BAPTISM NO. 4

BAPTISM NO. 4

As to “holy” and “unclean” in 1 Corinthians 7: 14, the offspring of Israel (see Ezra) were unclean if they were the fruit of a mixed marriage (Jew and Gentile). Now the children of a believer and unbeliever are not unclean, but holy. There is this great contrast through the death of Christ. The children of a believer are now holy, though either parent be an unbeliever. “Holy” means simply that they are God’s property, acknowledged by Him. He has a title to them, like a lamb given to the priest, it was “holy to the Lord”, and could not be taken back. It was handed over to the Lord. Thus the children of believers are holy, they are entitled to the place of privilege, but as it is through the death of Christ, they must in baptism, the figure of His death, submit to the claims of Christ. The believer is entitled to the house of God by faith, and thereon he submits to baptism; hence ^[p. 57] he places his children in the death of Christ, and submits that they should take the name of Christ in baptism as the only door to it. I hope this is clear to you.