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 We
present the fifth in a series of quotes from “Christ’s
Commission to His Apostles” by Archibald McLean; 1786. This
Scotch Baptist preacher preceded the Campbells and may have
furnished grist for “restoration thinking. These historic
quotes do not imply unlimited endorsement, but we find the
material worth reading. This is the second part of his study on
“Import and Design of Baptism.”
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“2.
It represents to the repenting believer the remission or washing
away of his sins in the blood of Christ. Accordingly, Peter
exhorts the convicted Jews, “Repent, and be baptized every one
of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins.”
Ananias, in his address to Paul, expresses this still stronger:
“And now, why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash
away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 2:38;
22:16)
This
manner of speaking will appear very extravagant to many
now-a-days, who look upon baptism as a mere empty rite, or
arbitrary precept. To be baptized for the remission or washing
away of sins plainly imports that in baptism the remission of
sins is represented as really conferred upon the believer. The
gospel promise in general is, “that through Christ’s name
whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.”
Baptism applies this promise, and represents its actual
accomplishment to an individual believer; assuring him that all
his past sins are now as really washed away in the blood of
Christ, as his body is washed in water …
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Baptism
also represents the washing away of the filth or pollution or
sin, both from the heart and future life of a Christian. Hence
the apostle connects with it the “putting off the body of the
sins of the flesh;” the destruction of the body of sin, that
henceforth we should not serve it. (Col. 2:11 Rom. 6:6) That
baptism imports this twofold cleansing is clear from Eph.
5:25-26: “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for
it, that he might sanctify it…. having cleansed it in the
laver of water by the word, that he might present it to himself
a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such
thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Three
things are here mentioned in sanctifying and cleansing the
church. (1.) Christ’s giving himself for her, that he might
sanctify or cleanse her… by his own blood (Heb. 10:10; 13:12).
(2.) This twofold cleansing here said to be in the laver of
water, i.e., in baptism; because it is outward sign of it,
whereby it is visibly represented as actually taking place upon
the believer. (3) Lastly, this sanctification or cleansing of
the church is also by the i.e., the word of truth of the gospel…
To be sanctified by the word, through the truth, is the same as
to be sanctified by the Spirit; for Holy Spirit is the Spirit of
truth, and exerts his enlightening and sanctifying influence,
not separate from, but by means of the truth. Hence the same
effects are ascribed sometimes to the word, and at other times
to the Spirit, though both must always be understood.”
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