---
title: "Question 166: Unto whom is Baptism to be administered? | Westminster Larger Catechism"
description: "Westminster Larger Catechism, question 166: Unto whom is Baptism to be administered? Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible Church, and so strangers from the covenant of promise, t"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-166-unto-whom-is-baptism-to-be-administered/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=150"
---

# Question 166: Unto whom is Baptism to be administered? | Westminster Larger Catechism

Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible Church, and so strangers from the covenant of promise, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but infants descended from parents, either both or but one of them professing faith in Christ, and obedience to him, are in that respect, within the covenant, and to be baptized.

Scripture proofs: Acts 8:36-37; Acts 2:38; Gen. 17:7, 9; Gal. 3:9, 14; Col. 2:11-12; Acts 2:38-39; Rom. 4:11-12; 1 Cor. 7:14; Matt. 28:19; Luke 18:15-16; Rom. 11:16.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=150)

## Related reading

- [Baptism and the children of believers](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/baptism/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 27: Of the Sacraments](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-27-sacraments/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 91: How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-91-how-do-the-sacraments-become-effectual-means-of-salvation/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 161: How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-161-how-do-the-sacraments-become-effectual-means-of-salvation/)
- [Question 165](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-165-what-is-baptism/)
- [Question 167](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-167-how-is-baptism-to-be-improved-by-us/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-166-unto-whom-is-baptism-to-be-administered/