The Sacrament of Baptism
Dear friends,
As we look forward to Rami's baptism this coming Sunday morning, I thought it would be helpful to provide a short primer on what baptism is and how it’s a wonderful help for the Christian believer.
If you’re looking for encouragement from Christ today, then this is an article for you — remember your baptism!
Baptism is a Sacrament
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19, ESV)
There are two sacraments in the church; baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. These two sacraments are instituted by Christ for the good of his church.
Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 92,
What is a sacrament?
"A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers."
Represented. Sealed. Applied.
Baptism doesn't save a person. Salvation is found in Christ alone by repentance and faith. But Baptism is a sign and seal of Christ and his work.
Sacraments are visible and tangible — praise God!
Baptism Displays Christ
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27, ESV)
In the baptism of an adult believer, in being washed with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Sprit, it’s represented before the church that the person being baptized belongs to Christ, has experienced the cleansing power of the forgiveness of sins by the blood of Christ, has experienced newness of spiritual life in Christ, is now belonging to the family of God by adoption in Christ, and there’s now certain hope of life to come in glory with Christ.
Westminster Larger Catechism Question 165
What is baptism?
"Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into Himself, of remission of sins by His blood, and regeneration by His Spirit; of adoption, and resurrection unto everlasting life; and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s."
Baptism Seals and Applies Christ
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28, ESV)
For a true believer who has been baptized, remembering their baptism is a real benefit and encouragement.
On days of trial and temptation, the believer can look back on their baptism to be reminded of their belonging to the Lord.
For the true believer, Christ is committed to them in a relationship that can never be broken. Baptism is a certain tangible reminder of that fact.
Baptism is a Sign of Admission into the Church
“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13, ESV)
When an adult new believer is baptized before the congregation, it’s a sign of their being cleansed from their former way of life and being admitted into a new way of life with God and with the congregation in this family of believers.
Infants With One or Two Believing Parents Are to Be Baptized
“And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.” (Acts 16:31–34, ESV)
Infants of whom one or two parents belong to the church should be baptized because that child has been born into the church by association with his or her parents.
When a male child was born in Israel, he was circumcised after eight days as a sign of his belonging to that people and to the Lord.
Baptism now corresponds to circumcision. An infant is to be baptized as a sign that he or she belongs to the church and to the Lord.
Not all in Israel who were circumcised grew up to remain with Israel and devoted to the Lord.
Not all in the church who are baptized as infants grow up to become believers.
But in baptism, there’s a sure expectation that the child will grow up with the Christian encouragement of godly parents, a loving church, and with this sign and seal of baptism that should be a constant reminder to the child that they do not belong to the world — but belong to God.
One day, it’s the prayer of God’s people that the infant who was baptized will trust on the Lord Jesus in repentance and faith and then participate themselves in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
Baptism is to Be Remembered and Improved Upon
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38, ESV)
Every child who has been baptized and also every adult who has been baptized should be encouraged to reflect frequently on their baptism.
When questions come up — “Does God care for me?” “Do I really belong to Christ?”
That person can remember their baptism! The moment in which God’s care for them was represented visibly and tangibly to the person and to the church.
When a baptized person is tempted to walk away from God and the church, that person should reflect on the baptism that has engaged them to be the Lord's.
Westminster Larger Catechism Question 167
How is our baptism to be improved by us?
"The needful but much neglected duty of improving our baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others, by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein; by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of the baptism and our engagements; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace; and by endeavoring to live by faith, to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ; and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body."
You may have many questions about baptism. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
See you Sunday (if not before)!
-Pastor Brooks
