Moreover, the Conditions Required In

In order to receive baptism in a worthy and true manner, there must be sorrow and repentance for sins, together with a confession of them. In Matthew 3, verse 6, we read: "And were baptized by him in Jordan, confessing their sins."

Besides this, it is required that we bear good fruits. "Therefore bring forth," says John to those who desired to be baptized, "fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3, verse 8); or, according to Biestken's translation: "Do genuine fruits of repentance."

In Mark 16, verse 16, it is also required that we believe, indeed, that we believe with the heart. Acts 8, verse 37.

In short, repentance or conversion and baptism are joined together, Matthew 3, verses 6 and 11; and so are teaching, believing, and baptizing, Mark 16, verses 15 and 16. Confession and baptism went hand in hand with the Ethiopian, Acts 8, verse 37. Baptism is a burying of the old man, and a sign of resurrection into a new life, Romans 6, verses 3 and 4; a putting on of Christ, Galatians 3, verse 27; and the answer of a good conscience toward God. First Peter 3, verse 21.

These and other conditions required in baptism cannot exist in infants, who know neither good nor evil, cannot tell the right hand from the left hand, and do as children do, Deuteronomy 1, verse 39; John 4, verse 11; First Corinthians 13, verse 11. [n94-5]

We might bring forward much more here, but since it is not our purpose to dispute this point, but simply to show from the plain testimonies of the holy evangelists and apostles that baptism was administered in the first century only to adult (that is, penitent and believing) persons, we will leave this subject and go on to give an account of those who, according to history, have upheld this doctrine either by word or by deed.