  àð ðThey€are€a€bigoted€people,€and€sectarian€division€on€minor€truths€are€to€be€avoided.Ð 4 Ð ÐChristians€must€be€more€charitable,€and€make€sacrifices€to€promote€òòunion€óóin€the€churches€of€Christ.ððÐ  !¼ ÐPlausible€reasoning,€but€unsound.€We€do€not€urge€you€to€become€a€Baptist,€or€to€indulge€in€òòsectarianÐ  "¨ Ðóófeeling,€but€only€to€òòobey€óóChrist,€and€lend€your€influence€and€example€to€induce€others€to€do€theÐ ø"” Ðsame.Ð ä#€  Ðà  àMake€any€personal€sacrifices€you€please€to€promote€union€among€Christians;€but€never€tryÐ Ð$l! Ðto€secure€it€at€the€cost€of€faithfulness€to€the€Master.€Remember€ð"ð€ð ðTo€obey€is€better€than€sacrifice,Ð ¼%X" Ðand€to€hearken€than€the€fat€of€rams.ðð€(1€Samuel€15:€22.)€If€Christians€of€all€denominations€wouldÐ ¨&D # Ðonly€observe€the€ordinance€as€the€Lord€òòcommanded,€óóit€would€promote€harmony€and€union€amongÐ ”'0!$ Ðhis€disciples.€The€truth€is,€òòthat€immersion,€as€baptism,€is,€like€gold€coin,€current€in€all€the€churches.Ð €("% ÐóóThey€all€accept€it€as€òòvalid€óóbaptism.€And€the€blame€for€lack€of€harmony€rests€upon€those€who€areÐ l)#& Ðeither€òòignorant€óóof€the€command€of€Christ€or€òòindifferent€óóto€it.Ð X*ô#' Ðà  àTo€those€who€know€what€the€baptism€is€which€Jesus€received€and€commanded,€but€haveÐ D+à$( Ðnever€yet€submitted€thereto,€let€the€words€of€Ananias€come€with€especial€emphasis€ð!ð€€ð ðAND€NOW,Ð 0,Ì%) ÐWHY€TARRIEST€THOU?€ARISE,€AND€BE€BAPTIZED.ððÐ d ÐÌØ! !ØÓ  Óò òVI.€BAPTISTERIES.ó óÐ <Ø ÐÓ2ÓÌà  àAt€first,€baptism€was€administered€in€rivers,€pools,€baths€ð"ð€wherever€a€sufficient€quantityÐ  ° Ðof€water€could€be€conveniently€obtained.€Cisterns€and€pools€were€abundant€in€Jerusalem,€and€theÐ  œ Ðwater€supply€plentiful,€not€only€for€drinking€purposes,€but€for€bathing.€Indeed,€every€good-sizedÐ ì ˆ Ðhouse€had€a€bath€in€the€centre€of€it;€and€tradition€says€that€the€jailer€was€baptized€in€a€bath€in€theÐ Ø t Ðjail-yard.€In€the€fourth€century,€baptisteries€began€to€be€erected.€They€were€large€buildings€adjoiningÐ Ä ` Ðthe€churches.€There€was€usually€but€one€in€a€city,€attached€to€the€bishop's,€or€cathedral€church.€In€theÐ °L  Ðold€Cathedral€of€Mayence,€the€ancient€baptistery€is€a€marble-cased€pool,€from€eight€to€ten€feet€inÐ œ8  Ðdiameter,€and€four€or€five€feet€in€depth,€with€steps€at€the€side€by€which€the€candidates€descended€forÐ ˆ$  Ðbaptism.€The€baptistery€was€generally€located€in€the€centre€of€the€building,€and€at€the€sides€wereÐ t  Ðnumerous€apartments€for€the€accommodation€of€the€candidates.Ð `ü  Ðà  àWithout€going€into€a€detailed€account€of€these€ancient€baptisteries,€it€will€suffice€to€say€thatÐ Lè  Ðmany€of€them€can€be€seen€by€modern€travelers€in€the€countries€of€Europe.Ð 8Ô  ÐÌØ! !ØÓ  Óò òVII.€INFANT€BAPTISM.ó óÐ ¬ ÐÓ ÓÌà  àThe€first€mention€ever€made€of€ð ðInfant€Baptismðð€by€any€known€author,€was€by€Tertullian,Ð è„ Ðof€Africa€about€the€year€204€A.€D.,€in€his€work,€ð ðDe€Baptismoðð;€and€he€there€speaks€of€it€asÐ Ôp Ðsomething€previously€unknown,€and€protests€against€it.€Not€a€word€is€said€of€ð ðinfant€baptism,ðð€norÐ À\ Ðany€allusion€made€to€it€in€the€Bible;€while€the€plain€and€positive€teaching€of€the€Bible,€that€believersÐ ¬H Ðòòonly€óówere€baptized€in€apostolic€times,€and€that€only€such€are€now€proper€subjects€of€baptism,Ð ˜4 Ðvirtually€prohibits€the€baptism€of€infants.Ð „  Ðà  àInfant€baptism,€and€sprinkling,€and€pouring,€all€had€their€origin€about€the€same€time€ð!ð€duringÐ p  Ðthe€third€century€ð!ð€€and€were€the€outgrowth€of€that€heresy,€ð ðBaptismal€Regenerationðð€ð!ð€€that€is,€thatÐ \ø Ðthe€ð ðnew€birthðð€accompanies€baptism;€hence€the€òònecessity€óóof€baptism€to€salvation.€Thus€Augustine,Ð Hä ÐA.€D.€410,€says:€ð ðThe€Catholic€Church€has€ever€held€that€unbaptized€infants€will€miss,€not€only€theÐ 4 Ð Ðkingdom€of€heaven,€but€also€eternal€life.ððÐ  !¼ Ðà  àThe€Council€of€Carthage,€that€met€in€A.€D.€253,€was€composed€of€sixty-six€bishops,€orÐ  "¨ Ðpastors,€and€was€presided€over€by€Cyprian.Ð ø"” Ðà  àOne€of€the€questions€submitted€for€its€decision€was,€ð ðWhether€a€child€should€be€baptizedÐ ä#€  Ðbefore€it€was€òòeight€óódays€old?ðð€The€fact€that€such€a€question€was€sent€to€the€Council,€shows€that€infantÐ Ð$l! Ðbaptism€was€a€new€thing.€Had€it€been€practiced€from€the€days€of€the€apostles,€that€question€wouldÐ ¼%X" Ðhave€been€decided€long€before€A.€D.€253.€The€Council€decided€ð ðYesðð!€assigning€this€weighty€reason:Ð ¨&D # Ðð ðAs€far€as€in€us€lies,€no€soul,€if€possible,€is€to€be€lost.ðð€Query:€Why€did€they€not€decide€to€baptizeÐ ”'0!$ Ðit€the€òòmoment€óóit€was€born?€Ð €("% Ðà  àBut€the€Roman€Catholic€Church€is€consistent.€It€does€not€claim€that€infant€baptism€is€taughtÐ l)#& Ðin€the€Bible,€or€was€administered€by€the€apostles;€but€it€òòdoes€óóclaim€that€that€church€is€God'sÐ X*ô#' Ðrepresentative€and€viceregent€on€the€earth,€and€has€a€right€to€change€or€institute€ordinances.Ð D+à$( Ðà  àAs€infants€were€unable€to€exercise€faith,€ð ðsponsors,ðð€in€number€from€two€to€a€hundred,€wereÐ 0,Ì%) Ðingeniously€supplied,€who€professed,€òòin€behalf€of€the€infant,€óóto€repent,€renounce€the€devil€and€all€hisÐ d Ðworks,€and€to€believe€the€doctrines€of€the€gospel.€Infant€ð ðcommunionðð€began€about€the€same€timeÐ Pì Ðas€infant€baptism,€and€continued€until€about€A.€D.€1000.Ð <Ø ÐÌÓ  Óò òREASONS€ADVANCED€FOR€INFANT€BAPTISM.ó óòòÐ  ° ÐÓáÓÌà  à1.€Baptism€in€place€of€circumcision.€ð"ð€óóSome€hold€that,€as€Jewish€children€were€circumcised,Ð ì ˆ Ðtherefore€the€children€of€Christian€parents€ought€to€be€baptized.€God€commanded€the€former,€heÐ Ø t Ðòònever€óócommanded€the€latter.Ð Ä ` Ðà  àIf€baptism€takes€the€place€of€circumcision,€their€male€servants€and€slaves,€as€well€as€maleÐ °L  Ðchildren,€must€be€baptized;€for€all€such€were€commanded€to€be€circumcised.€Females€must€not€beÐ œ8  Ðbaptized,€since€they€were€not€to€be€circumcised.€All€male€children€of€òòmembers€of€the€church€óómustÐ ˆ$  Ðbe€baptized€on€the€òòeighth€óóday;€and€all€who€are€not€baptized,€are€òòforever€lost;€óófor€the€male€child€thatÐ t  Ðwas€not€circumcised,€was€to€be€òòcut€off€from€his€people.׃×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð `ü  ÐóóThere€are€two€facts€which€argue€against€.the€assumption€that€ð ðbaptismðð€takes€the€place€ofÐ Lè  Ðcircumcision.Ð 8Ô  Ðòòà  àFirst€ð!ð€óóWhen€the€apostles€and€elders€were€assembled€at€Jerusalem€to€consider€the€question,Ð $À Ðð ðwhether€Gentile€converts€should€be€circumcisedðð€(Acts€15),€not€a€word€was€said€about€any€suchÐ ¬ Ðdoctrine,€which€naturally,€and€almost€necessarily,€would€Ô#† Xë¥XXX륛#ÔÔ‡Xë¥XX Xë¥Ôhave€been€spoken€of,€and€would€have€beenÐ ü˜ Ðan€effectual€answer€to€the€question€at€issue;€for€if€the€Gentile€converts€had€been€baptized,€andÐ è„ Ðbaptism€takes€the€place€of€circumcision,€why€then€did€the€Jewish€Christians€want€them€circumcised?Ð Ôp Ðòòà  àSecond.€ð!ð€€óóCircumcision€was€observed€by€the€Jewish€Christians€long€after€the€baptism€wasÐ À\ Ðenjoined,€and€in€use;€and€even€Paul€circumcised€Timothy,€òòafter€óóhe€had€been€baptized€(Acts€16:€3),Ð ¬H Ðwhich€was€entirely€ð ðout€of€order,ðð€if€baptism€had€taken€its€place.€Circumcision€was€a€command€toÐ ˜4 Ðòòparents€and€masters.€óó(Gen.€17:12.)€Baptism€is€a€command€to€òòeach€individual€óóto€be€obeyed€by€òòhimselfóóÐ „  ÐØ! !Øà  à2.€òòBaptism€of€households.€ð!ð€óóThat€the€apostles€generally€baptized€whole€households,€is€noÐ p  Ðproof€that€they€baptized€òòinfants;€óófor€who€can€prove€that€those€households€contained€infants?Ð \ø ÐòòMultitudes€of€households€contain€none.Ð Hä Ðóóà  àBut,€happily,€as€to€four€out€of€five€cases€of€household€baptism€mentioned€in€the€NewÐ 4 Ð ÐTestament,€we€are€not€left€to€inferential€evidence.€The€Spirit€of€God€has€expressly€indicated€that€theÐ  !¼ Ðhouseholds€of€Cornelius,€of€the€Jailer,€of€Crispus,€and€of€Stephanas,€were€composed€of€believers;Ð  "¨ Ðof€persons€able€to€believe,€to€rejoice,€to€speak€with€tongues,€and€to€minister€to€the€saints.€As€regardsÐ ø"” Ðthe€fifth,€the€household€of€Lydia,€it€is€impossible€to€show€that€Lydia€had€any€children,€or€that€she€wasÐ ä#€  Ðeven€a€married€woman.Ð Ð$l! Ðà  àIt€is€true€that€Christ€blessed€little€children,€and€said:€òòð ðOf€such€is€the€kingdom€of€heavenðð;€óóbutÐ ¼%X" Ðthe€fact€that€he€blessed€them,€is€surely€no€reason€why€we€should€òòbaptize€óóthem.€He€only€òòblessed€óóthem,Ð ¨&D # Ðand€his€example€authorizes€us€to€do€nothing€more;€and€when€he€said:€òòð ðOf€such€óóis€òòthe€kingdom€ofÐ ”'0!$ Ðheaven,ðð€óóhe€meant€that€all€those€who€belong€to€the€kingdom€of€heaven€become€òòlike€óólittle€children,Ð d Ðthat€is,€childlike,€obedient,€trustful.Ð Pì Ðà  àThis€act€of€blessing€little€children,€which€occurred€near€the€close€of€Christ's€earthly€ministry,Ð <Ø Ðinstead€of€proving€the€baptism€of€infant€children,€proves€the€òòreverse;€óófor€if€infant€baptism€had€beenÐ ( Ä Ðknown€to€the€disciples,€they€would€have€understood€the€object€of€the€parents€in€bringing€theirÐ  ° Ðchildren€to€Christ,€and€would€not€have€rebuked€them€for€so€doing.€(Mark€10:13-16.)Ð  œ ÐÌÓ  Óò òTHE€PROMISE€TO€YOU€AND€YOUR€CHILDREN.ó óÐ Ø t ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThe€advocates€of€infant€baptism€sometimes€quote€Acts€2:€39€òòð!ð€ð ðFor€the€promise€is€to€you,Ð °L  Ðand€to€your€children.ðð€óóRead€the€whole€passage,€and€it€will€expose€the€plea,€drawn€from€a€garbledÐ œ8  Ðquotation:Ð ˆ$  ÐÌà8  àà ` àRepent,€and€be€baptized€every€one€of€you;€and€ye€shall€receive€the€gift€of€theÐ `ü  ÐHoly€Ghost.€For€the€promise€is€to€you,€and€to€your€children,€and€to€all€that€are€afarÐ Lè  Ðoff,€even€as€many€as€the€Lord€our€God€shall€call.€Then€they€that€gladly€received€hisÐ 8Ô  Ðword€were€baptized.Ð$ÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àWhat€is€the€òòpromise€óóhere€mentioned?€In€verse€16€(Acts€2),€we€are€told€that€it€is€the€gift€of€theÐ ü˜ ÐòòHoly€Spirit.€óóTo€òòwhom€óóis€the€promise€made?€òòð ðTo€youðð€óó(Jews),€òòð ðand€your€childrenðð€óó(the€wordÐ è„ Ðtranslated€children€means€posterity).€As€Joel€says,€ð ðYour€òòsons€óóand€your€òòdaughtersðð€óó(not€babes,€butÐ Ôp Ðchildren),€òòð ðshall€prophesy.ðð€ð ðAnd€to€all€that€are€afar€off'€ð!ð€óóthat€is,€the€Gentiles€ð!ð€as€Joel€says,€òòð ðallÐ À\ Ðfleshðð€ð!ð€ð ðeven€as€many€as€the€Lord€our€God€shall€call.ðð€óóThe€remaining€words€settle€the€matter:Ð ¬H Ðð ðThen€they€that€òògladly€received€óóhis€word€òòwere€baptizedðð€óóIn€other€words,€the€promise€is€to€YOU,€òòonÐ ˜4 Ðcondition€of€repentance;€óóand€to€òòyour€children€on€the€same€condition.Ð „  Ðóóà  àBut€ought€not€parents€to€òòdedicate€óótheir€children€to€God?€Certainly!€A€Christian€ought€toÐ p  Ðòòconsecrate€óóhimself,€and€all€he€has,€to€God.€But€this€is€to€be€done€by€the€òòparents€óóthemselves,€not€byÐ \ø Ðpriests€or€ministers.€Dedication€and€baptism€are€two€different€things.€Yes,€fathers€and€mothers,€takeÐ Hä Ðyour€little€ones€to€Jesus,€in€the€arms€of€prayer€and€faith.€When€they€are€old€enough,€pray€with€them,Ð 4 Ð Ðsend€them€to€Sunday-school,€train€them€for€heaven,€and€let€òòyour€example€óólead€the€way.Ð  !¼ ÐÌÓ  Óò òEVILS€OF€INFANT€BAPTISM.ó óÐ ø"” ÐÌÓ  Óà  à1.€òòSecularizing€the€churches€ð!ð€€óóThe€evil€of€infant€baptism€is€seen€in€its€tendency€to€òòsecularizeÐ Ð$l! Ðthe€church.€óóIt€obliterates€and€abolishes€the€line€of€separation€between€the€church€and€the€world.Ð ¼%X" ÐWhen€the€whole€community€is€a€baptized€community,€what€is€this€in€effect€but€the€taking€of€theÐ ¨&D # Ðworld€into€the€church€bodily?€This€is€seen€in€the€Roman€Catholic€Church.Ð ”'0!$ Ðà  àIn€the€days€of€Jonathan€Edwards€(1751),€no€man€could€hold€office€unless€he€had€beenÐ €("% Ðbaptized.€The€result€was€that€the€church€was€filled€with€hypocrites€and€ungodly€men;€and€when€Mr.Ð l)#& ÐEdwards€refused€to€receive€such€at€the€Lord's€Table,€it€led€to€his€dismissal€from€the€church€by€a€voteÐ X*ô#' Ðof€over€two€hundred€to€less€than€twenty.Ð D+à$( Ðà  àA€church€thus€largely€composed€of€unregenerate€persons,€who€have€much€to€say€in€regardÐ 0,Ì%) Ðto€its€management,€will€be€apt€to€favor€any€innovations€that€will€gratify€the€gay,€sensual,€world1),Ð d Ðtendencies€of€its€members,€and€thus€cause€the€church€to€make€a€wide€departure€from€apostolic€ruleÐ Pì Ðand€practice.Ð <Ø Ðà  à2.€òòUnion€of€Church€and€State.€ð"ðóóAnother€of€the€evils€resulting€from€infant€baptism€has€beenÐ ( Ä Ðthe€òòunion€óóbetween€Church€and€State,€as€seen€in€the€Roman€Catholic€Church€and€the€Church€ofÐ  ° ÐEngland.Ð  œ Ðà  à3.€€òòIt€encourages€false€views€of€baptism.€ð!ð€óóBaptists€believe€that€a€child€dying€in€infancy,Ð ì ˆ Ðbefore€it€has€come€to€a€knowledge€of€good€and€evil,€will€be€saved.€David€said€of€his€infant€son€ð!ð€€òòð ðIÐ Ø t Ðshall€go€to€him.ðð€óóWe€leave€those€who€have€not€reached€an€age€which€renders€them€capable€ofÐ Ä ` Ðaccepting€or€rejecting€the€Saviour€of€sinners,€where€the€Bible€leaves€them€ð!ð€in€the€hands€of€aÐ °L  Ðmerciful€and€gracious€God.Ð œ8  Ðà  àIt€is€a€òòfact€óóthat€the€firm€stand€the€Baptists€have€taken€against€infant€baptism€has€caused€it€toÐ ˆ$  Ðbe€òòextensively€neglected€óóof€late€in€Pedobaptist€churches.€Ð t  Ðà  àThe€Rev.€F.€M.€Iams,€in€his€book€entitled€ð ðBehind€the€Scenes,ðð€mentions€the€followingÐ `ü  Ðpersonal€experience:€ð ðOne€day,€while€walking€in€the€country€several€miles€from€home,€as€I€passedÐ Lè  Ðthe€door€of€a€plain,€neat€farm-house,€a€woman€came€out€and€hailed€me.€She€was€the€farmer's€wife,Ð 8Ô  Ða€tidy€German€woman,€whom€I€had€met€not€long€before€at€a€country€wedding.€Coming€toward€theÐ $À Ðgate,€she€said:€'Pees€you€de€minister€at€Tð!ð€€ð!ð€?'€I€confessed€that€I€was.€Then€she€asked,€anxiously:Ð ¬ Ð'Does€you€paptize€papies?'€I€acknowledged€that€I€was€in€the€habit€of€doing€so.€Then€she€came€toÐ ü˜ Ðbusiness€at€once,€in€these€words:€'Veil,€den,€I€vants€you€to€come€right€in,€and€paptize€my€dree€littleÐ è„ Ðvuns.'€I€told€her€how€glad€I€would€be€to€comply€with€her€request,€were€it€proper€to€do€so.€I€thenÐ Ôp Ðcarefully€explained€the€nature€of€the€ceremony;€that€it€was€a€covenant€between€the€parents€of€theÐ À\ Ðchildren€and€the€church,€in€which€they,€together,€gave€the€children€to€the€Lord,€and€agreed€to€trainÐ ¬H Ðthem€up€'in€the€nurture€and€admonition€of€the€Lord',€whence€it€was€necessary€that€it€should€beÐ ˜4 Ðobserved€in€the€presence€of€the€church,€and€that€at€least€one€of€the€parents€should€be€a€member€ofÐ „  Ðthe€church.׃'×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€I€invited€her€to€bring€her€children€to€our€meeting,€to€unite€with€the€church€herself,€andÐ p  Ðthen€to€have€her€little€ones€baptized.Ð \ø Ðà  àð ðI€was€astonished€at€the€effect€of€my€quiet,€matter-of-fact€words.€'Ah,€no,'€she€cried;€'it€peesÐ Hä Ða€long€vay€to€de€town,€and€ye€got€no€team.€It€pees€a€long€time€pefore€ve€can€come€to€de€town;€andÐ 4 Ð Ðmay-pc€de€poor€leetle€tings€die,€mit€no€baptism;€òòan'€den€dey€perish,€shoosts€like€de€peasts€of€theÐ  !¼ Ðfield;€dey€got€no€soul,€no€immortality,€no€eternal€life;€óó'CAUSE€DEY€NOT€PAPTIZED!Ð  "¨ Ðà  àð ðIt€was€a€cry€of€anguish.€All€her€mother-heart€seemed€compressed€into€her€poor,€brokenÐ ø"” Ðwords.€Her€voice€was€tremulous€with€feeling,€and€every€word€seemed€drenched€in€tears.Ð ä#€  Ðà  àð ðEvidently,€she€was€terribly€in€earnest,€and€regarded€the€baptism€of€her€children€as€a€matterÐ Ð$l! Ðof€the€highest€moment,€òòóóinvolving€their€eternal€destiny.€It€was€a€fearful€revelation€to€me.€I€had€readÐ ¼%X" Ðabout€such€distorted€views€of€baptism;€but€they€had€always€seemed€to€me€exaggerated€andÐ ¨&D # Ðimpossible.€I€was€amazed,€shocked,€and,€for€a€few€moments,€thoroughly€upset.€As€soon€as€I€couldÐ ”'0!$ Ðrally€my€bewildered€wits,€I€tried€to€convince€her€that€she€greatly€overestimated€baptism;€that€it€hadÐ €("% Ðno€saving€virtue,€and€that€her€children€would€not€be€lost€for€want€of€it,€even€if€they€should€dieÐ l)#& Ðwithout€it.€But€the€training€and€prejudices€of€a€life‚time€were€not€to€be€overcome€in€an€hour.Ð d Ðà  àð ðAt€length,€in€very€desperation,€I€cried€out:€`Do€you€really€think€I€can€give€your€childrenÐ Pì Ðòòimmortality,€eternal€life,€by€putting€a€little€water€on€them?'Ð <Ø Ðóóà  àð ðHer€answer€came€swift,€strong,€and€utterly€'confounding€to€all€half-way€Pedobaptists€ð"ð€'ToÐ ( Ä Ðbe€sure€you€can;€and€if€you€can't,€VOT'S€DE€GOOD€OF€IT?ððÐ  ° Ðà  àFrom€this€illustration,€we€see€that€infant€baptism€is€misleading.€and€has€a€tendency€to€makeÐ  œ Ðthe€less€intelligent€class€of€people€believe€that€it€has€a€real€saving€power.Ð ì ˆ Ðà  àThat€infant€baptism€does€òònot€óóregenerate€is€evident€from€the€fact€that€many€persons,€who€wereÐ Ø t Ðbaptized€in€infancy,€show€by€their€conduct€that€they€were€òònever€óóborn€again.€Our€jails€contain€manyÐ Ä ` Ðof€them;€and€the€moral€state€of€Italy,€France,€and€Spain,€where€the€practice€is€almost€universal,Ð °L  Ðproves€the€fact.Ð œ8  ÐØ! !Øà  à4.€òòIt€injures€our€children.€ð!ð€óóAgain,€infant€baptism€does€a€serious€injury€to€our€children.€ItÐ ˆ$  Ðnourishes€in€them€a€vague€idea€that€òòsomething€has€been€performed€towards€their€salvation,€óóand€thatÐ t  Ðòòsomehow€óóthey€will€be€saved,€because€they€are€within€the€pale€of€the€church.€In€the€form€for€theÐ `ü  Ðð ðPublic€Baptism€of€Infants,ðð€in€the€Book€of€Common€Prayer€of€the€Protestant€Episcopal€Church,€weÐ Lè  Ðfind€that,€òòafter€óóthe€child€has€been€baptized,€the€minister€òòshall€óósay:Ð 8Ô  ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àà ` àSeeing€now,€dearly€beloved€brethren,€that€this€child€is€òòregenerate,€óóandÐ ¬ Ðgrafted€into€the€body€of€Christ's€church,€etc.Ðü˜Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ  ÓÓ  Óà  àAnd€in€the€Catechism,€that€is€to€be€learned€before€a€person€can€be€confirmed€by€the€Bishop,Ð Ôp Ðthe€candidate€having€been€asked€his€or€her€name,€is€then€asked:Ð À\ ÐÌà8  àà ` àWho€gave€you€this€name?€ANS:€ð!ð€€My€sponsors€in€baptism,€òòwherein€óóI€wasÐ ˜4 Ðmade€a€member€of€Christ,€the€child€of€God,€and€an€inheritor€of€the€kingdom€ofÐ „  Ðheaven.Ðp Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àFrom€the€above€it€is€clearly€seen€that€the€Protestant€Episcopal€Church€teaches€that€infantÐ Hä Ðbaptism€is€a€saving€ordinance;€and€children€are€led€to€trust€in€it€for€salvation;€and€members€of€thatÐ 4 Ð Ðchurch,€when€asked€for€their€òòground€of€hope,€óóoften€say:€ð ðOh!€I€was€received€into€the€church€byÐ  !¼ Ðbaptism,€and€am€òòtherefore€a€member€of€Christ,€a€child€of€God,€and€an€inheritor€of€the€kingdom€ofÐ  "¨ Ðheaven.ððÐ ø"” ÐØ! !Øà  à5.€Infant€baptism€fosters€prejudices.€ð"ð€óóIt€causes€children€to€repel€the€thought€that€theirÐ ä#€  Ðparents€could€have€been€òòmistaken,€óóand€so€they€refuse€to€search€the€Scriptures€for€themselves€whenÐ Ð$l! Ðthey€grow€up.€Or€it€may€be€that€when€they€are€converted,€and€behold€the€joy€of€others€in€baptism,Ð ¼%X" Ðthey€may€wish€to€be€baptized€themselves;€but€are€told:€ð ðYou€have€already€been€baptized.ððÐ ¨&D # Ðà  àThe€more€they€inquire€and€search€the€Scriptures,€the€greater€is€their€desire,€and€the€more€itÐ ”'0!$ Ðseems€their€duty,€to€profess€faith€in€Christ€by€baptism.Ð €("% Ðòòà  àWhat€shall€they€do?€óóShall€they€set€at€naught€the€rite€that€their€revered€parents€thought€properÐ l)#& Ðto€have€performed,€and€so€reflect€on€their€belief?€There€is€a€fearful€conflict€between€seeming€dutyÐ X*ô#' Ðto€their€parents€and€seeming€duty€to€Christ.Ð D+à$( Ðà  àBut€how€dare€they€disobey€his€command?€It€is€assuming€a€fearful€responsibility;€and€theÐ 0,Ì%) ÐChristian€who€assumes€it€must€have€forgotten€what€the€Lord€says€of€those€who€òòlove€father€or€motherÐ d Ðmore€than€him.Ð Pì Ðóóà  àYour€òòplain€duty,€óóand€your€òòonly€safety,€óóis€to€do€what€you€believe€to€be,€on€the€whole,€mostÐ <Ø Ðagreeable€to€the€word€and€will€of€Christ,€òòat€whatever€sacrifice€of€your€tenderest€earthly€feelings.€óóInÐ ( Ä Ðdoing€so€you€do€òònot€óódishonor€your€parents;€but€you€honor€the€sincerity€with€which€they€acted,€andÐ  ° Ðyou€do€a€òòduty€óótowards€your€own€children€in€setting€the€example€of€doing€what€òòyou€óóthink€is€right.Ð  œ ÐThe€Lord's€message€to€you€is:€ð ðWHY€TARRIEST€THOU?€ARISE€AND€BE€BAPTIZED.ððÐ ì ˆ ÐÌÓÜLÓò òVIII.€THE€LORD'S€SUPPER.ó óÐ Ä ` ÐÓ;ÓÌà  àBaptists€do€not€designate€the€ð ðLord's€Supperðð€as€a€ð ðsacra‚ment.ðð€To€them€it€is€a€ð ðjoyfulÐ œ8  Ðfestival,ðð€as€the€ð ðPassoverðð€was€to€the€Jew,€in€grateful€remembrance€of€our€Deliverer,€and€theÐ ˆ$  Ðdeliverance€he€wrought€for€us,€and€nothing€more.€ð ðThis€do€in€òòremembrance€óóof€me.ðð€(1€Cor.€11:€24,Ð t  Ð25.)Ð `ü  Ðà  àThere€is€not€the€slightest€warrant€in€Scripture€for€the€belief€that€the€Lord€Jesus€is€in€any€senseÐ Lè  Ðpresent€in€the€bread€and€wine,€or€that€his€presence€in€the€believer's€heart€during€the€ð ðSupperðð€òòisÐ 8Ô  Ðdifferent€in€kind€óófrom€his€presence€in€him€at€prayer,€or€in€any€other€spiritual€exercise.Ð $À Ðà  àThe€doctrine€of€ð ðTRANSUBSTANTIATION,ðð€which€is€that€the€bread€and€wine€are€changedÐ ¬ Ðby€the€words€of€consecration€into€the€actual€substance€of€the€body€and€blood€of€Christ,€was€firstÐ ü˜ Ðtaught€in€the€ninth€century€by€Paschasius€Radbert.€After€three€centuries€of€opposition€it€wasÐ è„ Ðproclaimed€a€dogma€in€the€Roman€Catholic€Church€by€the€ð ðFourth€Lateran€Council€(A.€D.€1215)€Ø!¾ !ØÐ Ôp Ðand€in€the€sixteenth€century€it€was€reaffirmed€with€more€ample€statement,€and€higher€solemnity,€byÐ À\ Ðthe€Council€of€Trent.Ð ¬H Ðà  àThis€miracle,€which,€at€òòthe€word€of€a€mere€man,€óótransmutes€a€wafer€òòinto€God,€óóis€affirmed€onÐ ˜4 Ðthe€strength€of€two€passages:Ð „  ÐÌà8  àòòà ` àFirst.€óóExcept€ye€eat€the€flesh€of€the€Son€of€man,€and€drink€his€blood;€ye€haveÐ \ø Ðno€life€in€you.€John€6:€53.ÐHäÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àThis€is€inadmissible;€for€Christ€spake€these€words€òòbefore€the€Lord's€Supper€was€instituted.Ð  !¼ ÐÌà8  àà ` àSecond:€óóThis€is€my€body.€This€is€my€blood.Ðø"”Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àHow€could€that€be€literally€true,€when€Christ€was€òòseated€with€them€in€the€flesh?€óóThese€wordsÐ Ð$l! Ðare€to€be€taken€in€the€same€way€in€which€we€take€the€words:€ð ðI€am€the€òòdoorðð€óóð ðThat€òòrock€óówasÐ ¼%X" ÐòòChrist.ððÐ ¨&D # Ðóóà  àLuther€denied€ð ðtransubstantiation,ðð€but€insisted€on€the€òòreal€and€corporeal€presence€of€ChristÐ ”'0!$ Ðóóin€the€Supper;€so€that,€while€the€bread€and€wine€were€not€changed€by€the€words€of€consecration,€yetÐ €("% Ðthe€body€and€blood€of€Christ€were€mystically€united€with€them.€This€doctrine€is€held€by€theÐ l)#& ÐLutherans,€and€is€called€òòð ðcon-substantiation.ððÐ X*ô#' Ðóóà  àThe€Baptists€hold€that€these€views€are€not€tenable€and€that,€therefore,€the€bread€and€wine€areÐ D+à$( Ðbut€òòsymbols€óódivinely€appointed€to€represent€the€body€and€blood€of€Christ,€through€the€use€of€whichÐ 0,Ì%) Ðsymbols€the€òòsacrifice€óóof€Christ€is€vividly€presented€to€the€mind,€and€by€partaking€of€which€theÐ d Ðbeliever€expresses,€in€an€outward€and€significant€act,€his€òòfaith€óóin€that€sacrifice.Ð Pì Ðà  àEpiscopalians€and€Methodists,€as€well€as€Romanists€and€Lutherans,€receive€the€bread€andÐ <Ø Ðwine€in€the€Lord's€Supper€òòkneeling.€óóThis€posture€is€an€unnatural€one,€and€doubtless€had€its€origin€inÐ ( Ä Ðthe€Romish€doctrine€of€transubstantiation,€the€bread€and€wine€being€considered€objects€of€adoration.Ð  ° Ðà  àThat€the€Episcopalians€and€Methodists,€who€do€not€believe€in€the€doctrine€ofÐ  œ Ðtransubstantiation,€should€use€the€following€words€when€they€hand€the€bread€to€each€person,€seemsÐ ì ˆ Ðstrange€ð!ð€€ð ðThe€òòbody€óóof€our€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€which€was€given€for€thee,€preserve€thy€body€and€soulÐ Ø t Ðunto€everlasting€lifeðð;€and€in€the€giving€of€the€cup€ð!ð€ð ðThe€òòblood€óóof€our€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€which€wasÐ Ä ` Ðshed€for€thee,€preserve€thy€body€and€soul€unto€everlasting€life.ðð€If€these€expressions€do€not€teach€theÐ °L  Ðdoctrine€of€transubstantiation,€it€will€be€difficult€to€find€other€words€in€the€English€language€thatÐ œ8  Ðwill.€Ð ˆ$  ÐÌÓœXÓÓ  Óò òPREREQUISITES€TO€THE€LORD'S€SUPPER.ó óÐ `ü  ÐÓ jÓÓGÓÌà  àPedobaptists€all€admit€that€òòbaptism€óóand€òòchurch€membership€óóare€òòprerequisites€óóto€the€Lord'sÐ 8Ô  ÐSupper;€and€that€in€the€order€named.€So€do€the€Baptists.Ð $À Ðà  àThat€baptism€precedes€the€Lord's€Supper€is€evident€from€the€Great€Commission.€(MatthewÐ ¬ Ð28:19,€20;€Mark€16:15,€16.)€The€order€is:Ð ü˜ ÐÌà  à1.òòà0 ` àPreach€óóto€all€men€the€gospel.ÐÔp` (#` (# Ðà  à2.òòà0 ` àBaptize€óóall€that€believe.ÐÀ\` (#` (# Ðà  à3.à0 ` àThen,€teach€them€to€òòobserve€all€things€óówhatsoever€Christ€has€commanded.ЬH` (#` (# ÐÌà  àà ` àThat€this€was€the€practice€of€the€apostles€is€evident€from€Acts€2:42„43.Ð „  ÐÌà8  à1.à0` Ð Ð àòòConversion.ð"ð€óóð ðThey€gladly€received€the€word.ððÐ\ø` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  à2.à0` Ð Ð àòòBaptism.€ð"ð€óóð ðThey€that€gladly€received€the€word€were€baptized.ððÐHä` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  à3.à0` Ð Ð àòòAdditions€to€the€church.€ð"ð€óóThose€baptized€were€added€unto€them.Ð4 Ð` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  à4.à0` Ð Ð àòòChurch€fellowship,€including€the€Lord's€Supper.€ð"ð€óóThose€who€were€addedÐ  !¼ Ðcontinued€steadfastly€in€the€apostle's€doctrine€and€fellowship,€and€in€theÐ  "¨ Ðòòbreaking€of€bread,€óóand€in€prayers.Ðø"”` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àA€foreigner€cannot€become€a€citizen€of€this€country€until€he€has€gone€through€the€prescribedÐ Ð$l! Ðforms€which€bind€him€to€allegiance.€He€may€be€better€fitted€for€citizenship€than€many€who€areÐ ¼%X" Ðalready€citizens,€but€he€cannot€enjoy€its€privileges€until€he€has€gone€through€these€forms;€and€òònoÐ ¨&D # Ðother€forms€that€those€prescribed€will€answer.Ð ”'0!$ Ðóóà  àOn€the€same€principle,€while€all€denominations€admit€there€are€real€Christians€and€ChristianÐ €("% Ðministers€among€the€Quakers,€yet€Pedobaptists,€as€well€as€Baptists,€will€not€permit€them€to€come€toÐ l)#& Ðthe€Lord's€Table,€because€they€have€òònot€been€baptized;€óóin€other€words,€passed€through€the€prescribedÐ X*ô#' Ðform€or€initiatory€rite€(baptism)€of€the€Christian€Church.Ð D+à$( Ðà  àThe€only€difference€between€Baptists€and€Pedobaptists€on€the€Lord's€Supper€question€is,€whatÐ 0,Ì%) Ðconstitutes€òòScriptural€óóbaptism.Ð d Ðà  àPedobaptists€hold€that€òòeither€óósprinkling,€pouring,€or,€immersion,€is€òòvalid€baptism;€óótherefore,Ð Pì Ðthey€can€consistently€invite€all€persons€that€have€been€òòeither€óósprinkled,€poured,€or€immersed,€to€theÐ <Ø ÐLord's€Table.Ð ( Ä Ðà  àThey€say€ð!ð€ð ð€We€regard€you€Baptists€as€baptized€believers,€and€would€welcome€you€to€theÐ  ° ÐLord's€Table€among€us;€why€do€you€not€welcome€us€to€the€Lord's€Table€in€your€churches?ððÐ  œ Ðà  àAh!€that€is€the€point€precisely.€But€I€think€our€Pedobaptist€friends€can€answer€that€questionÐ ì ˆ Ðthemselves.€Suppose€you,€my€Pedobaptist€friend,€were€to€wake€up€some€bright€morning,€holdingÐ Ø t Ðprecisely€the€same€views€respecting€admission€to€the€Lord's€Table€that€you€do€now€ð!ð€€that€only€thoseÐ Ä ` Ðwho€have€been€òòbaptized€óóand€are€òòchurch€members€óóshould€be€invited€ð!ð€€but€firmly€convinced€thatÐ °L  Ðòòimmersion€in€water€upon€a€public€profession€of€your€faith€in€the€Lord€Jesus,€óóis€the€ONLYÐ œ8  ÐSCRIPTURAL€BAPTISM,€what€would€you€be€then?€What€could€you€be,€but€what€is€called€a€ð ðcloseÐ ˆ$  Ðcommunionðð€Baptist?Ð t  Ðà  àThe€Baptists€are€no€more€chargeable€with€òòð ðclose€communionðð€óóthan€the€Pedobaptists.€TheyÐ `ü  Ðare€firmly€convinced€that€òòimmersion€in€water€óóis€the€òòonly€Scriptural€baptism,€óóand€therefore,€as€honestÐ Lè  Ðand€consistent€Christians,€they€cannot€invite€to€the€Lord's€Table€any€who€have€not€been€immersed.Ð 8Ô  ÐÌÓdjÓÓ  Óò òð ðBUT€IT€IS€THE€LORD'S€TABLE.ððó óÐ ¬ ÐÓD{ÓÓYÓÌà  àThose€who€plead€for€ð ðopen€communion,ðð€on€the€score€of€ð ðChristian€fellowship,ðð€forget€thatÐ è„ Ðthere€are€three€kinds€of€fellowship€ð"ð€Christian,€ministerial,€and€church€fellowship.Ð Ôp Ðòòà  àChristian€óófellowship€is€to€pray€and€sing€praises€together,€to€talk€of€the€Lord's€goodness€andÐ À\ Ðgrace,€and€rehearse€our€experiences€of€his€mercy€and€love;€and€to€labor€together€to€edify€ChristiansÐ ¬H Ðand€win€souls€for€Christ.€Ð ˜4 Ðà  àThis,€all€denominations€can€have€with€each€other.€But€church€fellowship€is€an€entirelyÐ „  Ðdifferent€thing,€and€is€for€the€members€of€an€individual€church€alone.Ð p  Ðà  àThe€Lord's€Supper€was€not€instituted€for,€nor€intended€to€express€the€fellowship€or€love€ofÐ \ø ÐChristians€for€one€another.Ð Hä Ðà  àJesus€did€not€say€ð!ð€ð ðThis€do€in€remembrance€òòof€each€otherðð€óó‚but€ð ðof€òòme.ðð€óóð ðAs€oft€as€ye€eatÐ 4 Ð Ðthis€bread,€and€drink€this€cup,€ye€do€show€-€what?ðð€Fellowship€with€one€another?€No€ð ðthe€Lord'sÐ  !¼ Ðòòdeath.ðð€óóð ðThe€cup€which€we€bless,€is€it€not€the€communion€of€‚what?ðð€Of€Christians€with€one€another?Ð  "¨ ÐNo€-€ð ða€communion€of€(or,€òòparticipation€inóó)€the€òòblood€óóof€Christ.ððÐ ø"” Ðà  àWhen€we€come€together€to€solemnly€partake€of€the€Lord's€Supper,€is€it€to€meditate€on€theÐ ä#€  Ðexcellencies€of€our€Christian€brethren,€or€on€ð ðHISðð€sufferings?€Should€a€brother€lean€toward€you€toÐ Ð$l! Ðassure€you€of€his€love€and€fellowship,€while€the€bread€was€in€your€hand,€or€the€cup€at€your€lip,€youÐ ¼%X" Ðwould€shrink€from€him,€expressing€by€your€action€that€such€a€manifestation€of€sentiment€was€out€ofÐ ¨&D # Ðplace.€You€do€not€come€to€the€table€to€òòcommune€óówith€your€brother,€but€to€meditate€on€yourÐ ”'0!$ ÐRedeemer,€and€to€ð ðshow€his€death.ððÐ €("% Ðà  àAn€erroneous€view€of€the€òòdesign€óóof€the€Lord's€Supper€often€causes€professing€Christians€toÐ l)#& Ðstay€away€from€the€Table€of€the€Lord.€Men€and€women€may€not€be€in€accord€with€one€another;€butÐ X*ô#' Ðif€they€are€in€accord€with€the€Master,€and€desire€to€show€their€love€to€òòhim,€óóduty€demands€that€theyÐ D+à$( Ðshould€not€òòslight€óóHIM€by€òòslighting€his€table.Ð 0,Ì%) Ðóóà  àIn€reference€to€the€words€of€Paul€-€ð ðHe€that€eateth€and€drinketh€unworthily,€eateth€andÐ d Ðdrinketh€damnation€to€himselfðð€-€(1€Cor.€11:20-22)€-€we€must€not€forget€that€the€Corinthians€wereÐ Pì Ðin€the€habit€of€making€a€òòfeast€óóof€the€Lord's€Supper,€and€behaving€in€an€unseemly€manner;€and€it€wasÐ <Ø Ðto€reprove€such€conduct€that€Paul€thus€wrote.€But€it€is€possible€for€persons€in€our€day€to€bring€onÐ ( Ä Ðthemselves€the€same€condemnation.€For€instance,€a€person,€not€a€Christian,€coming€into€aÐ  ° Ðcommunity€and€taking€advantage€of€the€people's€ignorance€of€his€character,€to€go€to€the€Lord's€TableÐ  œ Ðfor€business€purposes;€or€any€professing€Christian,€who€at€heart€is€a€hypocrite,€and€is€using€religionÐ ì ˆ Ðas€a€cloak.€How€can€a€professing€Christian,€who€is€engaged€in€questionable€transactions,€ð ðshow€theÐ Ø t ÐLord's€death€till€he€comes,ðð€who,€by€his€conduct,€shows€that€he€has€no€òòinterest€óóin€Christ's€death€ð"ðÐ Ä ` Ðthat€he€needs€to€be€born€again?Ð °L  Ðà  àYes,€it€is€the€Lord's€Table.€To€our€òòown€óótables€we€may€invite€whom€we€will;€but€servants€mayÐ œ8  Ðnot€give€out€invitations€to€their€Master's€Table,€except€òòin€accordance€with€their€Master'sÐ ˆ$  Ðinstructions.€óóIf€a€Christian€has€a€right,€as€such,€to€the€table,€because€it€is€the€òòLord's€Table,€óóhe€has€theÐ t  Ðsame€right€to€claim€membership€in€your€church,€because€it€is€the€òòLord's€Church,€óówhether€heÐ `ü  Ðsubscribes€to€your€articles€of€faith€or€not.Ð Lè  ÐÌÓž{ÓÓ  Óò òWHO€PUTS€UP€THE€BARS?ó óÐ $À ÐÓfŒÓÓkÓÌà  àAll€the€Pedobaptist€denominations€òòadmit€óóthat€òòimmersion€in€water€is€Scriptural€baptism.€óóWhyÐ ü˜ Ðthen€do€they€not€adopt€it,€and€so€òòsettle€óóthe€question?Ð è„ Ðà  àBy€their€not€doing€so,€it€is€òòthey€óówho€are€putting€up€the€bars;€it€is€òòthey€óówho€make€a€difference,Ð Ôp Ðand€the€trouble€arises€from€òòtheir€conduct.€óóYet€they€want€to€place€the€stigma€on€the€Baptists.Ð À\ Ðà  àPedobaptists€say:€ð ðWe€are€just€as€òòsincere€óóin€our€views€of€baptism€as€you€are;€and€on€theÐ ¬H Ðstrength€of€that€sincerity,€you€ought€to€admit€us€to€the€Lord's€Table.ðð€Strange€doctrine!€Will€sincerityÐ ˜4 Ðmake€all€our€actions€right?€If€so,€then€was€Saul€of€Tarsus€as€good€a€man€when€persecuting€theÐ „  ÐChurch€of€God€as€he€was€when,€as€Paul€the€apostle,€he€labored€to€build€up€the€faith€that€he€onceÐ p  Ðsought€to€destroy?Ð \ø Ðà  àNo€Pedobaptist€òòought€óóto€feel€hurt€if€òònot€invited€óóto€the€Lord's€Table€by€the€Baptists;€because,Ð Hä Ðknowing€their€views,€òòcommonóó€òòcourtesy€óódemands€that€he€should€respect€them.€Pedobaptists€say€thatÐ 4 Ð Ðwe€ought€to€respect€òòtheir€óóconsciences€when€they€are€in€our€churches,€particularly€on€the€baptismalÐ  !¼ Ðquestion,€and€invite€their€to€the€Lord's€Table.€If€you€came€into€my€house,€òòknowing€óóthat€1€am€aÐ  "¨ Ðtemperance€man,€ought€I€to€respect€your€conscience,€as€that€of€a€moderate€drinker,€at€the€expenseÐ ø"” Ðof€my€own,€and€sel€before€you€intoxicating€liquor?Ð ä#€  ÐÌÓ²ŒÓÓ  Óò òEVILS€OF€ð ðOPEN€COMMUNION.ððó óÐ ¼%X" ÐÓ“ÓÓ|ÓÌà  àð ðOpen€communionðð€is€a€modern€innovation,€having€no€sanction€in€Scripture,€in€the€historyÐ ”'0!$ Ðof€the€church,€or€in€reason:€and€is€attended€by€many€inconsistencies€and€dangers.Ð €("% Ðà  àBy€means€of€it,€men€or€women€who€we€would€not€fellowship€in€our€homes,€in€our€places€ofÐ l)#& Ðbusiness,€or€on€the€street,€may€come€into€our€churches,€and€there,€òòwithout€even€a€challenge,€óóbeÐ X*ô#' Ðpermitted€to€use€their€partaking€of€it€as€a€means€of€deceiving€others,€who€seeing€them€there€at€theÐ D+à$( ÐLord's€Table,€and€not€knowing€them€as€we€do,€receive€them€to€their€hurt.Ð 0,Ì%) Ðà  àDo€we€not€owe€a€duty€to€our€Lord€and€Master€to€protect€his€table?€And€can€we€better€do€itÐ ° Ðthan€by€inviting€to€the€Lord's€Table€only€those€whom€we€òòknow€óóto€be€his€òòconsistent€ð"ð€that€óóis.Ð œì ÐòòScriptural€ð"ð€followers?Ð ˆØ ÐÌóóÓÖ“ÓÓ  Óò òSOME€QUESTIONS€ANSWERED.ó óÐ `° ÐÓÓ—ÓÓ„ÓÌà  àHow€shall€we€treat€an€òòimmersed€óómember€of€a€Pedobaptist€church?€Immersed€members€of€aÐ 8 ˆ ÐPedobaptist€church,€by€having€insisted€on€immersion,€bear€testimony€òòagainst€óóinfant€baptism€andÐ $ t Ðsprinkling,€yet€by€uniting€with€a€Pedobaptist€church,€they€lend€their€influence€to€those€things€theyÐ  ` Ðpractically€deny.€Such€conduct€is€òòinconsistent,€óóat€least€it€is€held€to€be€so€by€Baptists;€and€suchÐ ü L  Ðpersons€cannot€reasonably€expect€to€be€recognized€as€Baptists,€or€accorded€the€privileges€of€a€BaptistÐ è 8  ÐChurch.€Ð Ô$  Ðà  àOught€Baptists€to€sit€down€at€the€Lord's€Table€in€Pedobaptist€churches?€No;€for€by€so€doingÐ À  Ðthey€tacitly€admit€that€the€members€of€the€Pedobaptist€church€with€whom€they€sit€down€have€beenÐ ¬ü  ÐòòScripturally€óóbaptized.€Such€conduct€is€òòinconsistent.€óóAnd€further,€it€is€not€right€to€òòaccept€a€courtesyÐ ˜è  Ðóóthat€we€cannot€return;€for€we€cannot€in€loyalty€to€our€Lord€invite€them€to€the€Lord's€Table€in€our€ownÐ „Ô  Ðchurches.Ð pÀ Ðà  àBaptists€who€live€beyond€the€reach€of€any€Baptist€church,€and€have€no€opportunity€ofÐ \¬ Ðpartaking€of€the€Lord's€Supper,€except€with€Pedobaptists,€òòshould€remain€firm€to€principle;€óófor€if€itÐ H˜ Ðis€inconsistent€thus€to€unite€with€Pedobaptists€in€the€same€town€where€there€is€a€Baptist€church,€itÐ 4„ Ðis€inconsistent€to€do€it€anywhere.Ð  p Ðà  àBut€it€is€said:€ð ðBaptists€hope€to€commune€with€Pedobaptists€in€heaven.€Why€not€here?ððÐ  \ Ðà  àThere€is€a€kind€of€impression€that€to€ð ðcommune€withðð€any€one,€means€always€to€sit€at€theÐ øH ÐLord's€Table€with€him.€Surely,€however,€our€Pedobaptist€friends€do€not€mean€to€say,€ð ðYou€expectÐ ä4 Ðto€sit€at€the€Lord's€Table€with€me€in€heaven;€why€do€you€refuse€to€do€so€here€on€earth?ðð€The€Lord'sÐ Ð  ÐSupper€and€the€Lord's€Table€of€the€New€Testament€belong€to€the€churches€here€on€earth.€The€veryÐ ¼  Ðwords,€of€its€institution€ð!ð€€ð ðDo€òòthis€in€remembrance€of€meðð€óóð!ð€indicate€that,€ð ðwhen€he€comes,ðð€itÐ ¨ø Ðshall,€at€least€as€an€ordinance,€be€done€away.€To€eat€and€drink€in€òòremembrance€óóof€one€who€is€actuallyÐ ”ä Ðpresent€is€an€absurdity.Ð €Ð Ðà  àBut€we€hope€to€ð ðcommune,ðð€(that€is,€to€enjoy€fellowship)€in€heaven,€not€only€with€manyÐ l¼ ÐPedobaptists,€both€Protestants€and€Roman€Catholics,€but€with€many€who€were€òònever€baptized,€óóandÐ X ¨ Ðhave€here€no€right€to€the€Lord's€Supper,€with€Quakers,€with€a€multitude€of€idiots,€and€infants,€withÐ D!” Ðmany€now€living€in€sin,€who€will€hereafter€be€led€to€repentance.€Shall€we€invite€all€such€to€the€Lord'sÐ 0"€  ÐTable€here?Ð #l! ÐÑ T Ñ‚ÌÓ"˜ÓÓ  Óò òð ðBUT€IT€WILL€PROMOTE€GROWTH€AND€UNION.ððó óÐ ô$D # ÐÓ4¤ÓÓ‰ÓÌà  àIt€has€been€suggested,€that€if€the€Baptists€were€to€become€ð ðopen€communionists,ðð€they€wouldÐ Ì&"% Ðgrow€more€rapidly€in€numbers.Ð ¸'#& Ðà  àIn€England,€where€this€practice€has€been€largely€adopted,€the€growth€of€the€BaptistÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdenomination€has€been€òòretarded,€óóin€proportion€to€the€growth€in€population,€almost€thirty-three€perÐ )à$( Ðcent;€while€in€the€United€States,€where€the€Baptists€invite€to€the€Lord's€Table€only€baptized€believersÐ |*Ì%) Ðin€good€standing,€the€growth€has€been€òòincreased€óófifty€per€cent€in€proportion€to€the€growth€in€theÐ h+¸&* Ðpopulation.Ð d Ðà  àThe€ð ðFree€Willðð€Baptists€of€the€United€States,€who€practiced€ð ðopen€communion,ðð€in€theÐ Pì Ðfourteen€years€from€1844€to€1858,€òòdecreased€óóin€number€322,€while€the€Regular€Baptists€òògainedÐ <Ø Ðóóduring€the€same€period€300,000€members.Ð ( Ä Ðà  àPresbyterians,€Episcopalians,€and€Methodists€are€òòð ðopen€óócommunion,ðð€òòso€far€óóas€to€permitÐ  ° Ðeach€other€to€sit€at€the€Lord's€Table€in€their€respective€churches;€but€whoever€heard€of€a€PresbyterianÐ  œ Ðadministering€the€Lord's€Supper€in€an€Episcopal€Church,€or€an€Episcopalian€presiding€at€the€Lord'sÐ ì ˆ ÐTable€in€a€Presbyterian€Church?Ð Ø t Ðà  àWhy€not?€Do€they€not€recognize€each€other€as€òòregenerated€óómen?€Certainly€they€do.€Do€theyÐ Ä ` Ðnot€regard€each€other€as€òòbaptized?€óóMost€certainly€they€do.€The€fact€is,€the€various€PedobaptistÐ °L  Ðdenominations,€as€òòdistinct€bodies,€óófind€it€a€moral€impossibility€to€sit€at€the€Lord's€Table€with€eachÐ œ8  Ðother,€until€they€can€settle€the€points€upon€which€they€predicate€their€several€existences€as€distinctÐ ˆ$  Ðbodies.Ð t  Ðà  àThe€fact€is,€that€ð ðopen€communionðð€is€a€òòtheory€óóbut€little€carried€into€practice.Ð `ü  Ðà  àWhy€then,€as€ð ðopen€communionðð€does€not€cause€Christian€union€among€Pedobaptists,€shouldÐ Lè  Ðthey€demand€it€of€the€Baptists,€and€charge€them€with€òòstanding€in€the€way€óóof€Christian€union?€Ð 8Ô  Ðà  àThe€Baptists€of€England€for€the€most€part€are€òòð ðopen€óócommunionists,ðð€and€yet€it€is€an€openÐ $À Ðsecret,€that€the€other€religious€bodies€of€England€are€no€more€closely€united€to€them,€than€are€theÐ ¬ ÐPedobaptists€of€the€United€States€to€their€ð ðclose€communionðð€Baptist€brethren.€Are€PresbyteriansÐ ü˜ Ðand€Methodists€more€affectionate€towards€each€other,€and€do€they€work€together€with€more€harmony,Ð è„ Ðthan€do€the€Presbyterians€and€Baptists?€If€so,€is€it€brought€about€by€ð ðopen€communionðð€among€them?Ð Ôp Ðà  àThat€ð ðclose€communionðð€is€not€in€harmony€with€the€spirit€of€liberalism,€rationalism,€andÐ À\ Ðskepticism€that€marks€the€age,€we€do€not€deny;€and€therefore,€as€Baptists,€we€feel€the€duty€ofÐ ¬H Ðguarding€with€sleepless€vigilance€those€institutions€and€principles€that€our€Lord€has€entrusted€to€ourÐ ˜4 Ðcare,€lest,€borne€away€by€the€strong€current€of€the€times,€the€Master,€when€he€comes,€shall€find€usÐ „  Ðsleeping.Ð p  Ðà  àIs€it€bigotry€to€obey€Christ?€Is€it€wicked€to€observe€the€ordinance€of€baptism€as€he€observedÐ \ø Ðit?€Is€it€uncharitableness€to€adhere€to€the€order€instituted€by€himself?Ð Hä Ðà  àWho€are€excluded€by€it?€Only€those€who€prefer€their€òòown€óóway€to€Christ's€way.€BaptistÐ 4 Ð Ðchurches€are€òòopen€to€all€Christians€óówho€are€willing€to€come€in,€òòin€Christ's€way€ð"ð€óóby€òòimmersion€inÐ  !¼ Ðwater,€upon€a€profession€of€their€faith€in€the€Lord€Jesus.Ð  "¨ Ðóóà0  àAnd€yet€they€say€òòwe€óóexclude€them.€They€are€mistaken;€òòthey€exclude€themselves.Ðø"”(#(# Ðóóà  àIf€we€show€them€the€law€of€Christ,€and€they€refuse€to€obey€it,€is€that€our€fault?€Must€we€giveÐ ä#€  Ðup€Christ's€way,€and€adopt€theirs,€in€order€to€win€them€back?€We€should€not€succeed€if€we€did.€WeÐ Ð$l! Ðlove€our€brethren€much,€but€we€love€òòChrist€óómore.€We€dread€their€harsh,€bitter,€unjust€words,€for€theyÐ ¼%X" Ðhurt;€but€we€dread€the€displeasure€of€our€King€more.Ð ¨&D # Ðà  àBaptists€are€not€unsocial,€or€intolerant.€They€will€exchange€pulpits,€mingle€in€the€social€andÐ ”'0!$ Ðprayer€circle,€work€together€for€the€advancement€of€God's€cause,€and€rejoice€in€the€prosperity€ofÐ €("% ÐPedobaptist€churches;€but€when€you€ask€them€to€sanction€practices€that€they€do€not€believe€to€beÐ l)#& Ðwarranted€by€Scripture,€every€true€Baptist€will€be€found€at€his€post.Ð X*ô#' Ðà  àThey€òòcoerce€óóno€man's€conscience,€but€they€òòdemand€óóliberty€for€their€Own.€ð ðAND€NOW,Ð D+à$( ÐWHY€TARRIEST€THOU?€ARISE,€AND€BE€BAPTIZED.ððÐ 0,Ì%) ЇÓ˜¤ÓØ! ¾!ØÓ  Óò òIX.€THE€CHURCH.ó óÐ d ÐÓs¹ÓÓ–ÓÌà  àThe€Greek€term,€ð ðekklesia,ðð€translated€ð ðchurchðð€more€than€a€hundred€times€in€the€NewÐ <Ø ÐTestament,€is€compounded€of€two€words,€meaning€ð ðto€call€out€of.ððÐ ( Ä Ðà  àThe€Baptists€hold€that€a€ð ðScriptural€churchðð€is€a€local€congregation€of€òòbaptized€believers,Ð  ° Ðóóindependent€of€the€State,€and€every€other€church,€having€in€itself€authority€to€do€whatever€a€churchÐ  œ Ðcan€of€right€do,€and€whose€members€are€voluntarily€associated€under€special€covenant€to€maintainÐ ì ˆ Ðthe€worship,€the€truths,€the€ordinances,€and€the€discipline€of€the€gospel.Ð Ø t Ðà  àChurches€are€òòvisible€óóorganizations,€the€visible€ceremonial€qualification€for€membership€beingÐ Ä ` Ðbaptism.€That€the€membership€of€the€apostolic€churches€was€composed€of€òòbaptized€believers,€óóis€clearÐ °L  Ðfrom€the€whole€tenor€of€the€Acts€of€the€Apostles,€and€of€the€Apostolic€Epistles.€On€this€point€thereÐ œ8  Ðis€no€controversy€between€Baptists€and€Pedobaptists.€The€difference€between€them€is€ð"ð€ð ðWhat€isÐ ˆ$  Ðbaptism?ðð€The€Baptists€hold€that€any€church,€whose€membership€have€not€been€baptized,€that€is,Ð t  Ðòòimmersed€in€water€after€a€profession€offÔ_Ô€faith,€óóthough€they€may€be€believers,€is€òònot€óóa€ScripturallyÐ `ü  Ðconstituted€òòNew€Testament€church.Ð Lè  Ðóóà  àA€church€is€a€ð ðlocalðð€congregation,€and€may€consist€of€many,€or€few€members.€We€read€ofÐ 8Ô  Ðð ðthe€church€at€Jerusalem,ðð€ð ðthe€church€of€Ephesus,ðð€and€Paul€refers€to€Aquila€and€Priscilla,€and€ð ðtheÐ $À Ðchurch€that€is€in€their€house.ðð€Ð ¬ Ðà  àThere€are€òòthree€óóprominent€forms€of€church€government,€indicated€by€the€terms,€Episcopacy,Ð ü˜ ÐPresbyterianism,€and€Independency.€Episcopacy€recognizes€the€official€superiority€of€a€ð ðdiocesanÐ è„ Ðbishopðð€over€the€ð ðinferior€clergy,ðð€as€well€as€ð ðthe€laity.ððÐ Ôp Ðà  àIn€apostolic€times,€ð ðbishopðð€and€ð ðpastorðð€were€terms€signifying€the€same€office,€the€overseerÐ À\ Ðof€a€single€church,€not€of€a€diocese€composed€of€a€number€of€churches.Ð ¬H Ðà  àPresbyterianism€recognizes€two€classes€of€òòelders€ð!ð€preaching€óóelders€and€òòruling€óóelders.€TheÐ ˜4 Ðpastor€and€the€ruling€elders€of€a€congregation€constitute€what€is€called€the€ð ðSession€of€the€Church.ððÐ „  ÐThe€ð ðSessionðð€transacts€the€business€of€the€church;€receives,€dismisses,€and€excludes€members.€TheÐ p  Ðindividual€members€of€the€congregation€have€no€voice.€From€the€decision€of€a€Session€there€is€anÐ \ø Ðappeal€to€the€Presbytery,€which€is€composed€of€preaching€and€ruling€elders€from€a€number€ofÐ Hä Ðchurches.€From€the€Presbytery€an€appeal€can€be€made€to€the€Synod,€and€from€the€Synod€to€theÐ 4 Ð ÐGeneral€Assembly,€whose€decisions€are€final.Ð  !¼ Ðà  àFrom€the€above,€it€is€seen€that€Episcopacy€and€Presbyterianism€imply€that€it€takes€severalÐ  "¨ Ðlocal€congregations€to€make€up€what€is€called€ð ðthe€church.ðð€We,€therefore,€often€hear€of€ð ðTheÐ ø"” ÐEpiscopal€Church€of€the€United€States,ðð€ð ðThe€Presbyterian€Church€of€the€United€States.ðð€Such€aÐ ä#€  Ðform€of€church€government€may€be€deemed€òòexpedient,€óóbut€it€is€not€òòScriptural.€óóWhen€Paul€hadÐ Ð$l! Ðoccasion€to€speak€of€more€than€one€church,€he€always€used€the€word€ð ðchurches,ðð€as,€ð ðthe€churchesÐ ¼%X" Ðof€Galatia,ðð€ð ðthe€churches€of€Asia.ðð€It€is€therefore€improper€to€speak€of€the€òòthirty€thousand€óóBaptistÐ ¨&D # Ðòòchurches€óóin€the€United€States€as€ð ðThe€Baptist€òòChurch€óóof€the€United€Statesðð;€we€should€say,€ð ðTheÐ ”'0!$ ÐBaptist€òòChurches€óóof€the€United€Statesðð;€for€they€are€all€independent€of€each€other,€theirÐ €("% Ðð ðAssociationsðð€of€churches€being€merely€for€mutual€sympathy€and€aid;€and€their€decisions€are€notÐ l)#& Ðbinding€on€any€church.òòÐ X*ô#' Ðà  àóóEvery€Baptist€church€is€an€independent€and€a€pure€ð ðdemocracy,ðð€and€is€perfectly€competentÐ D+à$( Ðto€do€whatever€a€church€can€of€right€do.€It€is€as€complete€as€if€it€were€the€only€church€in€the€world.Ð 0,Ì%) ÐA€church€self-organized,€òòwithout€óóa€council,€would€be€a€church;€but€it€would€have€no€right€to€callÐ d Ðitself€by€the€name€of€some€one€of€the€denominations€ð"ð€as€the€Baptist€ð"ð€without€their€consent,€forÐ Pì Ðthe€reason€that€it€might€hold€doctrinal€views€and€practices€which€would€bring€discredit€on€thatÐ <Ø Ðdenomination.Ð ( Ä Ðà  àAccording€to€the€Baptist€view,€the€governing€power€of€churches€rests€with€the€òòmembersÐ  ° Ðóó(including€pastor€and€deacons),€and€should€be€administered€in€accordance€with€New€TestamentÐ  œ Ðusage.€The€officers€of€the€church€can€do€nothing€without€the€consent€of€the€membership.€The€powerÐ ì ˆ Ðof€a€church€òòcannot€óóbe€delegated,€either€to€its€officers,€or€to€any€delegates€sent€to€any€Association€ofÐ Ø t Ðchurches,€in€any€way€that€will€impair€its€independency.€That€such€a€view€is€òòScriptural,€óócan€be€easilyÐ Ä ` Ðshown€from€the€conduct€of€the€New€Testament€churches,€that,€as€individual€churches,€received,Ð °L  Ðexcluded,€and€restored€members,€appointed€their€own€officers,€and€whose€decision€in€all€cases€wasÐ œ8  Ðfinal.€Hence€it€follows,€that€if€a€Baptist€church€were€to€call€a€council€of€sister€churches€to€considerÐ ˆ$  Ðthe€advisability€of€ordaining€a€certain€person€to€be€their€pastor,€and€that€council€should€deem€itÐ t  Ðunadvisable,€the€church€calling€the€council€would€not€be€bound€by€the€council's€action,€and€òòcouldÐ `ü  Ðóóordain€or€not,€as€it€might€choose.€The€independency€of€the€church€would€thus€not€be€impaired€by€theÐ Lè  Ðaction€of€the€council;€but€at€the€same€time,€courtesy,€and€the€standing€of€both€church€and€pastor,Ð 8Ô  Ðmake€it€advisable€to€submit€to€the€action€of€the€council.Ð $À Ðà  àThe€advantages€of€such€a€form€of€church€government€are€many.€It€gives€every€member€in€theÐ ¬ Ðchurch€a€òòvoice€in€its€management;€óóthe€rich€and€influential€cannot€lord€it€over€the€poor.€Then€eachÐ ü˜ Ðchurch€knows€which€of€its€members€are€best€fitted,€both€spiritually€and€in€a€business€sense,€toÐ è„ Ðconduct€successfully€its€affairs€as€church€officers.€And€who€are€more€competent€to€òòchoose€a€pastorÐ Ôp Ðóóthan€those€over€whom€he€is€to€preside?€How€often€we€see€or€hear€of€churches€crippled,€and€theirÐ À\ Ðusefulness€impaired,€by€pastors€who€have€been€placed€over€them,€not€of€their€choice?Ð ¬H Ðà  àAgain,€it€prevents€the€circulation€of€doctrinal€errors.€ð ðA€little€leaven€leaveneth€the€wholeÐ ˜4 Ðlump.ðð€But€among€independent€Baptist€churches,€it€has€no€opportunity€to€spread;€for€a€local€church,Ð „  Ðunder€a€sense€of€its€responsibility,€is€quick€to€detect,€and€as€quick€to€stamp€out€a€heresy.€It€would€notÐ p  Ðhave€to€be€carried€from€Presbytery,€to€Synod,€to€General€Assembly,€as€in€the€Presbyterian€Church,Ð \ø Ðuntil€the€whole€denomination€was€divided€on€it.€It€was€in€great€part€by€a€single€case€of€discipline€thatÐ Hä Ðthe€Presbyterian€denomination€in€this€country€was€divided€into€the€Old€and€New€Schools;€and€a€pettyÐ 4 Ð Ðdispute€in€a€small€parish€has€been€known€to€embroil€the€whole€English€hierarchy.Ð  !¼ Ðà  àThe€wonderful€uniformity€among€Baptist€ministers€as€to€matters€of€doctrine,€in€spite€of€theÐ  "¨ Ðindependence€of€the€churches,€has€been,€and€is,€a€matter€of€surprise,€and€can€only€be€accounted€forÐ ø"” Ðby€the€fact,€that€they€derive€their€doctrinal€views€directly€from€the€New€Testament€Scriptures.Ð ä#€  Ðà  àMore€satisfactory€corrective€discipline€can€also€be€obtained€by€the€ð ðindependentðð€method€ofÐ Ð$l! Ðchurch€government.€A€member€is€quietly€approached€according€to€the€rule€mentioned€by€ChristÐ ¼%X" Ð(Matt.€18:€15,€17);€every€opportunity€is€given€here€to€explain€and€confess;€and€if,€after€a€full€hearing,Ð ¨&D # Ðit€is€deemed€best€for€the€glory€of€God€and€the€good€of€the€church€to€exclude€him,€he€is€excluded;€andÐ ”'0!$ Ðthe€world€at€large€knows€nothing€of€it,€and€the€denomination€is€not€scandalized,€or€rent€by€hisÐ €("% Ðmisconduct.Ð l)#& ÐÌÌÐ 0,Ì%) ÐÓ¹¹ÓÓ  Óò òCHURCH€WORSHIP.ó óÐ d ÐÓ‰ÝÓÓ«ÓÌà  àThis€is€for€the€congregation,€and€must€have€an€order,€manner,€time,€place,€and€some€form€orÐ <Ø Ðother.€It€would€not€be€orderly€for€individual€members€of€a€congregation€to€rise,€stand,€sit,€sing,€read,Ð ( Ä Ðor€pray,€as€they€felt€inclined.€But€there€is€a€point€where€natural€and€spontaneous€worship€gives€placeÐ  ° Ðto€certain€general€rules,€carefully€sought€out€and€selected,€so€that€all€things€may€be€done€ð ðdecentlyÐ  œ Ðand€in€order.ðð€The€gospel€prescribes€no€invariable€form.€There€is€no€sign€of€any€fixed€ceremonial,Ð ì ˆ Ðdress,€written€or€repeated€prayer,€or€established€mode€of€worship€in€the€New€Testament.€If€the€earlyÐ Ø t Ðchurches€had€any,€they€have€not€found€place€in€the€New€Testament,€for€the€wise€reason€lest€we,Ð Ä ` Ðseeing€them€there,€might€be€tempted€to€consider€them€as€of€divine€appointment.Ð °L  Ðà  àThe€liturgies€of€the€churches€are€an€outcome€of€the€Dark€Ages,€when€so€many€of€the€clergyÐ œ8  Ðwere€unfit€to€perform€religious€worship€without€a€book.€The€ð ðEnglish€Liturgyðð€is€an€expurgatedÐ ˆ$  Ðedition€of€the€Romish€missals€and€breviaries,€accommodated€to€the€controversies€and€half-reformedÐ t  Ðprejudices€of€the€times€of€Henry€VIII.€The€tendency€of€ritualistic€worship€is€to€make€the€òòform€óóitselfÐ `ü  Ðworship,€and€not€the€òòthing€óósignified€by€the€form;€where€this€takes€place,€the€religious€character€ofÐ Lè  Ðthe€people€becomes€superficial€and€shallow,€and€they€think€more€of€observing€a€set€ceremonial,€thanÐ 8Ô  Ðthey€do€of€purity€and€holiness€of€life.Ð $À ÐÌÓÏÝÓØ! !ØÓ  Óò òX.€BAPTISM€IN€THE€NEW€TESTAMENT.ó óÐ ü˜ ÐÓèäÓÓÐÓÌ1.€òòà0  àð!ð€Passages€relating€to€the€mission,€preaching€and€baptizing€of€John€the€Baptist.ÐÔp(#(# ÐÌà0  àóóMISSION.€ð!ð€€Matthew€3:3,€Mark€1:1„2,€Luke€1:16„17,€John€1:6„7.ЬH(#(# Ðà0  àPREACHING.€ð!ð€€Matthew€3:1,€Luke€3:3,€John€1:19-33,€Acts€19:€4.И4(#(# Ðà0  àBAPTIZING.€ð!ð€€Matthew€3:5-12;€Mark€1:4„5;€John€3:23,€26;€Luke€3:16.Є (#(# ÐÌØ! !Ø2.à0  àð!ð€òòThe€baptism€of€Jesus€from€the€Four€Gospels.Ð\ø(#(# Ðóóà0  àMatthew€3:13-16;€Mark€1:€9,€10;€Luke€3:€21-23;€John€1:28-36.ÐHä(#(# ÐÌ€3.à0  àð!ð€òòChrist€baptizing,€by€his€disciples.Ð !¼(#(# Ðóóà0  àJohn€3:22;€John€4:1-3;€John€10:40-42.Ð "¨(#(# ÐÌ€4.à0  àð!ð€òòWhat€Jesus€thought€of€John€and€his€baptism.Ðä#€ (#(# Ðóóà0  àMatthew€11:11;€Mark€11:29-33;€Luke€7:26-30;€Luke€20:3-6;€John€5:35.òòÐÐ$l!(#(# ÐÌóó5.òòà0  àð!ð€Christ€speaks€of€his€sufferings€under€the€figure€of€ð ða€baptism.ððШ&D #(#(# Ðóóà0  àMatthew€20:22„23;€Luke€12:50;€Mark€10:38„39.Д'0!$(#(# ÐÌ6.à0  àð!ð€Christ's€òòcommission€to€his€disciples.Ðl)#&(#(# Ðóóà0  àMatthew€28:16-20;€Mark€16:15„16.ÐX*ô#'(#(# ÐÌ7.€à0  àð!ð€Baptism€òòin€the€Acts€of€the€Apostles.óóÐ0,Ì%)(#(# Їà0  àAt€Pentecost.€Acts€2:37-47.Ðd(#(# Ðà0  àPhilip€at€Samaria.€Acts€8:5-13.ÐPì(#(# Ðà0  àThe€Ethiopian€Eunuch.€Acts€8:35-39.Ð<Ø(#(# Ðà0  àBaptism€of€Paul.€Acts€9:18;€Acts€22:16.€Ð( Ä(#(# Ðà0  àBaptism€of€Cornelius.€Acts€10:€44-48.€Ð °(#(# Ðà0  àBaptism€of€Lydia.€Acts€16:13-15.Ð œ(#(# Ðà0  àBaptism€of€the€Jailer.€Acts€16:€29-34.Ðì ˆ(#(# Ðà0  àPaul€baptizing€at€Corinth.€Acts€18:€4-8.ÐØ t(#(# Ðà0  àCertain€disciples€at€Ephesus.€Acts€19:1-7.ÐÄ `(#(# ÐÌØ! !Ø8.à0  àð!ð€Baptism€òòin€the€Epistles.Ðœ8 (#(# ÐÌà0  àóóIts€spiritual€design.€Romans€6:3-5;€Colossians€2:12.Ðt (#(# Ðà0  àÐ (#(# Ðà0  àOther€references.€Ephesians€4:5;€1€Corinthians€12:13;€Galatians€3:27;€1€Corinthians€15:29;Ð Lè  Ð1€Corinthians€1:13-17.Ð8Ô (#(# Ðà0  àÐ (#(# Ðà0  àIllustrated€by€Old€Testament€events€in€a€figurative€way.€1€Corinthians€10:1„2;€1€Peter€3:20„21Ь(#(# ÐÌà  àThe€above€references€are€all€to€òòwater€óóbaptism;€the€following€refer€to€the€baptism€of€the€òòHolyÐ è„ ÐSpirit.Ð Ôp ÐÌà8  àóóMatthew€3:11;€Luke€3:16;€John€1:33.€Acts€1:5;€Acts€11:16.ЬHÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àBut€that€the€baptism€of€the€Holy€Spirit€is€not€what€is€known€as€Christian€baptism,€and€theÐ „  Ðbaptism€which€the€disciples€were€commanded€to€perform€in€the€Great€Commission,€is€evident,€fromÐ p  Ðthe€fact€that€the€disciples€had€no€power€to€baptize€òòwith€óóthe€Holy€Spirit,€and€that€they€baptized€withÐ \ø Ðòòwater€óóAFTER€believers€had€received€the€baptism€of€the€Holy€Spirit.Ð Hä ÐÌÓ?åÓÓ  Óò òTHE€END.ó óÔ#† Xë¥XXXë¥ð#ÔÔ‡Xë¥XX Xë¥ÔÐ  !¼ ÐÔ#† Xë¥XXX륯ó#ÔÓróÓ