2:1, 2 h Ps. 119:18 i Heb. 4:2; 2 Thess. 2:10 j Ps. 119:18 k Luke 8:15; James 1:25
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Q. 96. How do baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effectual means of salvation?
A. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effectual means of salvation, not for any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them, but only by the blessing of Christ, (l) and the working of the Spirit in those that by faith receive them. (m)
l 1 Pet. 3:21; Mt. 3:11; 1 Cor. 3:6, 7 m 1 Cor. 12:3; Mt. 28:19
Q. 97. What is baptism?
A. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament instituted by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death, burial, and resurrection; of his being ingrafted into him; (n) of remission of sins; (o) and of his giving up himself unto God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life. (p)
n Rom. 6:3, 4, 5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27 o Mk. 1:4; Acts 2:38, and 22:16 p Rom. 6:3, 4
Q. 98. To whom is baptism to be administered?
A. Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God, (q) faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other. (r)
q Acts 2:38; Mt. 3:6 r Acts 8:12, 36, 37, 38; 10:47, 48
Q. 99. Are the infants of such as are professing believers to be baptized?
A. The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptized, because there is neither command or example in the holy scriptures, or certain consequence from them to baptize such. (s)
s Ex. 23:13; Pr. 30:6; Lk. 3:7, 8
Q. 100. How is Baptism rightly administered?
A. Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the party in water, into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, according to Christ’s institution, and the practice of the apostles, (t) and not by sprinkling or pouring of water, or dipping some part of the body, after the tradition of men.
t Mt. 3:16; Jn. 3:23; 4:1, 2; Mt. 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12
Q. 101. What is the duty of such who are rightly baptized?
A. It is the duty of such who are rightly baptized to give up themselves to some particular and orderly church of Jesus Christ, that they may walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (u)
u Acts 2:41, 42; 5:13, 14; 9:26; 1 Pet. 2:5; Lk. 1:6
Q. 102. What is the Lord’s supper?
A. The Lord’s supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ; wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to his appointment, his death is shown forth, and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. (v)
v Mt. 26:26, 27, 28; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 10:16
Q. 103. Who are the proper subjects of this ordinance?
A. They who have been baptized upon a personal profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance from dead works. (w)
w Acts 2:41, 42
Q. 104. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s supper?
A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, (x) of their faith to feed upon him, (y) of their repentance, (z) love, (a) and new obedience, (b) lest coming unworthily they eat and drink judgment to themselves. (c)
x 1 Cor. 11:28, 29 y 2 Cor. 13:5 z 1 Cor. 11:31 a 1 Cor. 10:16, 17 b 1 Cor. 5:7, 8 c 1 Cor. 11:28, 29
Q. 105. What is prayer?
A. Prayer is an offering up our desires to God, (d) by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, (e) for things agreeable to his will, (f) in the name of Christ, (g) believing, (h) with confession of our sins, (i) and thankful acknowledgments of his mercies. (j)
d Ps. 62:8 e Rom. 8:26 f 1 Jn. 5:14; Rom. 8:27 g Jn. 16:23 h Mt. 21:22; James 1:6 i Ps. 32:5, 6; Dan. 9:4 j Ph. 4:6
Q. 106. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
A. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; (k) but the special rule of direction is that prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commo