MarkXVI, 15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.
LukeX, 1. After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
2. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.
IsaiahLXII, 2. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.
Mal.II, 7. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
ActsXX, 24. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.
Rom.XII, 6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the portion of faith;
7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
2 Cor.V, 18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
1 Tim.I, 12. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.
Col.IV, 17. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
TitusI, 3. But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior.
Jer.III, 15. And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
ActsXXVI, 16. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister anda witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee:
17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Rom.X, 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Ezek.III, 17. Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the Word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
2 Cor.I, 21. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God.
2 Cor.V, 20. Now then we are embassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Eph.IV, 11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Matt.X, 16. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues.
ActsXX, 28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
1 Cor.IV, 1. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1 Cor.IX, 16. For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel!
Gal.I, 10. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
2 Tim.II, 15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim.IV, 1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2. Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Neh.VI, 6. Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
7. And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
IsaiahLXI, 1. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3. To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
MarkI, 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
LukeIV, 18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
ActsX, 42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
Rom.X, 8. But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
ActsV, 42. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
2 Cor.IV, 5. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2 Tim.IV, 15. Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
LukeIX, 60. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
ActsXVII, 3. Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
4. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
ActsIII, 8. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
Col.I, 25. Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God;
26. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29. Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
LukeXXIV, 47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
ActsXIII, 38. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39. And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
1 Cor.XV, 1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Gal.I, 16. To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.
Eph.II, 17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Heb.IV, 2. For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Heb.IV, 6. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief.
Col.I, 23. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.
ActsX, 36. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all.)
ActsX, 25. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.
26. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
ActsXVII, 18. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
2 Cor.IV, 1. Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but, by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2 Cor.V, 20. Now then we are embassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
1 Thess.II, 3. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
5. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness.
2 Tim.II, 15. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim.IV, 1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2. Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
1 PeterIV, 11. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ: to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Matt.XVIII, 19. And when he saw a fig-tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig-tree withered away.
20. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig-tree withered away!
Ezek.III, 9. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
10. Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.
Ezek.II, 7. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
Neh.VIII, 8. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
Jer.XXIII, 28. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.
1 Cor.I, 21. For after that inthe wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Deut.XXXIII, 10. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt-sacrifice upon thine altar.
Eccl.XII, 9. And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
Num.XVIII, 21. And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Deut.XII, 19. Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
Mal.III, 9. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10. Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Matt.X, 9. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses;
10. Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
Matt.X, 40. He that receiveth you receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
LukeX, 16. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
1 Cor.IX, 11. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12. If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ.
13. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel?
15. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
Gal.VI, 6. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
1 Thess.V, 12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1 Tim.V, 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
18. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.
Philemon, 1. Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-laborer.
1 Tim.III, 8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre.
1 Tim.III, 10. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
1 Tim.III, 12. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Tim.V, 1. Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren.
1 Tim.V, 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
18. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.
19. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
1 Pet.V, 1. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.
2 John, 1. The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth.
3 John, 1. The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
1 Tim.III, 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Eph.IV, 11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
TitusI, 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8. But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9. Holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sounddoctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Phil.I, 1. Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
1 Tim.III, 1. This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 Thess.II, 10. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.
1 Tim.IV, 12. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
2 Tim.II, 3. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
2 Tim.IV, 5. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
TitusII, 7. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8. Sound speech, that can not be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
BAPTISM.
Christianbaptism is a sacrament instituted by Christ himself. The authority and obligation of baptism, as a universal ordinance of the Christian Church, is derived from the commission of Christ, "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
That baptism is obligatory is evident from the example of Christ, who, by his disciples, baptizedmany that by his miracles and discourses were brought to profess faith in him as the Messiah, from his command to his apostles after the resurrection, and from the practice of the apostles themselves. That it was administered to all Gentile converts, and not confined to the Jews, appears from Matthew xxviii, 19, 20: "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world;" and from Acts x, 47: "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we;" and that the baptism of the Spirit did not supersede water baptism appears clearly to have been the judgment of Peter and of those that were with him.
As to the design and benefits of baptismvarious views are held by different bodies of professing Christians. The following are the principal ones:
1.That it is a direct instrument of grace.This is the view of the Roman and Eastern Churches, and of what is known as the High Church Party in the Protestant Episcopal and Lutheran Churches, and also of the Reformers or Campbellites, who regard baptism as the remitting ordinance of the Gospel, or the appointed means through which the penitent sinner obtains the assurance of that remission of sins purchased by the death of Christ.
2. That held by the Socinians; which is, "That baptism is neither an instrument nor seal of grace, but simply a ceremony of initiation into Church membership."
3.That it is a token of regeneration, to be received only by those who are really regenerated. This is the view held by the Baptists.
4.That it is a symbol of purification, the use of which simply announces that the religion of Christ is a purifying religion. This opinion is held generally by Congregationalists.
5.That it is a rite of initiation into the visible Church, and that, though not an instrument, it is a seal of grace.This is the view taken by a majority of the confessions of the Reformed Churches.
The Westminster Confession holds that "baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up to God through Jesus Christ to walk in newness of life; which sacrament is by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in the Church to the end of the world."
In the seventeenth article of the Methodist Episcopal Church, it is declared that "baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christian men are distinguished from others that are not baptized, but it is also a sign of regeneration, or the new birth. The baptism of children is to be retained in the Church." The same language is substantially used in the Articles of Religion of the Church of England, and with some addition by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.
Richard Watson, in his Institutes, Vol. II, page 646, says: "Baptism introduces the adult believer into the covenant of grace and Church of Christ, and is the seal and pledge to him, on the part of God, of the fulfillment of all its provisions in time and in eternity; while on his part he takes on him the obligation ofsteadfast faith and obedience. To the infant child it is a visible reception into the same covenant and Church, a pledge of acceptance through Christ, the bestowment of a title to all the graces of the covenant as circumstances may require, and as the mind of the child may be capable or made capable of receiving it, and as it may be sought in future life by prayer, when the period of reason and moral choice shall arrive. It conveys also the present blessing of Christ; of which we are assured by his taking children in his arms and blessing them, which blessing can not be merely nominal, but must be substantial and efficacious. It secures, too, the gift of the Holy Ghost in those secret spiritual influences by which the actual regeneration of those children who die in infancy is effected, and which are a seed of life in those who are spared, to prepare them for instruction in the Word of God, as they are taught it by parental care to incline their will and affections to good, and to begin and maintain in them the war against inward and outward evil, so that they may be Divinely assisted, as reason strengthens, to make their calling and election sure. In a word, it is both as to infants and adults, the sign and pledge of that inward grace which, though modified in its operations by the difference of their circumstances, has respect to, and flows from, a covenant relation to each of the three persons in whose one name they are baptized—acceptance by the Father, union with Christ as the head of his mystical body, the Church, and the communion of the Holy Ghost. To these advantages must be added the respect which God bears to the believing act of the parents, and to their solemn prayers on the occasion, in both of which the child is interested, as well as in that solemn engagement of the parents, which the rite necessarily implies, tobring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
Dr. Schaff remarks: "The ultimate authority for infant baptism in the bosom of a regular Christian community, and under a sufficient guarantee of pious education—for only on these terms do we advocate it—lies in the universal import of Christ's person and work, which extends as far as humanity itself. Christ is not only able, but willing, to save mankind of all classes, in all circumstances, of both sexes, and at all stages of life, and, consequently, to provide for all these the necessary means of grace. [Com. Gal. iii, 28.] A Christ able and willing to save none but adults would be no such Christ as the Gospel presents. In the significant parallel, Rom. v, 12, sq., the apostle earnestly presses the point that the reign of righteousness and life is, in its Divine intent and intrinsic efficacy, fully as comprehensive as the reign of sin and death, to which children, among the rest, are subject; nay, far more comprehensive and availing; and that the blessing and gain by the second Adam far outweighs the curse and the loss by the first. When the Lord, after solemnly declaring that all power is given to him in heaven and earth, commands his apostles to make all nations disciples by baptism and instruction, there is not the least reason for limiting this to those of maturer age. Or, do nations consist only of men, and not of youth also, and of children? According to Psalm cxvii, 1, 'all nations,' and according to Psalm cl, 6, 'every thing that hath breath should praise the Lord;' and that these include babes and sucklings is explicitly told us in Psalm viii, 2, and Matt. xxi, 16. With this is closely connected the beautiful idea, already clearly brought out by Irenæus, the disciple of Polycarp, and the faithful medium of the apostolictradition descending from John's field of labor—the idea that Jesus Christ became a child for children, for youth a youth, for men a man; and by thus entering into the various conditions and stages of our earthly existence, sanctified every period of life, infancy as well as manhood. The Baptist view robs the Savior's infancy of its profound and cheering significance."
ActsII, 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
MarkI, 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Matt.XXVIII, 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
JohnIII, 22. After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
ActsVIII, 12. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
ActsVIII, 36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
ActsIX, 17. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
ActsXVI, 14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
16. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit ofdivination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.
ActsXXII, 16. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
ActsXIX, 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
ActsII, 41. Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Gal.III, 27. For as many of you as have been baptized unto Christ have put on Christ.
1 Pet.III, 20. Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Rom.VI, 3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Col.II, 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
ActsII, 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41. Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45. And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47. Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.
ActsVIII, 36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
1 Cor.X, 1. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should beignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
ActsX, 46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
ActsXVI, 14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
ActsXVI, 29. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32. And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
ActsXVIII, 8. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
ActsXIX, 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
ActsXXII, 16. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
JohnIII, 23. And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
MarkI, 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Matt.III, 5. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6. And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.
Matt.III, 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
ActsXVI, 14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15. And when she was baptized,and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
ActsXVI, 33. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
1 Cor.I, 16. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1 Cor.VII, 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
ActsI, 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
ActsII, 18. And on my servants, and on my handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
ActsII, 33. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
ActsII, 15. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
1 Cor.X, 1. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
1 Cor.XII, 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
TitusIII, 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Ezek.XXXVI, 25. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
IsaiahXLIV, 3. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.
IsaiahLII, 15. So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
MarkVII, 2. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen hands, they found fault.
3. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.
Heb.IX, 10. Which stood onlyin meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Heb.IX, 13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb.X, 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb.XII, 24. And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
1 PeterI, 1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Anordinance instituted by our Savior in the place of the Passover, and immediately after celebrating that rite with his disciples for the last time. The Passover was an eminent type of our Lord's sacrifice and of its benefits, and since he was about to fulfill that symbolical rite, which from age to age had continued to exhibit it to the faith and hope of ancient saints, it could have no place under the new dispensation. Christ, in person, became the true Passover, and a new rite was necessary to commemorate the spiritual deliverance of men, and to convey and confirm its benefits. The circumstances of its institution are explanatory of its nature and design.
On the night when the first-born of Egypt were slain the children of Israel were commanded to take a lamb for every house, to kill it, and to sprinkle theblood upon the posts of the doors, so that the destroying angel mightpass overthe houses of all who had attended to this injunction. Not only were the first-born children thus preserved alive, but the effect was the deliverance of the whole nation from bondage in Egypt, and their becoming the visible Church and people of God by virtue of a special covenant.
In commemoration of these events the feast of the Passover was made annual, and at that time all the males of Judea assembled before the Lord in Jerusalem; a lamb was provided for every house, the blood was poured under the altar by the priests, and the lamb was eaten by the people in their tents or houses. At this domestic and religious feast every master of a family took the cup of thanksgiving, and gave thanks with his family to the God of Israel.
As soon, therefore, as our Lord, acting as the master of the family—the disciples—had finished this, the usual Paschal ceremony, he proceeded to a new and distinct action. "He took bread, [the bread then on the table,] and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, [the cup with the wine which had been used in the Paschal Supper,] saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you." Or, as St. Matthew expresses it, "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." "This is my body"—that is, bread represents my body, according to the style of the sacred writers—thus, Genesis xi, 12, "The three branches are three days;" Galatians iv, 24, St. Paul, speaking ofSarah and Hagar, says, "These are the two covenants;" thus, in the grand type of our Lord, Exodus xii, 11, God says of the Paschal lamb, "It is the Lord's passover." Thus our Lord, in substituting the holy communion for the Passover, uses the same expressions the Jews were accustomed to use in celebrating the Passover.
Mr. Watson—Institutes, Part IV, volume ii, page 661—says:
"That this was the institution of a standing rite, and not a temporary action to be confined to the disciples then present with him, is made certain from 1 Corinthians xi, 23-26: 'For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.' From these words we learn, 1. That St. Paul had a special revelation as to this ordinance, which must have had a higher object than the mere commemoration of an historical fact, and must be supposed to have been made for the purpose of enjoining it upon him to establish this rite in the Churches raised up by him, and of enabling him rightly to understand its authority and purport, where he found it already appointed by the first founders of the Churches. 2. That the command of Christ, 'This do in remembrance of me,' which was originally given to the disciples presentwith Christ at the last Passover, is laid by St. Paul upon the Corinthians. 3. That he regarded the Lord's Supper as a rite to be 'often' celebrated, and that in all future time, until the Lord himself should 'come' to judge the world. The perpetual obligation of this ordinance can not, therefore, be reasonably disputed."
The bread and wine used in the sacrament are signs of the body and blood of Christ, which are not locally present, and these signs, being a memorial of the sacrifice once offered on the cross, are intended to produce a moral effect; and, to all who by faith remember Christ in the use of these symbols, is he spiritually present. "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?"
The blessing pronounced does not change the elements used, but to all who join with becoming affection in the thanksgiving then uttered in the name of the congregation Christ is spiritually present, and to those who worthily partake, his body and blood, being spiritually present, convey the same nourishment to their souls, the same quickening to their spiritual life, as bread and wine do to the natural life. It is very clear that theLord's Supperis acovenantrite, and consequently a sacrament—"a visible sign and seal on the part of Him who made the covenant, that it was established in and ratified by the sacrificial death of Christ."
Matt.XXVI, 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
29. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day whenI drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
30. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
MarkXIV, 22. And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
23. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
24. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
25. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
LukeXXII, 14. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16. For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1 Cor.XI, 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread:
24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
1 Cor.XI, 24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
Matt.XXVI, 27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.
MarkVIII, 38. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
LukeXXII, 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
MarkXIV, 23. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
Matt.X, 32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Matt.V, 14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill can not be hid.
15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
IsaiahXLIV, 5. One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
Deut.XXVI, 17. Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
18. And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments.
1 Cor.X, 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17. For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
LukeXXII, 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Matt.XXVI, 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
29. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.