HenryWSC 94

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 94

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Is washing with water the outward sign in baptism? Yes: I am come baptizing with water,
John 1:31
. Is that well done by sprinkling? Yes: For so shall he sprinkle many nations,
Isa. 52:15
,
Ezek. 30:25
. Is that sign significant? Yes: If ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified,
1 Cor. 6:11
. But is the outward sign alone sufficient? No: Baptism saves us, not as it is the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God,
1 Pet. 3:21
.
Must baptism be in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Yes; Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Sun, and of the Holy Ghost,
Matt. 28:19
. And not in the minister’s name? No: Were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Cor. 1:13
. Is it therefore one? Yes: for there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph. 4:5
. There were added to the church daily,
Acts 2:47
. Are we thereby entered into Christ’s school? Yes: Jesus made and baptized disciples,
John 4:1
. And listed under his banner? Yes: as good soldiers of Jesus Christ,
2 Tim. 2:3
.
Is baptism a door of admission into the visible church? Yes: There were added to the church daily,
Acts 2:47
. Are we thereby entered into Christ’s school? yes: Jesus made and baptized disciples,
John 4:1
. And listed under his banner? Yes: as good soldiers of Jesus Christ,
2 Tim. 2:3
.
Is baptism a seal of our ingrafting into Christ? Yes: for being baptized into Jesus Christ, we are baptized into his death,
Rom. 6:3
. And of our partaking of the new covenant? Yes: Be baptized for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,
Acts 2:38
. And of our engagement to be the Lord’s? Yes: I entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine,
Ezek. 16:8
. Is the covenant sealed in the baptism a mutual covenant? Yes: Ye shall be my people, and I will be your God, Jer. 30:32.
Are we bound by our baptism to renounce the devil and all his works? Yes: for the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil
1 John 3:8
. And to renounce the pomps and vanities of this wicked world? Yes: for we must not be conformed to this world,
Rom. 12:2
. And all the sinful lusts of the flesh? Yes: for we are not in the flesh, but in the spirit,
Rom. 8:9
. Are we bound to believe all the articles of the Christian faith? Yes: we must hold fast the form of sound words,
2 Tim. 1:13
. And to keep God’s holy will and commandments? Yes: that we also should walk in newness of life,
Rom. 6:4
. And to walk in the same all the days of our life? Yes: If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed,
John 8:31
.
HenryWSC 94