The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-29
By REV, Il. II HAWES.

s.
But why dove baPtjze. when God dso plainly
gave circumcision as the covenant token T?
The answer is that Jesus Christ commanded
baptism iO "the time Of reformation" Matt
xviii: 1920. Had lie commanded the
continuance Of circumcision, that would have
been our duty. But His new command is
to baptize. Again, had circumcision been
continued, we would all feel it our duty to
give this token 70 our children according to
all previous custom unleSS forbidden to do so
Jy cypress Iaa0: and why should simple
change 10 the form of token, suggest any
doubts as to the subjects? The formal CON-
mission to baptSe is prefaced by these
words: "Au power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. If Jesus had g all
power" then He had the right to order this
change from circumcision to baptism. Ana
He did It Up to the tine of Christ, if any
proselyte joined the Lords hosts he must
be ciroumcised. After the institution of
baptism, ali neV eon1srs to the church were
baptized. Jesus 80 commanded it. 1t is
to be noted here that in Matt. xviii: 10,
the word "teaeh' means '' 30 make disciples
to proseyte." Christ sent out His dis
eiples 60 "all nations to Gentiles. These
Gsntiles we're hedt6ea-" aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from
the covenants of promise. Eph. ii: r.
Tney weFe % Be Prosslyted (datt. xviii +:
19) to the religion of Christ. And the rule
for proselyting was the same that had al
ways existed. Christ gave no new law
Consequently the apostles would prOcsed
upon tnst already existing. Bot We read;
"He that belieyesh aud is baptized shall be
saved. True. The message IS to GentjIes
whO wers aeuer az covenant Witb God They
must therefore come upon profession of
faith, and receive the token belonging to the
dispensation under which their call was
given. Upon their renuneiation of their
heathenism, they were to be entered into the
school of Christ, aud receive the badge of
membership. This is the simple explanation
of Matt. xvii 10 But was this baptism
intended only for behegsrsg Read Matt.
xviii: 10, 90 Not one aoord IS SAID about
faith. The adult must If course come by
profession of faith. But the covenant law
demands that the token shall be given to his
children also, after this. Therefore Christ
did not set aside this law in the great COM
mission, by commanding that each one baP
tized should be believer. Matthew is the
only one who records this commission in
full. The change of form iu the token, does
not change the covenant law, nor the consti-
tuition Of the church If | could change
the form of State seal, that would not alter
the laws and Constitution Of the State
But if a new form is ordained, the old form
ceases. So of circumcision aud baptism
If this be so, it may be asked Way were
any baptized, who had been ereumci8ed ?
The reason is plain. The great body Of the
people had apOstauz3d. is a people they
finally and expressly rejected and crucifed
Christ. Thus they ignored the true faith,
and became as heather. And during thiS
apostasy, the old token was changed to the
new one. While they stood as aliens, bap
tism was substituted as the covenant token.
Their circumcision had become WneireUmeis-
i0n by their spostssy. Consequently in
the first sermon uader che New DISPENSE
ton they are told to be baptised. Only
thus,-by receiving the token which liz
whom they rejected had ordained, could they
declare their acceptance Of Him. Had they
not apostatized, baptism would not have been
necessary. For "the fait4fal remnant ot
people, a0ho neusr rejected Christ were moi
baptized, so far as any record shows. Theil
circumcision retained its significance, and
answered instead Of baptism. Such were
Simeon, Nathaniel, Zaeoheus and Others
who believed in Christ as soon as their faith
was demanded. Nor have we any evidence
that the " one hundred and twenty of Acts
/: 15., we're baptized. There is no need t,
show tlat people of t6is class were baptized
in the name of Jesus, if they had been cir
cumeised. And we have no evidence tha
all the members of the Reformed Churol
received baptism. 0shers who are described
Acts iii II, were obliged 20 be baptized
The "Israelite indeed, John i; Al, and tn
"sOn of Abraham" Luke xix: 8, stood il
their circumcision. When Peter said "Re