Biblical Doctrine of Infant Baptism

Pierre-Charles Marcel (30.05.1910-27.01.1992) was a Pastor of the French Reformed Church, Editor-in-Chief of La Revue Reformee and Vice-President of the Calvinist Society of France. He lectured regularly in the Free Faculty of Theology in the University of Paris. Publications: A l'ecole de Dieu, 1946 The biblical doctrine of infant baptism, 1953 Face a la critique, 1986 Souffrir, mais pour quoi?, 1994

• Contents: AUTHOR'S FOREWORD TRANSLATOR'S FOREWORD INTRODUCTION FIRST PART GENERAL STUDY OF THE SACRAMENTS I. THE MEANING OF THE TERM II. THE RELATION BETWEEN THE WORD AND THE SACRAMENTS THE CONSTITUTIVE ELEMENTS OF THE SACRAMENTS A. Priority of the Word B. Points of Resemblance between the Word and the Sacraments C. The Efficacy of the Sacraments D. Points of Dissimilarity between the Word and the Sacraments SECOND PART THE COVENANT OF GRACE Preliminary Remarks I. THE OBJECTIVE ASPECTS OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE A. The Covenant in History B. The Promises and Characteristics of the Covenant C. The Sacraments of the Covenant: Comparison of the Sacraments of the Old and New Testaments D. The Church in the Covenant II. THE SUBJECTIVE, INDIVIDUAL, AND ECCLESIASTICAL ASPECTS OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE COVENANT: A. To Whom is the Covenant of Grace Offered? B. The Covenant of Grace, Place of Vocation and Election C. The Children of the Covenant D. Children in the Church E. The Unconverted in the Covenant and in the Church THIRD PART BAPTISM: SACRAMENT OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE Preliminary Remarks I. THE BAPTISM OF ADULTS AND PROSELYTES WHAT IS THE MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE FOR ADULTS OF THE BAPTISM THEY HAVE RECEIVED? A. Baptism as a Sign and Seal B. Baptism as a Means of Grace C. The Necessity of Baptism D. The Subjective Aspects of Baptism E. On What Conditions can Baptism be Administered to Adults? II. THE BAPTISM OF CHILDREN A. The Silence of the New Testament B. The Children of Believers are born within the Covenant of Grace C. The Covenant is the Sole Basis of Infant Baptism D. The Objectivity of Infant Baptism E. Children are Legitimately Baptized, without Faith or Repentance because they belong to the Covenant F. How do Doctrine and Faith Precede Baptism? G. Baptism and Regeneration H. Baptism a Means of Grace for the Child I. Responsibility of Church, Parents, and Children CONCLUSION