What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?

The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are His ordinances, especially the word, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer; all which means are made effectual to the elect for salvation

Matt. 28:19–20; Acts 2:42, 46–47

How is the word made effectual to salvation?

The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching, of the Word an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation

Psa. 19:8; Neh. 8:8; Acts 20:32; 26:18; Rom. 1:16, 10:13–17; 15:4; 1 Cor. 14:24–25; 1 Tim. 3:15–16

How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to salvation?

That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, (Prov. 8:34) preparation, (1 Pet. 2:1–2), and prayer; (Psa. 119:18) receive it with faith and love, (Heb. 4:2; 2 Thess. 2:10) lay it up in our hearts, (Psa. 119:11), and practice it in our lives

Luke 8:15; James 1:25

How do baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effectual means of salvation?

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effectual means of salvation, not for any virtue in them, or in him that does administer them, but only by the blessing of Christ, (Matt. 3:11; 1 Cor. 3:6–7; 1 Pet. 3:21) and the working of the Spirit in those that by faith receive them

Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:3

What is baptism?

Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament instituted by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized a sign of his fellowship with Him, in His death, burial, and resurrection; of his being ingrafted into Him; (Rom. 6:3–5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27) of remission of sins (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; 22:16); and of his giving up himself unto God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life

Rom. 6:3–4

To whom is baptism to be administered?

Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other

Matt. 3:6; 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37–38; 8:36–38

Are the infants of such as are professing believers to be baptized?

The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptized, because there is neither command or example in the Holy Scriptures, or certain consequence from them to baptize such

How is Baptism rightly administered?

Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the party in water, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, according to Christ’s institution and the practice of the apostles (Matt. 3:16; 28:19–20; John 3:23; Acts 8:38; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12) and not by sprinkling or pouring of water, or dipping some part of the body, after the tradition of men

What is the duty of such who are rightly baptized?

It is the duty of such who are rightly baptized to give up themselves to some particular and orderly church of Jesus Christ, that they may walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless

Luke 1:6; Acts 2:41–42; 5:13–14; 9:26; 1 Pet. 2:5

What is the Lord’s Supper?

The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ, wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to His appointment, His death is shown forth, and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of His body and blood, with all His benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace

Matt. 26:26–28; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23–26

Who are the proper subjects of this ordinance?

They who have been baptized upon a personal profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance from dead works

Acts 2:41–42

What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper?

It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, (1 Cor. 11:28–29) of their faith to feed upon Him, (2 Cor. 13:5) of their repentance, (1 Cor. 11:31) love, (1 Cor. 10:16–17) and new obedience, (1 Cor. 5:7–8) lest coming unworthily they eat and drink judgment to themselves

1 Cor. 11:28–29

What is prayer?

Prayer is an offering up our desires to God, (Psa. 62:8) by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, (Rom. 8:26) for things agreeable to His will, (1 John 5:14; Rom. 8:27) in the name of Christ, (John 16:23) believing, (Matt. 21:22; James 1:6) with confession of our sins, (Psa. 32:5–6; Dan. 9:4) and thankful acknowledgments of His mercies

Phil. 4:6