Chapter 52—Baptism
The ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are two mon-
umental pillars, one without and one within the church. Upon these
ordinances Christ has inscribed the name of the true God.
Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual king-
dom. He has made this a positive condition with which all must comply
who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before man can find a home in the church,
before passing the threshold of God’s spiritual kingdom, he is to re-
ceive the impress of the divine name, “The Lord Our Righteousness.”
Jeremiah 23:6
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Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those who
are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that
they have forsaken the service of Satan and have become members of
the royal family, children of the heavenly King. They have obeyed the
command: “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, ... and
touch not the unclean thing.” And to them is fulfilled the promise: “I
will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My
sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:17, 18
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The vows which we take upon ourselves in baptism embrace much.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we are buried
in the likeness of Christ’s death and raised in the likeness of His
resurrection, and we are to live a new life. Our life is to be bound up
with the life of Christ. Henceforth the believer is to bear in mind that
he is dedicated to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit. He is to make
all worldly considerations secondary to this new relation. Publicly he
has declared that he will no longer live in pride and self-indulgence.
He is no longer to live a careless, indifferent life. He has made a
covenant with God. He has died to the world. He is to live to the Lord,
to use for Him all his entrusted capabilities, never losing the realization
that he bears God’s signature, that he is a subject of Christ’s kingdom,
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