Biblical Doctrine of Infant Baptism

Pierre-Charles Marcel 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.

• Author’s ForewordTranslator’s ForewordIntroductionFirst Part: General Study of the SacramentsI. The Meaning of the TermII. The Relation Between the Word and the SacramentsThe Constitutive Elements of the SacramentsA. Priority of the WordB. Points of Resemblance between the Word and the SacramentsC. The Efficacy of the SacramentsD. Points of Dissimilarity between the Word and the SacramentsSecond Part: The Covenant of GraceI. The Objective Aspects of the Covenant of GraceA. The Covenant in HistoryB. The Promises and Characteristics of the CovenantC. The Sacraments of the Covenant: Comparison of the Sacraments of the Old and New TestamentsD. The Church in the CovenantII. The Subjective, Individual and Ecclesiastical Aspects of the Covenant of GraceThe Beneficiaries of the CovenantA. To Whom is the Covenant of Grace Offered?B. The Covenant of Grace, Place of Vocation and ElectionC. The Children of the CovenantD. Children of the ChurchE. The Unconverted in the Covenant and in the ChurchThird Part: Baptism: Sacrament of the Covenant of GraceI. The Baptism of Adults and ProselytesWhat is the Meaning and Significance for Adults of the Baptism They Have Received?A. Baptism as a Sign and SealB. Baptism as a Means of GraceC. The Necessity of BaptismD. The Subjective Aspects of BaptismE. On What Conditions can Baptism be Administered to Adults?II. The Baptism of ChildrenA. The Silence of the New TestamentB. The Children of Believers are Born within the Covenant of GraceC. The Covenant is the Sole Basis of Infant BaptismD. The Objectivity of Infant BaptismE. Children are Legitimately Baptized, without Faith or Repentance because they belong to the CovenantF. How do Doctrine and Faith Precede Baptism?G. Baptism and RegenerationH. Baptism a Means of Grace for the ChildI. Responsibility of Church, Parents, and ChildrenConclusion