Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

178 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEthan in the Old, the seed of the faithful, born within the church, have, byvirtue of their birth, an interest in the covenant and a right to the seal of itand to the outward privileges of the church. For the covenant of grace is thesame in substance under both administrations, and the grace of God for theconsolation of believers is even more fully revealed in the New Testamentera. Moreover, our Savior admitted little children into His presence,embracing and blessing them, and saying, 'Of such is the kingdom of God'(Mk. 10:14). So the children of the covenant are by baptism distinguishedfrom the world and solemnly received into the visible church. They arebaptized because they are already, by birth, children of the covenant in theline of the generations of the people of God and members of the covenantcommunity, the church."When an adult is to be baptized, the minister shall give instruction as to thedistinctive basis of adult baptism:"Although the children of believers are to be baptized as members of thecovenant, the baptism of adults must await their own profession of faith inChrist. Having come to years of discretion, they become the heirs ofsalvation and are admitted as members of the visible church by way ofpersonal belief in Christ as Savior and Lord. So our Lord Jesus Christcommanded His church to 'make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit' (Matt.28:20)."The minister is also to admonish the congregation to look back to their ownbaptism; to repent of their sins against their covenant with God; to stir uptheir faith; to improve and make the right use of their baptism and of thecovenant which it sealed between God and their souls.4.2 The parents of the child presented for baptism reaffirm the Covenantof Church Membership for themselves and assent to the Covenant of Baptismin relation to their child. If one believing parent is not a member of theReformed Presbyterian Church, he or she may come forward with the onewho is a member and may give assent to the Covenant of Baptism so far ashe or she is willing. If one of the parents is not a professing Christian, thatparent is encouraged to be present and to accompany the believing parent inpresenting the child, but should not be expected or encouraged to give assentto this Covenant.Christian parents, members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, mayreaffirm their Covenant of Church Membership by assenting to the followingquestion:"Do you publicly renew your profession of faith in Christand acknowledge your acceptance of the Covenant of ChurchMembership?"