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GENERAL ASSEMBLY
2001
Panel on Doctrine
Report
Baptism
Page 1
Remit
Our remit as determined by the General Assembly in 1996 was as follows: "to
re-examine the whole issue of Baptism and, in particular, the practice of
Infant Baptism." It should be noted that in our response to this remit biblical
quotations are in general taken from the NIV except where otherwise stated.
INTRODUCTION
The Panel was
aware from its very first meeting that it had been given a challenging remit,
which carried with it a weighty responsibility. The more we pursued our remit
and examined the subject of baptism the more we came to appreciate how challenging
the remit was.
Baptism is a live issue and for various
reasons. There are ever-improving relationships between churches across denominational
barriers resulting in ever-increasing interaction and activity at local level,
including discussion of those issues which separate us as well as the overriding
commitments which unite us. There is the presence of a new generation ofyoung
people seeking a solid foundation for all that it believes and practises.
Baptism is, therefore, a live issue not only for theologians and ministers
but also for people in the pew. Not surprisingly many are seeking a better
understanding of both the practice of baptism and the theology behind the
practice. One practical matter in this search for a better understandings
the question of where to begin. Some have begun their search with the origins
of the rite of water baptism, some with the practice of baptism as we have
it in the Acts of the Apostles, some with the development of baptism within
the post New Testament Church. Some have begun with the Great Commissionof
Jesus as it appears in Matthew's Gospel, and still others with the ideaof
Covenant, a major feature of Reformed theology including Scottish theology.
James Walker has observed that "the old theology of Scotland might be emphatically
described as a covenant theology"
The Theology and Theologians of Scotland, Edinburgh 1888,p
73.. All of these approaches have their
advantages and disadvantages.
In compiling our report for the General
Assembly we too had to decide where to begin. "Where shall I begin?" asked
the White Rabbit. The answer of the King of Hearts was appropriately grave,
"Begin at the beginning." The advice is sound. But where is the beginning?
1. Introduction
2. Institution of Baptism
3. Origins of Water Baptism
4. The Baptism of Children: Old Testament Evidence
5. The Baptism of Children: New Testament Evidence
6. The Baptism of Children: Extra Biblical Evidence
7. The Proper Subjects of Baptism
8. The Mode of Baptism
9. The Way Forward
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