Question 38 -- Who are the principal subjects of baptism?

elders of the church necessary?

Answer -- It is so, both on the part of the elders or ministers themselves, of whom that duty is strictly required, and who principally therein labour and watch for the good of the flock, and on the part of the church, for the furtherance of their faith and obedience, by instruction, reproof, exhortation, and consolation. Matt. xxiv. 45-51; Rom. xii. 7, 8; 1 Cor. ix. 17, 18; Eph. iv. 11-13; 1 Tim. iv. 15, 16, v. 17; 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25iii. 14-17, iv. 2.

Answer -- Professing believers, if not baptized in their infancy, and their infant seed. Matt. xxviii. 19; Acts ii. 38, 39, xvi. 33; 1 Cor. i. 16, vii. 14; Col. ii. 12-14, with Gen. xvii. 10-12.