Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-06-25

The following is synopsis OF q
sermon recently preached by Rev
Henry Thomas, pastor, in the Welsh
Baptist church, this place:
As Baptists we hold no i'll will towards any
who differ from us in opinion, but as the
laws of the kingdom of God command, we
exercise charity towards all men.
In ages past the bulk of christian bodies
have been marvelously-I would almost say
criminal ignorant Of their fundamental
differences, lions watchmen cannot as yet
"eye to eye" but the light of truth is be-
coming clearer and christian charity asserts
itself more and more every day.
Our principal difference from other denom-
nations lies very much deeper and takes a
wider sweep than in the question of baptism
only
The Baptist body has never put forth a
formulated creed Ga few individual churches
and associations eXceptcd,) vet our faith and
practice have been wonderfully alike in every
age and country wherein we have existed,
being founded on certain fundamental prin-
ciples, universally understood by ourselves,
which may be summed up under the follow
ing heads
L. That the inspired Scriptures contain the
full and supreme authority Of Christ in all
that relates to christian faith and practice.
II. That christian church consists only of
rcgeneratcd individuals protesting faith in
Jesus Christ and are loyal TO His laws
Ill. That the ordinances of Baptism and
the Lords Supper should always be observed
by the church in their apostollcal simplicity.
". That all connection between the
church and the State, ard that all dstnc-
tons made by the State amongst its citizens
on the ground of religion should be earnestly
opposed
We maintain in regard to Baptism
|. That it is pure christian ordinance a
ner rite in the history of religion, having
no connection whatever with any previous
religious rite and first introduced by John
the Baptist by divine commission.-John
i, 80.
There were divers washings in the Jewish
church, but they differed very much from
the christian baptism in the following par
ticulars:
/, They were observed for ceremonial
publication. Baptism is mot for the putting
away the filth of the flesh, but the answering
of Il good conscience toward God through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter ill., p.
. The diverse washingS in the church of
the Old covenant were performed by the
ceremonially unclean upon themselves;
baptism was administered unto others by
persons who were themselves baptised and
duly qualified and appointed to baptize Others
3, Those additions in the Old Testament
church were repeated as often as the wor-
shippers became ceremonially Wnclean
baptism is to be observed once only in a
believers lifetime.
4, Those washings under the Mosaic
economy We're in no wise initiatory in
character; baptism initiates the baptized into
the new gospel faith; it is the door to the
christian church. Christ was initiated into
his Messianc office through baptsm.-Matt.
iii.
We maintain
IL. That Baptism is Il very important part
ofthe christian constitution. The following
reasons prove this position:
/, Christs own submission to the ordi-
nance.-Matt iii, Is. His example had an
important meaning; lie would not submit
to Il meaningless rite but hath given us an
example that we should follow Him"
,, Jesus as the Supreme Head of the Church
commanded and joined Baptism lnseparably
with the preaching of the Gospel SO, We,
therefore, and make disciples Of all the ma
hons baptizing into the name of the Father"
etc.-Matt. xviii, 10.
s. The disciples understood its importance,
and enioined the sacred rite upon all their
converts.
We maintain
III, That the only mode of baptism autho T.
lied by the New Testament is immersion.
There are other modes that have church
authority for their support, but no Scriptural
authority in precept or practice.
Our reasons in proof of this position are the
following:
/, The plain meaning of the Greek word,
'Japtizo,' which should be translated to dip,
or to immerse.
3, The plain inference from the references
made in the New Testament to the admin
istration of Baptism. John baptiscd in the
Jordan; also in Aenon, near unto Salim, be-
cause there was much water there.-John iii,
%. Paul says that 'we are buried with Him
in baptism. Rom. vi, 4, 5. The inference
from these and like passages is very plain and
conclusive
3, This was the mode IN which the sacred
rite was administered by the churches until
the 18th century. 1t is still the practice of
the whole Grecian church and the Cathedral
of Milan to this day, and the mode enjoined
in the common prayer-book of the Episcopal
churches of England and America in the
present age.
We maintain
~, That the only proper subjects of the
New Testament baptism are converted per-
sons who are capable of repentance and'faith
Because
l, The Apostles required repentance and
faith in all their converts before baptism.
>, Because baptism cannot be means of
grace without repentance and faith in the
baptized.
3, Because this was the universal practice
of the early christian churches down to the
middle of the third century; the baptism of
infants was at that time introduced and the
abuse then brought in was far from being
universal.
We maintain
v That Baptism has Il very important
sgnitication
l, As sign of the spiritual union of the
converted soul with Christ.-Rom. vi, 4, 5 :;
(see the new version) of the New Testament