The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-03
THE DESIGN OF BAPTISM
TEACHINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN
CHURCH ON THE SUBJECT.
The Arguments Advanced by the Rev.
DR.. j. w. Ingram In His Morning Dis
course at the Linden Street Chris
tlan Church Yesterday.

AT tne Linden street Chrlsuan Churcn
yesterday morning there was large con-
gregation.
The Rev. DIR. J. W. Ingram, pastor, had
announced as the subject OF his discourse
in that service, Teaching Of the Christian
Church on the Design OF Baptism"
Taking as his text Gallatins ill.,, 81, "For
as many OF you as have been baptized into
Christ have put on Christ" the reverend
speaker said
THE DISCOURSE.
Our purpose in this discourse is not 80
much TO make an argument as state
ment We feel justified in trying to set
forth IN plain way the views OF the dis.
ciples upon the subject OF Christian bap.
tism as it is related to the saving of the
soul. This seems almost necessary, in view
OF the fact that we have been represented,
both publicly and privately, as teaching
unsound doctrine on this point. There are
those who insist thar we attach too much
Importance to water baptism, and associ-
ate il with the souls salvation in way
not authorized in the Scriptures. / am
persuaded that when the truth is fully
understood il will be seen that there is not
as much difference in the teachings OF the
Christian Church at this point and other
religious peoples as many imagine. 1t may
be wholesome as well us in keeping with
the spirit OF our holy religion TO compare
notes and see wherein VIC agree on the
topic under discussion.
POINTS OF AGREEMENT.
There is substantial agreement among
all Professionals on the following points
]. The Father and the Son unite in
commanding all true believers TO be bap-
iized.
2. That this command to be baptized is
accompanied by all the divine sanction
and authority that accompanies any other
command OF God.
3. That no minister Of the Gospel has
the right TO receive any one into full lel.
lowship OF the church without baptism.
4. That baptism, being OF divine ap.
pointment and closely identified with
church membership, is part OF the great
system OF salvation OF which Jesus the
Christ is author and finisher.
8. That to refuse to obey this command.
ment OF God is to neglect an important
duty, and thus endanger the salvation oi
the soul.
On these five points we arc very gener.
ally agreed, | think. But we are charged
with going beyond this and teaching that
all unimmersed persons will be eternally
lost; that conversion takes place in hap.
usmi that water washes away sin, etc,
etc.
can only say that have been q
preacher in tho Christian Church for over
twenty-five years, and know something
OF the teaching Of our people; and know
OF no one among us, from the least 70 the
greatest, that teaches such doctrine.
am free TO say that were man 10 ask
me 10 receive him into the Christian
Church without baptism | would refuse.
In the first place, for lack OF divine au.
thority; and, la the second place, because
no man is Iii for place in tho church o
Christ who wants 10 dictate the condition,
Of membership. The fact that he wishe.
10 set aside one OF Gods commands prove.
him unworthy place in the church o
Christ. And were this same man 10 ask
II he could not get into heaven without
being baptized, should answer with q
most emphatic no. With such spirit OIL
- rebellion a man could not enter heaven
with or without baptism.
But this is not teaching that every un.
baptized man will DO lost.
IL Is the duty Of every soul wishing tC
honor God and obey Christ TO be baptized
and 10 refuse Is 20 show that the heart /,
uNk likAk iAA AAN nihAA VI 'fVNAf NlN MAAlluul
pure heart no man shall see the Lord.
As a people We do not attach as much
IMPORTANCE
to a knowledge Of the design Of baptism
rs many suppose. wish TO give especial
emphasis just here. We do not regard q
knowledge Of the divine purpose OF lhi,
ordinance as ut all essential TO is validity
il Is my belief that Christian people should
L.. Nst,tfl.aa Itaa..aat.... a. l..
matter, aud lovingly unite In urging all
men everywhere TO be baptized, bccaus,
God and Ills Son unite In commanding H.
which surely should be an allsuflicicni
reason. On tho importance Of tho ordi
nance as n command Of God and supported
by all authority In heaven and on earth
and as an expression OF the wisdom and
love Of our heavenly Father, we can AL
unite. The rest We may safely leave with
the Lord.
II ought TO be quite sufficient for III,
Trusting soul 10 know that infinite wisdom
i1lniie purity and infinite love have al
united in asking obedience 10 this ordi
nance without pausing for one moment L
demand a reason for such a step.
The child who loves and trusts IN,
earthly parent seldom stops 10 demand
reason why II is required TO do certain
things. The will OF the PARENTS sufficient
reason. To the heart under the dominion
Of q living faith II must look Ike calling IL
,, question the wisdom or the goodness o
God 10 withhold obedience 10 His require
ments until lilo shall point out the reason
for Il or reveal some philosophy in II.
When soul is prepared by faith ant
repentance 10 take this diyinely directed
atcp, and does 80 with childish trust IL
God, II will reap the reward Of loyalty an,
obedience, though II lie in total gnoranc,
oithc true design Of the ordinance. The sou
may lose something M result OF Thu
blindness, but that something will not bI
salvation.
OF course there must exist somewhere
some reason, some purpose for requiring
man 10 submit 10 this outward form. Nc
doubt God has purpose In view, wise
bcncfccnt purpose.
The plan OF redemption, taken as
whole. undoubtedly has for is purpos,
Gods glory and mans salvation. And ~
this Is the design OF tho plan rs a whole, Il
must also DO the design OF each csscntia
part.
II the purpose Of my clock Is 10 indicai,
the correct time, then am at no loss /,
understand the general purpose Of ever,
wheel forming part OF that clock. Bu
this general purpose only makes an immo
diato or spcclho purpose or design noccs
tafy.
II will hardly DO denied that In thi
eroal avalon, III galvation earh itpm