Baptism - Its Mode And Subjects

PREFACE. THK lectures given to the public in this volume were delivered, for the most part, on successive Sabbath evenings, in the Church of which I am minister. They were listened to by large congre gations, and reports of them that appeared in the local Press excited a good deal of interest. Many requests came to me from my brethren in the ministry and others, asking me to put the lectures in a more permanent form. These requests were not merely numerous but so representative that I with them. thought it my duty to comply The lectures have been published practically as they were delivered. A few local allusions that were not of general interest have been omitted. The lecture form has been retained. The lectures are now sent forth in the hope that they may be of some service to the cause of truth. LoNDONDKKRY, lWlV, 1899. W. J. LOWE. CONTENTS. LECTURE I. THE MODE OF BAPTISM INTRODUCTORY. Division of the Subject Position defined Baiampgttizamplt Classi cal Usage New Testament Usage Jewish Baptisms . LECTURE II. THE MODE OF BAPTISM continued. John s Baptism Baptism with Water and Baptism with the Holy Spirit Baptism in the Jordan Circum PAGE 1 stances of John s Baptism . . . . . . 11 LECTURE III. THE MODE OF BAPTISM continued. Baptism of the Three Thousand Baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch Baptism of Paul Baptism of Cornelius and others Baptism of Lydia and her Household Baptism of the Philippiau Jailer and his Household... 27 LECTURE IV. THE MODE OF BAPTISM continued. Baptism into Christ Baptism unto Moses Antitype Bap tism Immersionism inconsistent with the Spirit of the Gospel Dispensation Immersionism often Impractic able The Testimony of Antiquity The Westminster Assembly vll 43 viiiCONTENTS. LECTURE V. THE MODE OF BAPTISM concluded. THE SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM INTRODUCTORY. PAGE Baptist Quotation Anabaptists and Immersion Subjects of Baptism The Position defined Baptist Individu alism Mode of Determining the Question The Principle of Representation ..... 61 LECTURE VI. THE SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM continued. The Abrahamic Covenant The Administration of the Covenant Children in the Covenant and in the Church The Apostolic Commission Children may be Disciples LECTURE VII. THE SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM continued. The Preaching Commission Christ and the Children The Continuity of the Church 97 LECTURE VIII. THE SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM continued. Baptism and Circumcision A False Analogy Children continue in the Church Baptism and a Profession of Faith Household Baptisms No distinctively Baptist Baptism in the New Testament . . . 113 LECTURE IX. THE SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM continued. Holy Children Apostolic recognition of the Church stand ing of Children Infant Dedication The Testimony of the Early Fathers 131 78 CONTENTS. ix LECTURE X. THK SrujKcrs OF BAPTISM concluded. PAGE Advantages of Infant Baptism Infant Communion Baptism a Public Ordinance 150 LECTURE XI. REVIEW. The Mode of Baptism quotFollow the Lord into the Riverquot The Westminster Assembly Baptists and Immer sion Infant Baptism Baptist Methods The term quot Baptistquot Conclusion 163 APPENDIX. NOTK A. BAPTIZO IN THE CLASSICS 187 NOTK B. BAPTIZO IK THK SKPTVAGINT AND APOCRYPHA . 188 BAPTISM, ITS MODE AND SUBJECTS. LECTURE I. THE MODE OF BAPTISM INTRODUCTORY. THE subject of Baptism is one in regard to which there is some difference of opinion, and therefore it is a subject in regard to which we should have all the information thatcan be gathered from a careful study of the Word of God, so that our opinion may be not simply a matter of tradition but a matter of conviction...