The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-03


made. Now, the only Scriptures known
to me that bear directly upon the specific
design OF baptism are the following;
John did baptize, and preach the bap::
tism of repentance for the remission OF
sins" Mark i. 4. 1.-THE people of Judea
and Jerusalem were baptized by him in
Jordan, confessing their sins" Mark /. 5.
"And He came into all the country about
Jordan preaching the baptism of repent
ance for the remission OF sins" Luke
iii. 5. "Repent and be baptized every one
OF You, in the namo OF the Lord Jesus"
Acts ii. 3S. "Arise and be baptized, and
wash away thy sins, calling ON the name
Of the Lord" Acts xxi. 10.
II these Scriptures do not set forth the
specific design OF baptism, then no Scrip
lures can be found that do; and we are,
all alike, utterly at sea on the subject.
From these quotations relative to Johns
baptism and Christian baptism, think
the great majority Of readers would con-
cede that baptism was, in some way, con-
nected with remission of past sins We
might be at some loss to know Just how
baptism touches upon the question OF
pardon, as to whether moral or legal, lit
eral or fgurative, but We must conclude
that in some way it sustains some relation
to the pardon Of past guilt.
With these oracles before MS We can
hardly deny that baptism in some way
has something to do with changing the
relations OF the believing soul.
| The relations of the soul before baptism
arc not just what they are after baptism;
at least not in all respects.
The relations to the ''visible church"
have certainly been changed. No unbap-
TIED person is recognized as n member OF
any Protestant Church, and, therefore, is
shut out from all the benefits to be derived
from such membership.
Whether such membership has any
bearing upon the salvation OF the soul or
not, we will not stop to discuss. But the
fact that We are commanded to DO chap
tized into the name OF the Father, and into
the name OF the Son, and into the name of
the Holy Spirit" would seem to indicate
that the soul, in baptism, enters upon new
relations with the Father. and with the
Son. and with the Holy Spirit
Paul tells us Galatians ill.,, 27) that in
baptism we put on Christ, aud are "bap.
TIED into Christ" Ii there can be any
meaning in this language at all. it suggests
that the soul in baptism is brought into
new and closer relation with Christ.
are baptized into the death OF Christ. 4"
And in the 4lh verse OF the same chapter
he declares that we arise from baptism to
walk in a new life. All this indicates i'm
portant changes in the relations OF the
soul at or through baptism.
We believe this change, whatever il Is,
to be very important, and to have an i'm.
portant bearing upon the souls eternal
happiness. But understand, we do not
confound the change that takes place in or
through baptism with n change OF heart,
or conversion, ms these terms are generally
understood. Baptism can effect no change
with an unchanged heart Baptism is
alone for the pure in heart and will have
no impression whatever upon the unbc.
lieving, unchanged heart
But the change for which we contend
here Is rom q state of condemnation 20
one OF justification. From the old life TO
the new life. From the kingdom OF dark.
ness TO the kingdom OF light From a
state OF guilt to a state OF innocency before
God.
II does not concern me as TO the precise
way in which baptism has TO do with these
changes. | only know that il Is most clear.
~ taught in the New Testament. that in
some way baptism stands connected with
these changes. II only in a fgurativo
sense, am content. This fact can In no
way lessen the importance OF the ordi.
nance, or Of obedience TO IL; nor can II
eilace the idea that baptism sustains some
important relation TO tho recovery OF the
soul from sin.
can see no reason why | should be
anxious 10 know just IN what sense hap.
tism is for the remission OF sins. II God
/ 4. A l. 4.
our sins are pardoned, II Is welll Baptism
Is still connected with remission OF sins
that are past, and, suppose, In an im-
portant manner.
The fact that we may be, and doubtless
are, unable 10 explain. away all the mys-
terry that hover about the Lords works
aud ways in tho development OF the soul
into the higher life. must not be regarded
rs evidence that lie does not work through
His own chosen means.
We cannot understand how by the law
Of incubation there comes forth from the
eagles egg. at the same time, meat,
bone, feathers, etc, etc; and yet II Is nc.
complishcd. No man living can tell pro.
ciscly how this Is done, but our Ignorance
docs not change the fact. The finite mind
can only follow the infinite forces 10 far,
In the process Of physical or spiritual dc.
yclopmenL
Great Is the mystery Of Godlincss. "
This mystery extends 10 every means oI
grace God has ordained for mans saliva.
ton.
We oil know we are saved by faith, but
We can only trace It's beautiful and fruit.
fol work upon the human heart 20 far,
and all beyond Is mystery. The same Is
true OF repentance. prayer, hope, love, the
blood Of Christ, the death Of Christ, etc,
etc. by the aid Of revelation and phios-
ophy We can follow these mighty factors In
their holy work Of tho souls develop.
mcnt for n time, but soon We become lost
In the mysteries OF :hc infinite.
But our ignorance cannot prevent the
glorious work. Il will 20 on until the
soul Is lifted into perfect union aud liar.
mony with Infinite power and infinite
love.
So in the study Of those scriptures that
speak Of the design and consequence OF
baptism, we cannot trace all their mean,
ing 10 n perfectly satisfactory conclusion,
but we eau know that they in some i'm.
portant way associate baptism with put.
ting on Christ" with entering into
Christ" with tho death Of Christ. with
the new liio In Christ; with the Father,
aud the Son, aud the Holy Spirit; with the
remission Of sins that are past
We arc not alone In our teaching on
this subject. This Is no new doctrine.
II was taught by inspired aud uninspircd
men hundreds OF years before Mr.. Camp
bell was born.