Westminster Larger Catechism (Q 166-167)

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, in our weekly Sunday school lessons in the Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC), we studied and discussed questions 166-167. Here is a brief review.

WLC 166  Unto whom is baptism to be administered?
A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, and so strangers from the covenant of promise, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him, but infants descended from parents, either both or but one of them professing faith in Christ, and obedience to him, are, in that respect, within the covenant, and to be baptized.

Having defined baptism and learned of its significance as a sign and seal of the God’s promises in the covenant of grace (WLC 165), we now turn to whom baptism ought to be administered. First, baptism is not to be administered to those outside the visible church. Second, there are two categories of persons to whom baptism ought to be administered: (1) those who profess their faith in Christ (Acts 8:36-37), and (2) the infants of either both or one parent who profess faith in Christ.

The understanding of infant baptism is based on the continuity between the old and new covenants, particularly with respect to the connection between circumcision and baptism. In class we discussed several different Scriptures which point to this continuity (Genesis 17:7-9; Galatians 3:9, 14; Acts 2:38-39; Colossians 2:9-12; and 1 Corinthians 7:14). We also discuss several passages of Scripture in which we have a record of “household baptisms” (e.g., Acts 16:15, 33, 34; 1 Corinthians 1:16) where individuals believed and thus, they along with their households (family and servants) were baptized. While it is not specifically stated that these households included infant children, it does point us to the fact that God’s covenant promises were intended to work in and through families, not just individuals. This is in keeping with the practice of household circumcisions of the Old Testament, and even the initial institution of circumcision in which all the males of Abraham’s household were circumcised (Genesis 17:23-27), including 318 trained men of Abraham’s household (Genesis 14:14).

Of course, there is much more that could be said regarding the doctrine of paedobaptism. For a little more thorough, but still relatively brief introduction to the Biblical basis for why we baptize our infant covenant children, here are two resources that I recommend:

(1) An essay by Dr. Dennis E. Johnson called Infant Baptism: How My Mind Has Changed. This essay was written by Dr. Johnson by way of explanation to one of his daughters as to how and why he came to embrace the doctrine of paedobaptism. As such, it is relatively brief and simple, but also pretty thorough. He concludes that essay with some fatherly encouragement to his daughter: “Study the Scriptures. Pray. Think. Ask.”

(2) A 41-minute video lesson by Dr. Richard Pratt called Why Do We Baptize Our Children? In the video, Dr. Pratt explores what the Bible teaches with regard to three main topics: the people of the covenant, the covenant sign of baptism, and the significance of baptism.

WLC 167  How is our baptism to be improved by us?
A. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others; by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein; by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace; and by endeavouring to live by faith, to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ; and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.

This catechism question may seem a bit odd at first because it sounds like it is asking how individual believers may improve upon the grace of God. But that’s not what this question is about. When we ask, “How is our baptism to be improved by us?” it is with reference to how we may fulfill our covenant promises and how we may grow in the holiness and sanctification to which Christ calls us in our baptism (Romans 6:4-11). And there are three times at which we ought to seek to improve our baptism (or our baptismal calling): all our life long, especially during times of temptation, and when present at its administration.

There are several ways in which we ought to improve our baptism:

(1) By remembering and meditating on the meaning of baptism (Romans 6:3-5)
(2) By coming under conviction of our falling short and sinfulness (1 Corinthians 1:11-13; Romans 6:2-3)
(3) By gaining assurance (1 Peter 3:21)
(4) By gaining strength in the pursuit of sanctification (Romans 6:3-5)
(5) By gaining perseverance by remembering that we belong to Christ (Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:22; Acts 2:38)
(6) By growing in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Corinthians 12:24b-27)

Conclusion

In addition to discussing to whom baptism ought to be administered and how our baptism is to be improved by us, we also discussed during Sunday school who may administer the sacrament of baptism. In some churches, any believer may administer the sacrament of baptism; however, in most Presbyterian and Reformed churches, like ours, baptism is to be administered by a lawfully ordained minister of the Gospel (WCF 28.2).

If you’re interested in exploring the Biblical, theological, and practical reasons for our practice regarding who may administer the sacraments, I recommend two articles for further reading:

(1) “A Necessary Gift: Ordained Leaders and the Transmission of Wisdom” by Paige Britton. In this article, the author explores questions like, “Why should any Protestant Christian, woman or man, submit to church authority at all? In fact, what self-respecting citizen of democracy would choose submission, when she is free to pursue autonomy?”

(2) “Who Can Baptize?” by Kevin DeYoung. Here, the author explains the Biblical, theological, exegetical, and practical reasons for which only ordained ministers ought to administer the sacraments.

In the next section of the WLC, we will examine the meaning and significance of the Lord’s supper. I hope you will join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am in our continuing study of the Westminster Larger Catechism!

The Lord be with you!
Pastor Peter M. Dietsch