The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-01-25


they cite in support of immersion for
the remission of sins belonged to the
Jews, and none of 1t to Gentiles. The
Jews were cxhorted by John the Bap-
tist and others to renounce sin, to
return to harmony with Moses Law.
and to show this change of character
by water immersion. But those Ephe-
SLAMS who believed In Christ and
whom Apollos baptized for the remis-
sion OF sins did not receive the holy
Spirit. St Paul explained to them
that their baptism was an improper
one-that they as Gentiles required
an immersion into Christ (Acts xix,
II; Romans vi, 81.
Baptist Union Not Federation.
As week ago we suggested to
Presbyterians, Congregationalists and
Methodists union of heart and head
as better than federation, so now we
suggest TO the denominations whose
doctrines we are considering today.
What we shall suggest respecting bap-
tism will apply to all Christians.
All Christians agree that Jesus and
his apostles taught baptism and that
there are but zone Lord, one faith and
one baptism QEphesians iv, 81. We can
not here elaborate, but merely suggest
that nowhere in the Scriptures Is in
fant baptism commanded or urged. The
expression, Believe and be baptized"
implies n mental development capable
of belief beyond that which infants
possess. The original pretext for in
PRODUCING INFANT baptism was set forth
by ST. Augustine. who urged that as
all mankind were going to eternal tor
ture except the Church. it was neces-
sary to get infants into the Church;
and bapts>l was set forth as the
doorway. All parents, of course, were
anxious that their children should be
Immersed into the Church ard saved
from eternal torture. And those good
wishes were certainly commendable,
even If unnecessary.
Subsequently immersion was declar-
ed to be unnecessary and sprinkling
became Its substitute with all. The
thougnt OF preservation from eternal
torment thereafter attached to the
sprinlilng. Although our minds have
believe st. Augustine's presentation.
nevertheless the custom of infant
sprinkling continues with more or less
of fear to abandon it for the childs
sake.
Who will dispute that st. Paul's
words of Romans vi, 3-5, are the clear
est presentation OF the import of bap-
tism furnished us In the Bible! The
passage Is cited in proof of every the
ory of baptism, yet 1t supports only
one-the true one. Notice that 1t does
not say, ns many suppose, So many OF
us as were baptized into Jesus Christ
were baptized into tUatcr. 1t does say.
$50 many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into his
dCath." Is there not difference?
That difference ls the explanation of
all OF our difficulty on this subject.
The clearing of 1t away furnishes the
foundation for harmony between all;
and not merely for harmony, but for
union amongst all classes OF consecrat-
ed Christians.
Consider the passage critically.
First. immersion into Christ signifies
to the justified believer his immersion
into, his burial into. the Body of
Christ as a member of "the Church
which Is his Body (lphesians |, %,
23,. The Apostle sets forth clearly a
distinction between the Church and
the world and between the salvation
of the Church and the salvation of the
world. The Church are 'the elect
of the Lord. called and chosen; and
If faithful, they will be members OF
the glorious Church beyond the veil
It, as the Bride OF Christ, will be his
companion and Queen during the Mil
lennlal reign OF glory for the blessing
of the world-for the blessing of the
non-elect. considered last Sunday.
st. Paul not only tells us of our
need to be thus immersed Into mem
bershlp In the Body OF Christ, but he
proceeds to tell us hop that member
ship can be brought about. The
words. Baptism into his death" ex
plain the matter. How strange that
we ever thought these words signilled
water immersion! Our eyes are now
opened. Plainly, now, we see, that
into his death" signifies our partlci
patton with our Lord Jesus in suf
fering for Righteousness. in self-de
malls. self-sacrillclngs of the samt
character as those endured by the
Master. II Is true indeed that the
whole world suffers pain, sorrow. dis
appointment, etc; yet our Lord suf
fered differently from all others, ant
our dying must correspond TO his. Hi
suffered, the Just for the unjust. ThC
holy, harmless. undeliled One lait
down his life scientifically, voluntarily
joyfully. And we, to share in hil
DEATH to be baptized into his death,
must do the same.
True, Jesus was spotless, while W,
are members of the fallen race. Blu
we are justified through faith In hi
blood. Aud hence we have in th'
! Divine sight through him STANDING