Page:Short illustration of the commission given by Jesus Christ to his apostles.pdf/5

 Now there was no need for, or , in order to pour or sprinkle a little of it on the face.

We shall now briefly enquire to whom this ordinance is to be administered. That only believers of the gospel are the proper subjects of baptism, appears evident from the words of the commission given to the apostles: There you will notice, that precedes baptism; and in the parallel passage, it is preceded by believing.

But if there were any ambiguity in the tenor of the Commission, it is amply cleared up by the subsequent practice of the apostles; which we find to be in perfect conformity to this law — Peter began to preach the gospel to the Jews, on the day of Pentecost, and none but they “who gladly received his word were baptized. -Philip preached the gospel to the Samaritans, and it was not till "they believed the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus," that they were baptized, “both men and women.” See also the instances recorded in Acts ii. 37. x. 47. xvi. 5. and 33.

Such is the plain and concise account which the New Testament presents to us respecting the and  of this christian ordinance; and to a mind unprepossessed by the general practice, unfettered by human authority, and able to read the Scriptures without bias or prejudice, it cannot but appear strange, that