Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 15:60 (Oct 1858)
Article: Baptism A Symbol Of The Commencement Of The New Life
Author: H. L. Wayland

BSac 15:60 (Oct 1858) p. 744

Baptism A Symbol Of The Commencement Of The New Life

H. L. Wayland

The January number of this periodical contained a very interesting Article, upon “Baptism a Consecratory Rite.” The remarks which follow are designed to illustrate the view, that baptism is rather an initiatory rite — is intended to symbolize the commencement of the new Christian life.

In conversion, the soul passes through a change miraculous in its origin, marked in its character, and momentous in its results. The man is changed in his relations to God and to his law. Formerly he was the object of deserved condemnation; now he meets with the benignant smile of his Heavenly Father, and with the full approval of his law. He is changed as to his central motive and leading principle. Formerly he sought his own interests with supreme regard, while the will of God was matter of entire indifference to him. Now it is his supreme desire to please God, and he is regardless of his own interests. This is the theory of conversion, and only as it bears this character has it attained its divine ideal. Corresponding to this inward.

BSac 15:60 (Oct 1858) p. 745

subjective change, is one objective and outward. The man leads henceforth a new life. New enjoyments and avocations now engage him, while from those which formerly engrossed him, he turns away with repugnance. Instead of a life of pride, self-indulgence and ungodliness, he leads now a life of prayerfulness, humility, self-denial, and holiness. Resulting from all this change in his relations, in his inward and outward life, is a change in his destiny. Formerly he was tending to an eternity of remorse and woe; now to endless bliss and glory.

The Scriptures show their estimate of the magnitude of this change by designating it as a “new birth,” a “new creation,” a “resurrection,” etc. It is natural that an event so important should have its appropriate celebration. The new relations which the man holds should be suitably impressed on himself and attested to others. Our sense of the solemnity of new obligations is deepened when these are assumed publicly and with a proper ceremonial. Shall well nigh every change of human relations be appropriately celebrated, and this change alone, transcending all others in importance, affecting our relations to God and our fellow men, want its symbolic rite? Shall the servant of a foreign potentate openly and with fitting solemnity renounce his former allegiance, and assume the duties, and claim the privileges of a new citizenship, and shall not he, who, once a servant of Satan and of the world, an alien from the commonwealth of Israel, becomes now a fellow citizen of the saints? The convert has become one of a royal priesthood; let him have his investiture; he ha...