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ON WHAT DOES ITS VALIDITY DEPEND ?

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 6, 1870

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 36, No. 12.

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ON WHAT DOES ITS VALIDITY DEPEND ?

By R. F. Cotterell

Baptism.

ON WHAT DOES ITS VALIDITY DEPEND ?

ALEX. CAMPBELL, in his debate with the Roman Bishop, Purcell, thus states the opposing principles of the Catholic and the Protestant churches:
“It is a doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, that the ‘intention’ of the priest, in every act of worship and consecration, is essential to the validity of that act.”
“Every Protestant feels the most perfect certainty in submitting to the ordinances of religion. The Protestant minister knows and teaches that the ordinance receives no saving or salutary efficacy from his intentions, or his hands. Persons, who in faith and piety receive them, know that they receive all the efficacy of the ordinance, independent of any special virtue in him that does administer them.” Debate, p. 275.
It is reasonable that the validity of baptism depends on the condition and intention of the candidate—his enlightenment, his repentance, his faith, and heart obedience. His acceptance with God depends upon these conditions. He cannot be certain that the administrator will not apostatize, or even that he is right before God at the time. Of course no true believer would knowingly submit to receive the ordinance from polluted hands; but should after developments prove that the administrator was a Judas, it could not change the heart obedience of the receiver, and make it unacceptable in the sight of God. R. F. COTTERELL.