ON THE SUBJECT OF

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM,

PRESENTED IN THREE PARTS, VIZ.

1. Believers proved to be the only proper subjects of Chris-
tian Baptism.

II. The different modes of administering this ordinance in use
among the Churches shown to be valid.

II. Open Communion with all Evangelical Christians illus-
trated and defended.

BY JABEZ CHADWICK, A. M.
Of Genoa, Cayuga County, N. Y.

ITHACA:

PRINTED BY MACK & ANDRUS.

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Believers proved to be the only proper subjects of Christian

Baptism.

CHAPTER I-Containing the argument from the apostolick commission for the

baptism of believers only.

CHAP. II.-The baptism of John shown to be distinct from Christian baptism,

and only preparatory to it; yet it reflects light upon the present question, as

it was applied to believers only.

CHAP. III.-Christian baptism shown to have been instituted by Christ during

his life and personal ministry.

CHAP. IV.-The various attempts to include infants in the apostolick commis-

sion for baptism, considered and refuted.

CHAP. V.—Circumcision shown to be of perpetual obligation to the Jews, and

hence baptism cannot be considered as a substitute.

CHAP. VI.-The fact that the kingdom of heaven was set up, or the New Tes

tament dispensation introduced during Christ's life and personal ministry, par-

ticularly illustrated and proved.

CHAP. VII.—The memorable passage, Acts ii. 38-41, particularly examined.

CHAP. VIII-The three instances of the baptism of a household, recorded Acts

xvi. 14, 15, 33, and I. Cor. i 16, particularly examined.

CHAP. IX.-The right of believers only to baptism confirmed by the constitu-

tion of the apostolick churches.

CHAP. X.-Containing an examination of Mark x. 13-16, Rom. xi. 16, 17, and
1. Cor. vii. 14.

CHAP. XI.—The nature of positive institutions illustrated and established.

CHAP. XII.--The Abrahamick covenant, though a gracious covenant, or a dis-

pensation of the covenant of grace; yet, shown to be distinct from the cove-

nant of grace itself.

CHAP. XIII.-The argument for the baptism of infants, grounded on the interest

which they are supposed to have in the promise of the Abrahamick covenant,

considered and refuted.

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CHAP. XIV.--The inconsistency between the belief and practice of Pedobap

tists, respecting the church-membership of infants, exposed.

CHAP. XV. Containing additional evidence that there is such a change in the

constitution of the church, under the gospel, as excludes the membership of

infants

CHAP. XVI.--The argument in favour of infant baptism, from ecclesiastical

history, examined, and shown to be insufficient and inconclusive.

CHAP. XVII.--Containing remarks on female communion, and the change of

the Sabbath.

PART II.

The different modes of administering the ordinance of baptism.

in use among the churches shown to be valid.

CHAP. I.--Containing an examination of the Greek word, baptizo.

CHAP. II.-Containing an examination of the Greek word, louo, as used to de-

note the ordinance of baptism.

CHAP. III.--The figurative import of baptism examined.

CHAP. IV. The circumstances attending the administration of baptism con-

sidered.

CHAP. V.-Containing an examination of the argument in favour of immersion

from ecclesiastical history.

CHAP. VI.-Concluding arguments in favour of the validity of all modes of

baptism.

PART III.

Open communion with all evangelical Christians illustrated and

defended.

CHAP. I.-The subject explained.

CHAP II-Containing the argument for open communion founded on the

Christian experience and character.

CHAP. III-Containing the argument for open communion based upon the prin-

ciple that the mode of baptism is not essential.

CHAP. IV-Containing the argument for open communion based upon the right

and privilege of private judgement.

CHAP. V.-Containing the argument for open communion based upon the con-

sideration that, although baptism was manifestly intended to precede, in the

order of nature, the commemoration of Christ's death in the ordinance of the

supper, it does not appear that we have a warrant to insist upon it as an in-

dispensable prerequisite, in all cases.

INTRODUCTION..

THE question, who are to be baptized, has received, and continues to receive, different answers. Some affirm that believers in Jesus are the only proper subjects of this ordinance; others insist that not only believers, but their infant children, or households, are proper subjects.

It is obvious, that the one or the other of these opinions, and of the respective practices founded thereon, must be wrong. Either the former class fail, in part, to do what Christ has solemnly required to be done; or the latter go beyond his order, and baptize multitudes who do not come within the compass of their commission.

Taking unauthorized ground, whether it be done by the one, or the other, materially alters the course prescribed by our Lord, and deranges the order which belongs to his kingdom.

Not that I would represent the errour, in either case, as fatal. There are doubtless hristians among both Baptists and Pedobaptists. Nevertheless, the errour of the one, or of the other, is extremely hurtful, and ought to be relinquished.

The subject of Christian baptism is one of great practical importance. This is evinced by many considerations: some of which are the following, viz: its being a positive institution, and one of the two Christian sacraments, or New Testament ordinances; its being a badge of discipleship, and a door of entrance into the visible church; its forming, of course, a dividing line between the visible kingdom of Christ and the world; its being a bond of union among Christiau professors; and its laying the baptized under peculiar obligations to a holy life. There is, al-so, a peculiar prominence given to this ordinance in all the New Testament records.

It is therefore, as above stated, a subject of great practical importance. The authority and glory of Christ, and the good of Zion, are seriously affected by the manner in which this subject is viewed and treated.

The duty and proper employment of Christians is to obey the precepts of Christ, their Lord and Master. "Ye are my