Of Baptism

Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The Baptism of young children is to be retained in the Church.

XXVII. Of Baptism.

Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened, but it is also a sign of Regeneration or New-Birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of the forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed, Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God.

The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.

The change from Christian men to Christians is simply to be more gender-neutral. In the Episcopal formulation baptism (even of infants) is considered a sign of entry into the Church. The Episcopal version also equates baptism with christening, the latter referring to the naming ceremony.

There is some doubt whether infant baptism is most agreeable with the institution of Christ or simply an accepted practice. I cannot accept the position that baptism of young children, where the parents or sponsors profess faith on their behalf, is a sign of regeneration or the new birth. Such a stance is inconsistent with the Article on Justification by Faith. We cannot have faith for another. They must have their own faith.

It is really a way to appease nervous parents that their unbaptized infant will not go to hell, which is likely the reason it is retained. I prefer the christening of infants without baptism, whereby the parents profess their faith and promise to raise the child in the church. When the child has reached an age of maturity sufficient to profess their own faith, they may be baptized in recognition of their new birth.