South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-02-12
MLSHAWAKA GENERAL NEWS
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enough 10 be responsible for person
al sins. The whole church up 10.
and past the Nicean period believed
IN bautism for remission OF sins
The over-stress on this doctrine led
10 the error OF baptism regulation.
This coupled with the doctrine OF
original sin was responsible for the
doctrines Of infant baptism. The
thought is harbored in many hearts
today that an unbaptized infant viii
not be saved But this fear is re-
moved by the scriptures. The very
saving of Jesus referred II as proof
for infant baptism. not only says
nothing about baptism. but teaches
positively that the kingdom II
heaven belongs TO children. CT.
Mat 19:12-14. Then were there
brought unto him little children,
that he should lay mis- hands on
them. and pray. and the disciples re-
buked them.
but Jesus said. suffer the little
children. and forbid them not, TO
come unto me. for to such belongeth
the kingdom of heaven" Again. CT
Matt 1925, And he called TO MN
a little child. and set him in the mi list
Of them. and said, Verify / say unto
YOU. Except We turn. and become as
little children. We shall in no wise
enter into the kingdom Of heaven
So Christ endorsed the innOcency 81
the child. The scriptures teach Dap-
tisu is for remission OF sins. me
child has no sin None in the list OF
the baptized in the new testament
record. can be found. where II is IN
dicated in Gods word they were
not old enough 10 first hear and De-
lieve Gods word. And everywhere
Cbrist's method was to make dis
cfpIes by preaching the gospel 10
every creature. These disciples were
then baptized and taught. The con-
sitions Of faith and repentance were
always the prerequisites 10 scripture
baptism. and baptism was command
ed 10 every believer. CT. Acts 2;5S.
The vital significance OF baptism
ia indicated in the very action IN
yolved in this sacred rite. Paul said
CRom. 6:34) or. are We ignorant that
all we who were baptized, were pap
tized unto his death. We were Durleu
therefore with him through baptism
unto death: that like as Christ Was
raised from the dead through the
glory OF the Father so we also
might walk in narrOwness OF me-
Christ when baptized came up not
only from but out of the water.
The church. when baptized. went
down into and came up out OF the
water such action is accounted Tor
only on the ground that baptlSdi
means Immersion burial ana q
resurrection in the likeness vi
Christs burial and resurrection IN
Christs plan of redemption from slh
everything hamOnizes. 1t IS einl-
nently fitting that at the time OF con-
version the soul that is crucified 10
sin should exhibit. in the rite that
marks his separation from sin ana
entrance into the kingdom of God'
the very likeness to death, burial and
resurrection of Christine facts oil
the gospel of his salvation.
Furthermore. obedience in hap
tism marks the birth of the newly
begotten soul into the spiritual lie
of sthe kingdom. The resurrection
from the burial in baptism is repre-
sentative of the experience through
the soul is passing death to SIN.
and a resurrection to 'newness Of
living
The assurance, not only oil par
don bestowed. but also of the gilt OF
the Holy Spirit lends new sisniIl-
rance To the importance of baptism.
II there is the complete obedience IN
baptism Of the penitent peheN en-
then is one made the recipient OF the
spirit. CT. Acts 2:3S; Gal. o; AcIs
5:22. We plead for the vital signiIl-
nance of haptism for every conNert.