December
10

On the Eighth Day.

And to Elizabeth was fulfilled the time that she should bring forth; and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified His mercy with her, and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the young child… (Luke 1:57-59)

That which primarily distinguished the Israelitish Church from the other churches in Asia, and afterward from the Christian Church, was circumcision. And because, as before said, all things of the Israelitish Church, being external, prefigured all things in the Christian Church, which are internal, so the special sign of that church was interiorly like the sign of the Christian Church; circumcision signifying the rejection of the lusts of the flesh, and thus purification from evils, and baptism having the same signification…. Hence it is said in Jeremiah: Wash your heart free from wickedness, so that you may be saved (Jeremiah 4:14)

Baptism was enjoined in place of circumcision, in order that what is internal should be more closely known. This results from the uses of baptism, which are as follows.

• The first use of baptism is introduction into the Christian Church, and at the same time insertion among Christians in the spiritual world.
• The second use of baptism is, that the Christian may know and acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer and Savior, and follow Him.
• The third use of baptism, which is the final use, is that the person may be regenerated. (True Christian Religion 674-675, 677, 681, 684)

Baptism was instituted to be a sign that a man is of the church, and as a memorial that he is to be regenerated; for the washing of baptism is nothing else than spiritual washing, which is regeneration. Since everyone who is regenerated also undergoes temptations, which are spiritual combats against evils and falsities, therefore by the water of baptism these also are signified. As baptism is for a sign and memorial of these things, therefore man may be baptized as an infant, and if not then, he may be baptized as an adult. Let those therefore who are baptized know, that baptism itself does not give faith nor salvation, but it testifies that they may receive faith and be saved, if they are regenerated. (Heavenly Doctrine 202, 205-207)

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