Plain-language reading guide
READING HELP
Read this chapter alongside the Confession chapter on the same subject. The Testimony states what the church teaches, applies that teaching, and identifies views it rejects. Read each statement with its Scripture proofs and the surrounding paragraphs.
To find explicit rejections in this chapter, go to point 3, point 8. Read each full point to see exactly which teaching is rejected.
This reading guide is separate from the official text below.
Read the official text, or choose a simpler explanation to explore together.
Westminster Confession
1. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church; but also, to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life. Which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world.
Scripture proofs: Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 4:11 with Col. 2:11-12; Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:5; Titus 3:5; Mark 1:4; Rom. 6:3-4; Matt. 28:19-20.
2. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the Gospel, lawfully called thereunto.
Scripture proofs: Matt. 3:11; John 1:33; Matt. 28:19-20.
3. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but Baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person.
Scripture proofs: Heb. 9:10, 19-22; Acts 2:41; Acts 16: 33; Mark 7:4.
4. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one or both believing parents, are to be baptized.
Scripture proofs: Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:37-38; Gen. 17: 7, 9-10 with Gal. 3:9, 14, and Col. 2: 11-12, and Acts 2:38-39, and Rom. 4: 11-12; 1 Cor. 7:14; Matt. 28:19; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15.
5. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it; or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.
Scripture proofs: Luke 7:30 with Ex. 4:24-26; Rom. 4: 11; Acts 10:2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47; Acts 8:13, 23.
6. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; yet notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God’s own will in His appointed time.
Scripture proofs: John 3:5, 8; Gal. 3:27; Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:25-26; Acts 2:38, 41.
7. The sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered unto any person.
Scripture proofs: Titus 3:5.
Words to know
- Baptism
- The sacrament using water in the triune name to mark entry into the visible church and point to Christ’s cleansing and covenant grace.
- Immersion
- Dipping a person completely under water.
WCF 28.1 · What baptism shows
Baptism brings a person formally into the visible church. It is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, union with Christ, new life, forgiveness, and dedication to obey God through Jesus. Christ commands the church to keep baptizing until the world’s end. The sign points to his promise rather than automatically making everyone who receives it saved.
Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 4:11.
What does baptism call the baptized person to remember and live out?
WCF 28.2 · Water and the triune name
A properly called gospel minister baptizes with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The water is the outward element Christ appointed. Baptism identifies us with the one triune God rather than with a minister or a human organization.
Matthew 3:11; John 1:33; Matthew 28:19-20.
Whose name is used in baptism?
WCF 28.3 · Immersion is not required
A person does not have to be dipped completely under water for baptism to be valid. Pouring or sprinkling water is also a right way to administer it. The amount or method of applying water does not create its saving meaning.
Hebrews 9:10; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:33.
Does being completely underwater make a baptism more powerful?
WCF 28.4 · Believers and their children
People who profess faith in Christ and obedience to him should be baptized. So should infants with one or both parents who believe. The Confession includes believers’ children within this covenant sign, even before they can make their own profession.
Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:37-38; Genesis 17:7.
Why does the church baptize children of believing parents?
WCF 28.5 · Important, but not automatic salvation
Despising or neglecting baptism is a serious sin. Yet someone can receive new life and salvation without baptism, and not everyone who is baptized has received new life. The outward sign and the Spirit’s inward saving work must not be confused.
Luke 7:30; Exodus 4:24-26; Romans 4:11.
Does receiving the sign always mean receiving the thing it points to?
WCF 28.6 · God’s promise and his timing
The Spirit’s saving work is not tied to the exact moment water is applied. In the right use of baptism, the grace promised is truly offered and given by the Spirit to those to whom it belongs, whether adults or infants, at God’s chosen time. We should trust his promise and work rather than think the water acts mechanically.
John 3:5; Galatians 3:27; Titus 3:5.
Does God have to work at the exact moment someone is baptized?
WCF 28.7 · Baptism is given once
Baptism should be administered only once to a person. It marks entrance into the visible church and is not repeated whenever faith grows, someone changes congregations, or they need to repent. God’s covenant sign is not a reward for reaching a new spiritual level.
Titus 3:5.
Why is growing in faith not a reason to repeat baptism?
1. All those who have received baptism are to be considered part of the covenant people of God. Gen. 17:12-14; Col. 2:11-12; Acts 16: 31-34.
2. The church accepts as valid the baptism which has been administered in any true branch of the visible church.
3. We reject the teaching that an essential feature of baptism is immersion. 1 Cor. 10:2; Heb. 6:2; Heb. 9:10; Luke 11:38.
4. The children of believing parents are to receive baptism because of their covenantal relationship. Acts 2:38-39; Gen. 17:7; Acts 16:31; Col. 2:11-12.
5. In administering baptism to her children the church recognizes their rightful place within the covenant, and her obligation to give them pastoral care and oversight, and to assist the parents in carrying out their covenanted responsibilities. In presenting them for baptism, parents not only claim for their children the nurture and benefits of the Church, but dedicate them to God in the service of Christ.
6. The baptism of infants sets before parents the obligation to do all in their power to lead their children to a personal faith in Jesus Christ. Gen. 18:19; Matt. 28:19-20; Prov. 22:6.
7. Baptism is not to be administered to the infants of persons who, though members of the church, have so neglected the means of grace as to cast doubt on their profession, or their intention to fulfill the baptismal vows. Ps. 76:11.
8. We reject the teaching that a person cannot be saved without baptism; or that persons are regenerated by baptism. Luke 23:39-43; Acts 8:13, 18-23; Acts 10:47.
Words to know
- Baptism
- The sacrament using water in the triune name to mark entry into the visible church and point to Christ’s cleansing and covenant grace.
- Immersion
- Dipping a person completely under water.
- Covenant
- A relationship God establishes with promises and responsibilities.
- Rejects
- Says that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.
Testimony 28.1
Those who are baptized belong to God’s covenant people. This describes covenant membership, rather than claiming that baptism automatically saves them.
Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 28.2
The church recognizes valid baptism administered in any true branch of Christ’s visible church.
Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 28.3
The Testimony rejects requiring immersion as the only valid way to baptize.
Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 28.4
Children of believing parents should be baptized because they belong within the covenant relationship.
Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 28.5
Baptizing children recognizes their place in the covenant and the church’s duty to care for them. Parents dedicate them to Christ and claim the church’s help in raising them.
Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 28.6
Infant baptism places a responsibility on parents to lead their children toward personal faith in Christ.
Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 28.7
Being a church member does not automatically give parents the right to have a baby baptized. If parents seriously neglect church life, the elders may question whether they believe and intend to keep their baptism promises.
Read original point 7 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 28.8
The Testimony rejects both the claim that no one can be saved without baptism and the claim that baptism itself gives new spiritual life.
Read original point 8 and its Scripture proofs →Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-94, A-95, A-96.