the doctrine of baptism/chapter 1

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THE

Doctrine of Baptism,

AND THE

Distinction of the COVENANTS;

A Plain Christian Treatise, explaining
the Doctrine of Baptism, and the two
Covenants made with Abraham, and
his two-fold Seed.

The Extraordinary Work of the Apostles Explained

ACTS 2: 37, 38

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter and the rest of the Apostles, Men and Brethren what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the Remission of Sins, and you shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Occasion Of The Words In The Text Laid Open.

These words of my Text have a special dependence upon the words foregoing in the chapter; for in the beginning of the chapter you shall find that the Apostles and the Church were all with one accord in one place, when the Day of Pentecost was fully come. According to the promise that Jesus Christ commanded them to wait for, and that John had foretold of, "That one should come after him, that should baptize with the Holy Ghost, and with fire," which was at this time fulfilled. As the Author of the Acts here relates, "Suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a Rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the House where they were sitting, and it sate upon each of them, And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other Tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."

This Fulfilled John's Prophecy

Now this I understand to be the Baptism which John speaks of viz. that of the Holy Ghost, and of fire, which Christ should dispense. As you may see, this was extraordinary and upon special occasion communicated to the Apostles, they being now to give testimony of Christ's Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

These Were Extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Lord in order to this work communicates to them the extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Ghost in an extraordinary manner. For here were outward signs which were cloven tongues of fire resting on them. Here was also the Holy Ghost with the extraordinary effects of this baptism as the inward things signified by the outward sign. All this was (I understand) extraordinary for the fitting of these Apostles to that extraordinary work which God had them to do.

The Reasons Why the Holy Ghost Descended in an Extraordinary Manner Upon the Apostles.

First, they were to be eye-witnesses of Christ's Majesty in the flesh.

Secondly, they were to be Master-builders, to lay a Foundation which all after-Ministers, to the end of the World, are to build on, they being Penners of Scripture.

Thirdly, they were now to overthrow all the Jewish Worship and all the Mosaic Administrations put to an end by Christ's Death.

Christ Furnished the Apostles with Extraordinary Gifts to Accomplish this Work

To furnish them to this extraordinary work Christ, as an effect of His Session at the right hand of God, pours down these gifts upon them as before mentioned. This speaking with other tongues being noised abroad, the multitude came together, wondering at them. Some thought they had been drunk, but Peter standing up with the eleven began to lift up his voice to teach them.

The Contents of Peter's Sermon To The Jews Upon The Descent of The Holy Ghost.

Peter proves by Scripture that these gifts of the Holy Ghost now given to them were formerly promised by the Lord as an effect of his Ascension. In this Sermon preached he endeavors to prove:

First, Jesus was the Christ, a man approved of God by Miracles and Signs. God did work by Him amongst them.

Secondly, that He did suffer and die according to the Counsel and Will of God.

Thirdly, that He did rise again from the Dead, which he does justify from Scripture.

Fourthly, God had exalted Him by his right hand to be both Lord and Christ. He proves that by the visible gifts of the Holy Ghost which they did see and hear. Lest they should not understand Who he meant, he tells them in the verse before my Text, "That it was that same Jesus which they had crucified, that God had made Lord and Christ."

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and Brethren, what shall we do?"

The Benefits of Preaching the Gospel.

Whence observe from the text, that preaching, and hearing the Gospel preached, is a special means to convert Souls. This appears when Peter preached and clearly held forth that He whom they had crucified and slain was now to be Lord and Judge. He had been exalted to that Dignity by God the Father. When they heard this, they were pricked in their Hearts.

What is the Beginning of True Conversion.

In the second place, we may observe from hence that true conversion begins with a prick in the heart.

Thirdly, they, when wrought upon and pricked in their hearts, said to Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, "Men and Brethren what shall we do?"

How They Who Begin to Receive the Saving Light, Are Affected Both Towards It And Them Who Hold It Forth.

Whence in the third place observe that it is the disposition of such who have the beginning of saving light, to desire more, and that from those whom God hath spoken to their Souls by.

Obedience Accompanies True Conversion.

Fourthly, that which they do earnestly inquire after is, what shall we do? This respects obedience. They, believing Christ to be a Lord as well as a Savior, know that He must be submitted to and therefore they said, "What shall we do?"

Whence we observe, that a true converted soul is an obedient Soul.

All called to Repentance by the Gospel.

In verse 38 Peter answered them is in these words, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you." From whence we do observe further that where the Gospel is preached, all men are called to repent.

Whosoever Believes And Repents Ought To Be Baptized.

Lastly, that it is the duty of every man that believes and repents, to be baptized.

Now this last observation of the text is that which I shall to speak at present for the satisfaction of such Souls who may be doubtful of this truth and for the confirming of such souls as do already believe it.

INTRODUCTION

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