Rev. Joel Ellis is the pastor of Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Mesa, AZ. For more information on Rev. Joel Ellis’ church, please visit www.reformationopcaz.org.
Note from Arturo Hurtado of Saints Edified: I have found this series on baptism to be incredibly valuable in summarizing the Reformed & Presbyterian position of baptism. This is especially true when explaining some of these distinctives to my non-Reformed, baptistic brothers and sisters. Rev. Joel Ellis dedicated time to thoroughly preach and teach through each chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) to his congregation during a hard time of transition. The approach our brother decided to take is one of a loving pastor and friend of the congregation. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the “The Westminster Standards” series by Rev. Joel Ellis has become one of my all-time favorite series to go through for personal studies or with family and friends in small group. The entire series is accessible for everyone to listen to on the church’s Sermon Audio page here. I hope you enjoy!
Of Baptism (WCF 28.1) – Part One
Of Baptism (WCF 28.2-3) – Part Two
Of Baptism (WCF 28.2-3) – Part Three
Of Baptism (WCF 28.4) – Part Four
Of Baptism (WCF 28.4) – Part Five
Of Baptism (WCF 28.5-7) – Part Six
1. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life: which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in his Church until the end of the world.
2. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the gospel lawfully called thereunto.
3. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person.
4. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptized.
5. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it, or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.
6. The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God’s own will, in his appointed time.
7. The sacrament of baptism is but once to be administered to any person.
Westminster Confession of Faith – Chapter 28
