HenryWSC 95

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 95

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Are Jews and Pagans to be baptized upon their believing? Yes: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest,
Acts 8:31
. Will their justifiable profession warrant the administering of baptism to them? Yes: Simon Magus himself believed also and was baptized,
Acts 8:13
.
Are the children of believing parents to be baptized in their infancy? Yes: for a seed shall serve him, it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation,
Ps. 22:30
. Is it possible that they may be in covenant with God? Yes: For you have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,
John 15:16
. Is it probable they should be in covenant? Yes: For when Israel was a child, then I loved him,
Hos. 11:1
. Is it certain they were in covenant? Yes: I will be a God to thee, and to thy seed,
Gen. 17:7
. Is it therefore certain they are in covenant? Yes: for the blessing of Abraham comes upon the Gentiles,
Gal. 3:14
. Does the seal of the covenant therefore belong to them? Yes: Every man-child among you shall be circumcised,
Gen. 17:10
.
Are the children of Christians members of Christ’s visible church? Yes: for of such is the kingdom of God,
Mark 10:14
. Do the promises belong to them? Yes: the promise is to you and to your children,
Acts 2:39
. Does the promise of the Spirit belong to them? Yes: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed,
Isa. 44:3
. Are they capable of receiving it? Yes: John was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb,
Luke 1:15
. Are they then to be baptized? Yes: For who can forbid water to them which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Acts 10:47
.
Are the children of believers federally holy? Yes: Else were your children unclean, but now are they holy,
1 Cor. 7:14
. Are they so in their parents’ right? Yes: if the root be holy, so are the branches,
Rom. 11:16
. Are they disciples? Yes: for the yoke of circumcision was put upon the neck of the disciples,
Acts 15:1
,
Acts 15:10
. Are they to be received in Christ’s name? Yes: Whosoever receiveth one such little child in my name, receiveth me,
Matt. 18:5
. Are they born unto God? Yes: Thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast born unto me,
Ezek. 16:20
. Are they bound by relation to be his servants? Yes: I am thy servant the son of thine handmaid,
Ps. 116:16
. Ought they then to be presented to him? Yes: The first-born of thy sons shalt thou give unto me,
Ex. 22:29
.
Do children need to be cleansed from the pollutions of sin? Yes: for they are shapen in iniquity,
Ps. 51:5
. Is there provision made for their cleansing? Yes: for there is a fountain opened to the house of David,
Zech. 13:1
.
Are the nations to be discipled by baptism? Yes: Go ye and disciple all nations, baptizing them,
Matt. 28:19
. Are children a part of the nations? Yes: Your little ones stand here this day, to enter into covenant with God,
Deut. 29:11–12
. And has Christ excepted them? No: Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not,
Matt. 19:14
. Were the families of believers baptized by the apostles? Yes: Lydia was baptized, and her household,
Acts 16:15
. Did Christ himself receive the seal of the covenant in his infancy? Yes: When he was eight days old he was circumcised,
Luke 2:21
.
Is infant baptism useful for preserving the church? Yes: That our children may not cease from fearing the Lord,
Josh. 22:25
. Was it a great mercy to you that you were baptized? Yes: For we are the children of the covenant,
Acts 3:25
.
Must we be careful to improve our baptism? Yes: Be ye mindful always of his covenant,
1 Chron. 16:15
. Is it a good argument against sin? Yes: How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?
Rom. 6:2
. And for holiness? Yes: for we also should walk in newness of life,
Rom. 6:4
. Is it a great encouragement to faith? Yes: Thou art my God from my mother’s belly,
Ps. 22:10
. Is it a good plea in prayer? Yes: Save the son of thy handmaid,
Ps. 86:16
. Is it a strong inducement to brotherly love? Yes: for we all are baptized into one body,
1 Cor. 12:13
.
HenryWSC 95