The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-01-20
WRITTEN FOR THE PRESS,
JOINTS BAPTISM.
NO. S.

NO. S.
l. "By what formula did John admins
ter Baptism2
2. Was Johns Baptism, Christian Bap-
tisln2
3. If Johns Baptism was Christian Bap-
tism, why were the people who submitted to
it Japtized2
4. Why was our Lord Jesus Christ bap-
,ized2
5. Ind, upon what profession Of Faith?
G. What does baptism representa-
7. If it represents the burial and resur-
rection of Christ, what represents the de-
scension Of the Holy Ghost, or, the baptism
ofthe Holy Ghost?
8. BY what mode was baptism admins
tered?
8. If by immersion, how does "into
mean undcr2"
l now proceed TO answer the 9th query,
viz: "What does baptism represent"
There were ,h. gs in former ages which
bore resemblance to baptism, such as the
salvation Of Noah and his family in the ark,
the passage Of the lsraelites through the sea,
divers washings, bathings, &c. But the
thing itself did not exist until it was reveal
ed to the forerunrer Of Christ. Saul was
directed to wash away his sins calling on
the name OF the Led. always sal
repent and be bapt remission of
sins. Peter also say = and his family
"were saved by water" Tho like figure
whereun,o baptism doth now save u.s.
This remission Of sins and salvation by wa
ter is spropcry ascrbcd not to the element,
but to the name into which we are baptized.
Sin is washed away by baptism in the same
sense in which his flesh is eaten and his
blood drank in the Lords Supper. sE
Baptism is there figure, not seal, but
sign. The sign must signify something.
The figure must represent something. Now
the question is what does it represent
Baptism is introduced in tho epislles to the
being dead and buried 10 the principles and
pursuits Of the present world; and by faith
in Christ raised as into new world. The
death Of Christ is cmphatically mentioned
rs that into which we are baptized. "Know
ye not that SO many Of us as were baptized
into Jesus Christ were baptized into his
deaths Therefore we are buried with him
by baptism into death, that like as Christ
died and was raised up from the dead by
the glory Of the Father even SO we also
should walk in newness Of liEe."
We are buried with Christ by baptism
into'death. What death Evidently death
to sin. The leading idea of death and
burial is a separation from the world
There is no greater line Of separation than
that between the living and the dead. Such
is the line drawn by faith between the re-
newed world and the world depraved. So
also, the principal thing denoted by res
direction is an entrance upon new state
of being. Such is the state of which the
immersion ofthe body from the baptismal
waters is the sign. Religion does not. con-
sist in mere negatives. 1t is not enough TO
die to the world, but we must be alive to
God.
Thus we see the resemblance of baptism
by immersion 10 the death and resurrection
of Christ is not only manifest, but clearly
and distinctly taught in the scriptures. 1t
is no where said that baptism represents the
descent Of the Spirit. And least of all
should this be said by a pedo-baplist, for if
sprinkling few drops of water upon the
head be baptism, and this representing the
descent Of The Spirit, then the representa-
ton would be inadequate and insignificant,
if not contemplate.
A few words on the seventh query. "If
baptism represents the death and resurrec.
ton of Christ what represents the descension
of the Holy Ghost or the baptism of the
Holy Ghost 2" If show what baptism re.
presents, am not bound to show what 9th.
er thing represents something else. Smi.
lar questions might be asked, for instance.
If the sacrifices slain upon Jewish altars re-;
present the sacrifice of Christ what repre-.
sented the Christians deati, to SIM Or if
the tender twig, plucked from the top Of
the loftiest cedar represents Christ taken
from the royal family Of David, what repre-
sents the man ia tho moona
....,.,- B.. G.
Nine y SKIS. G.