The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1910-01-29

list and others 10 sln, 10
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, -.
Baptist Union Not Federation.
AS a week ago we suggested to
Presbyterians, Congregationalists and
Methodists a 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" Ephesians Nv, 81. We can
not here elaborate, but merely suggest
that nowhere in the Scriptures is IN
FAINT baptism commanded or urged. The
expression, Believe and be baptized"
implies a 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, 1t was neces-
sary to get infants into the Church;
and baptism was set forth as the
doorway. All parents, Of course, were
anxious that their children should be
immersed into the Church and saved
from eternal torture. And those good
wishes were certainly ~commendable,
even II unnecessary.
subsequently immersion was declar-
ed to be unnecessary and %sprinkling
became its substitute with all. The
thought Of preservation from eternal
torment thereafter attached to the
sprinkling. Although our minds have
broadened, so that comparatively few
believe st. Augustlne's presentation,
nevertheless the custom Of infant
sprinkllng continues with more or less
Of fear to abandon 1t for the child's
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, as many suppose, So many Of
us as were baptized into Jesus Christ
were baptized into ioater. 1t does say.
80 many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into his
DEATH" Is there not a difference?
That difference is the explanation of
all of our difficulty on this subject.
The clearing of it 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" Ephesians |, %,
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.
1t, as the Bride Of Christ, will be his
companion and Queen during the Mil
lennial 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.
bership in the Body of Christ, but he
proceeds to tell US h0io that member
ship can be brought about. The
words, Baptism into his death" ex
plain the matter. How strange that
we eyer thought these words signifed
water immersion! Our eyes are now
openedl Plainly, now, we see thai
Unto his death" signifies our partici
patton with our Lord Jesus in sGf
fering for righteousness, in self-de
malls, self-sacrifcings of the sam
character as those endured by thu
Master. 1t is true indeed that thu
whole world suffers pain, sorrow, dis
appointment, ETC.; yet our Lord suf
fered differently from all others, ant
u dying must correspond to his. H,
suffered, the Just for the unjust. TIL,
holy, harmless, undefled One lait
down his life Specifically, voluntarily
joyfully. And we, to share in hi
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. And hence we have in tn
Divine sight through him a standinI
Of human perfection or justification
This standing is granted to us or in
puted to us for the very purpose o
permitting us to sacrifice our humai
, rights and earthly interests as he sac
rilced his. The "elect" are to be dea'
with him, that in the resurrection the.
may live with him and be like him an
share his glory. honor and immortal t1