The Westminster Confession's teaching on who is to be baptised

[Scott1]

armourbearer
Moderator

It affects this question -- members and adherents or members only; but it is broader than that. The issue fundamentally pertains to the constitution of the visible church.

Westminster Confession of Faith XXV. 2.

II. The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion;[2] and of their children:[3] and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,[4] the house and family of God,[5] out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.[6]

Doesn't this seem to define the visible church as those who at least "profess the true religion"? In other words, someone who is attending but does not yet profess would not be a member of visible church in this sense and thus would not be able to present a child for baptism.

Any idea what the denominational practices are on this? Is there an examination of a parent required in most denominations (part of membership or perhaps specific to the request for the ordinance of baptism)?

 

[MW]

Westminster Confession of Faith XXV. 2.

II. The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion;[2] and of their children:[3] and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,[4] the house and family of God,[5] out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.[6]

Doesn't this seem to define the visible church as those who at least "profess the true religion"? In other words, someone who is attending but does not yet profess would not be a member of visible church in this sense and thus would not be able to present a child for baptism.

See WCF 28:1, "Baptism is a sacrament for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church." This means all who are baptised are considered members of the visible church.

 

[MW]

The church seems to be looking in its disciples for submission and union to herself, rather than union to Christ. She is capable of judging the one, despite the fact that many will want to be baptised and receive the table who require to be disciplined. But somehow she is incapable of judging a profession of faith in Christ, though equally a public matter, because some professions are false?

It is not submission to herself that the church is looking for, but submission to the ordinances ministered by the church as appointed by Christ. Those ordinances, properly administered, point to Him. The church is capable of judging the outward action, that is, who will and who will not submit to these ordinances. Likewise, she is capable of judging a profession of faith in Christ. If a person denies the Deity of Christ the office-bearers can clearly discern such a teaching is heresy. What they cannot do is judge the heart to see whether or not the person actually believes what is being professed. That kind of judgment belongs only to the Searcher of hearts.

 

[Scott1]

Westminster Confession of Faith XXV. 2.

II. The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion;[2] and of their children:[3] and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,[4] the house and family of God,[5] out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.[6]

Doesn't this seem to define the visible church as those who at least "profess the true religion"? In other words, someone who is attending but does not yet profess would not be a member of visible church in this sense and thus would not be able to present a child for baptism.

See WCF 28:1, "Baptism is a sacrament for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church." This means all who are baptised are considered members of the visible church.

So, if you have a parent attending church regularly and they have not been baptized, then are you saying that their child would not be baptized per the Westminster Confession? If so, would this include an invalid baptism (e.g. in a church that does not preach the Gospel)?

 

[MW]

So, if you have a parent attending church regularly and they have not been baptized, then are you saying that their child would not be baptized per the Westminster Confession? If so, would this include an invalid baptism (e.g. in a church that does not preach the Gospel)?

The branch is only holy if the root is holy. If the parent is not baptised neither should the child be.

I can't accept this definition of "invalid baptism." The Confession clearly states what a valid baptism is, and it only pertains to the matter (water) and the manner (Trinitarian); it also adds the minister (lawfully ordained) in order to constitute it "regular." A church that does not preach the gospel certainly administers an unlawful baptism, but not an invalid baptism.

 

[Scott1]

So, if you have a parent attending church regularly and they have not been baptized, then are you saying that their child would not be baptized per the Westminster Confession? If so, would this include an invalid baptism (e.g. in a church that does not preach the Gospel)?

The branch is only holy if the root is holy. If the parent is not baptised neither should the child be.

I can't accept this definition of "invalid baptism." The Confession clearly states what a valid baptism is, and it only pertains to the matter (water) and the manner (Trinitarian); it also adds the minister (lawfully ordained) in order to constitute it "regular." A church that does not preach the gospel certainly administers an unlawful baptism, but not an invalid baptism.

So, are you saying your understanding of the Westminster Confession is:

1)only parents who have been baptized can be members of the "visible church"
2)only such parents can have their children baptized in the church
3)an "unlawfull" baptism (e.g. Roman) would count

Also, any idea if most Reformed denominations adhere to this (requiring baptism only of the parents)?

 

[MW]

So, are you saying your understanding of the Westminster Confession is:

1)only parents who have been baptized can be members of the "visible church"
2)only such parents can have their children baptized in the church
3)an "unlawfull" baptism (e.g. Roman) would count

Also, any idea if most Reformed denominations adhere to this (requiring baptism only of the parents)?

Basically, yes; although 1) would need clarification to the effect that baptism is not absolutely necessary for membership in the invisible church.

I'm not sure about the general practice today. Denominationalism has probably contributed to a "visible believer" concept of the church, and thereby diminished the pure Presbyterian ideal.

 

[Scott1]

Lots to ponder here, thanks!