Q94. What is baptism?
Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Matthew 28:19
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
Romans 6:4
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Galatians 3:27
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Commentary — Thomas Vincent (1674)
Question 1. What is the outward sign or element in baptism?
Answer. The outward sign and element in baptism, is water, and that pure water: so that the addition hereunto of oyl, salt, and spittle, by the Papists in baptism is an abominable profanation of the ordinance, Acts 10:27. "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be" baptized? Heb. 10:22. "Our bodies washed with pure water"
Question 2. What is the thing signified by water in baptism?