Baptism (2)

Sacraments

1. Introduction

Well last week we had our super sacrament Sunday. I say that in jest, purely because I had never seen both sacraments in a Sunday service before. But it was wonderful and it was so encouraging wasn’t it? We witnessed the baptism of Sapphire into and out of the waters, that dramatic picture of Jesus’ death and resurrection. And we celebrated the Lord’s Supper together. it was wonderful. It really encouraged me.

Yet I wonder if we really understood what was going on. I ask this because I did not make much of the sacraments growing up. I just didn’t. I didn’t understand it. Things were just not explained. Or maybe I was just hard of hearing. I think I missed out on growing as a disciple as a result.

I saw Lords Supper as strange, like a really very very very formal part of the service. The leaders of the time thought it was unhelpful. I’m not sure if something mystical was happening. I just didn’t get it. Why are we doing this? Why didn’t we just have KFC afterwards or something. I was confused.

And I also did not understand baptism. I saw it as okay I’ve become a follower of Jesus, I guess I should declare it publicly. My mates were doing the same thing. That’s how I thought. These are just rituals. There’s nothing happening in them. What’s the point?

And you know what, Christians have disagreed over the centuries on the sacraments. If we just think about baptism, that’s what we are focussing on this morning, we have churches that baptise with a sprinkle of water, others head to the ocean, wouldn’t that be cool, we have a big tub, others don’t baptise at all – Salvation Army Church is that right? Some baptise babies, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Uniting.. well, it’s the majority I learnt this week Congregational churches hold to infant baptism. And others subscribe to believers baptism, only those who articulate faith are baptised. Can you guess who? Yes, Baptists, Church of Christ, Brethren I’m sure there are more. And some it’s so important they name their denomination after it. the Baptist church. It can cause division. So we want to get our thinking right.

Now I want to say, this is not a topic absolutely essential for salvation. I don’t see it in that way. We call it a secondary issue. If you are not baptised, it does not mean you are not saved. Think of the thief on the cross, right. But just because it’s not a salvation issue, it is still important. It’s very very important. It’s about being obedient to our Lord Jesus Christ. Why wouldn’t we desire to be obedient? There’s no good reason. And actually, when we understand it, it helps us grow as followers of Jesus.

2. Why the sacraments?

So why the sacraments? Here’s the thing. There is tremendous spiritual benefit to our walk with Jesus when we understand the sacraments. These are God gives these gifts to us to strengthen us in our faith.

Let’s define it. A sacrament is a visible word of promise, it comes from Gods Word and it’s about God. not so much us. about him and his promises to us. It is appointed by Christ, that’s why there are only two, to enact – we see, touch, feel, smell when we participate in the sacrament, display and assure us of the Gospel. God gives us the sacraments to strengthen our faith. To remind us of the Gospel in a real tangible way. and i love how John Calvin says that a sacrament is an outward sign by which the Lord seals on our consciences the promise of his good will toward us in order to sustain the weakness of our faith. God has made very great promises to us, life with Jesus forever forgiveness of sins by faith and he give sacraments to remind us.

3. Baptism: What is it?

So over the next 3 weeks we’re digger deeper, it’s an introduction into the sacraments; why do we have Baptism and Lord’s Supper? We’re thinking about Baptism this week, next week the simple topic of infant baptism – that’s a joke, and then the Lord’s Supper.

And it’s in this order because Baptism as they say, it’s the front door into God’s house. It’s the initial mark of entry into the visible church. And the Lord’s Supper is the continuing marker, like the family dinner table after you have entered the house.

So what is baptism?

Definition: Now to baptise means to wash. Wash with water. Some of us had baths this morning. Some had showers. The mode (bath, shower, sprinkle) is not really the important thing. We do full immersion because it really captures what we see in Scriptures, but its not the most important thing. And the method is not that important. In the New Testament, it was usually at the time of conversion. You become a follower of Jesus and then immediately you got baptised. Think of the Ethiopian Eunuch. He comes to believe in Jesus and then he gets baptised. Acts 8:36

acts 8:36-38

Acts 8:36–38 ESV

And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

You follow Jesus. Then you get baptised. That’s what happened to the Ethiopian Eunuch. That was the method.

And you would remember on the day of Pentecost, Peter preaches repent and be baptised. and Acts 2:41

Acts 2:41 ESV

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

3000 people became believers and were baptised. And they shared everything. Fellowship. Breading of bread, life. It would have been an amazing scene. Can you imagine 3000 people in our tub one after the other? we’d be here all day.

Friends, the mode and method does not matter so much. It’s the symbol that counts. But what’s really crucial is the reality. That’s what really counts.

And this is where we can get it wrong. Why?

4. The Three Views of Baptism

Well there are three main views of baptism. The first two are wrong. the first one is what I think is right.

4.1 Baptism saves us

1. The first is that we are splashed with special water. Some specially authorised words will automatically make you right with God. So everyone who’s baptised is truly right with God. if that’s the case, get baptised as soon as possible! Because Baptism is what makes you a born again. Baptism saves you. and I’ve heard people say give them faith get them baptised. That’s a Roman Catholic view.

This is a wrong view of baptism. Because if you look at those who are baptised they don’t all live like they are born again. And actually, it is faith that makes you right with God. For Paul says in Ephesians 2:8

Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Trusting in Jesus and relying on him alone is what makes you right with God. that’s what saves us, not relying on a ritual ceremony. There’s no biblical evidence to support this view. If this were the case, we could fill fire engines with holy water, head to the MCG and canon everyone into the kingdom. It’s a wrong view. Baptism equals salvation.

4.2 Baptism is purely symbolic

2. Some go to the opposite extreme. Baptism is purely symbolic. It’s just a symbol. Plain and simple. It does nothing. it is just a visual aid. Yes in a sense it is a visual aid. I want to be careful. For it shows us God has united us to Jesus and giving us a spiritual bath. But is that all it is? If it’s just symbolic. Just watch someone else do it. Why get baptised yourself? What’s the point? And more than that, how do we make sense of Matthew 28:18-20? That was our bible reading this morning. Did you hear what Jesus said in that passage? He commands his disciples to get baptised.

4.3 Baptism is a sign and seal of God’s promises

3. And that’s the third view. Baptism is a sign and seal of God’s work in our lives. his promises. It’s about his pledge, his promises to us. it doesn’t save us. it not just purely symbolic. It does something. It’s a sign and a seal for us.

and this is why Jesus gave it to us.

5. Baptism: Why did Jesus give this to us?

Hear this; He commands us to get baptised.

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Notice there in verse 19. Go and Make disciples. That’s the command in the Greek. Make disciples. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. There is nothing that he is not in control over. So he tell his disciples to go and make disciples. How? 2 things. Baptise and teach. Baptism in the name father and of the son and of the holy spirit. That’s a one off. And then, teach the word of God. that’s ongoing discipleship. And this is in the context of Jesus’ comforting words. He is always with us, till the end of the age.

Make no mistake, baptism is a command. I have heard people say it’s no big deal. No! hear what Jesus is saying here. It’s water baptism. Get baptised! if you haven’t you need to listen to the words of your Lord. Now don’t get it wrong, baptism does not make us right with God. It’s not a command that saves you. This is a matter of obedience to our Lord. And that should be enough for us. that should settle the matter. Obey the master. Get baptised.

But actually baptism is more than just a command.

Jesus graciously gives us baptism as a sign and seal of the work of God in our lives.

Let me unpack that. First, baptism is a sign. If it’s a sign, what’ the reality that baptism signifies? That’s the question we should immediately ask ourselves. What does it signify? It’s the Gospel.

Remember when John the Baptist came to baptise in the Jordan river. He said in Matthew 3:11

Matthew 3:11 ESV

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John comes to baptise with water. But Jesus baptises with the Spirit. The baptism of water is not done away with. We see that in the book of Acts, Ethiopian eunuch, Lydia and her household, the Philippian jailer in Acts 16. They are baptised in water. But what’s important now is this new age Jesus brings. The age of spirit and fire. This spiritual baptism took place after Jesus resurrected and ascended to heaven. He pours out his spirit on his people. So that they were born again. They can be right with God through repentance and faith in Him. They have God’s Spirit. They turn away from the old way of living. They turn to Jesus Christ. the Spirit of God has come into their lives. They now live for God. Jesus baptises now with the Holy Spirit.

So friends, this is why we say baptism is the outward sign of water of a spiritual reality. It’s a sign that signifies the reality that you are right with God, you have God’s Spirit dwelling in you.

It’s a bit like this wedding ring. This ring signifies something. This is a sign I’m married. Funny story on this ring actually. I remember we went to make the ring I was like to joy what kind of ring would you like me to wear? What do you think? She’s like. I have no opinion. I’m sure they will all be great. So I go to the Jeweller. I like the chunkier rings. It looks solid. White gold. So when I get it Joy goes, why is it so chunky? And just ripped into my ring I designed. She’s grown to love it now. But this ring signifies that I’m married. Joy’s not here she’s in Sydney 9 hours drive away. it’s weird not having the wife and children at home. but despite her not being here, this ring signifies that I’m married to Joy. When I look at it. I think 17th January 2015 i married Joy. when i look at it, I remember my vows, I remember I am married in God’s sight. I have made a promise to my wife, she has made promises to me. It’s a sign that signifies something greater.

Baptism is a sign. It signifies the Gospel.

And this is so great, greater than any wedding ring, any human marriage that doesn’t even compare in the slightest.

For the gospel is the only means by which we can be right with God. that’s what’s important. That’s of infinite value. Infinite worth. Infinite in beauty. And to get a picture of this remember do you remember Jesus’ parable of the man who owned a vineyard in Matthew 21? Well, in that parable remember he rents out the vineyard to tenants because he was going out on business. When it was time for harvest, he would send a few servants to go back to receive income that the vineyard had earned. These tenants turned out to be wicked men. So wicked. They stoned a servant, killed another and beat the other. So the owner goes and sends a more servants. But the same thing happens. They stoned, killed and beat the other. So the master sends his own son, thinking, surely they will listen to him. He’s my son. The master sent his own son to the vineyard. This is the parable Jesus taught. And when the son arrives, these wicked tenants said to themselves

Matthew 21:38 ESV

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’

This is the parable Jesus told. This parable teaches us that God has tenanted his world to men and woman. He has given this world to us to rule over it. but we know that we are sinful. Man rebels against God. He despises the good God thinking he can rule the world his own way. I can be who I want to be. So God sends prophet after prophet graciously to call his people back to himself. But men despise, whip, stone, kill God’s messengers. Yet this is God’s glorious plan. He sends his very own Son. Jesus came. Born under law, fully man, fully God. a holy man. This is what humans do to him. the god man. They ignore his owns. They treat him like a blasphemer and kill him. nailing him to the cross. And yet in God’s sovereign glorious plan, Jesus died and rose again. It was God’s plan. Friends the bible is clear. everyone has fallen short. You and I we have all rejected God. Jesus has died for your sins. Rose to give you life. All who come to faith in him receive eternal life. Are born of the Spirit. They have eternal life no matter how bad they have been. God offers mercy and grace. You need to trust in Jesus. Friends, if you don’t know Jesus what are you waiting for? He’s coming to judge one day. it will happen.

Friends, this sign – baptism - points us to the wonderful Gospel. That Jesus lived, died, and rose again to glory so that all who believe in him will have life in his name. that’s the spiritual reality.

And the physical sign is this; when you are lowered it represents Jesus dying, buried and as you come out of the water it’s a sign of the glorious resurrection of Jesus. This is what Paul says in

Romans 6:4 ESV

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

The old life is gone. The new life in Christ is now here.

Not only this, it is to show we too are united to Christ in his death and burial and resurrection. Come to

Colossians 2:12 ESV

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

This physical sign is God’s grace to us. The standing, going under, coming up. It’s a picture of Christ crucified, buried and raising to glorious life. We are united with him. and the key is through faith. It’s a sign. Because none of us have seen Jesus actually die, be buried, rise again.

So God gives us this sign, this picture so we can see it every time we witness a baptism. I’ve seen quite a few in my time. it’s glorious. It’s the physical preaching of the Gospel. That’s what happens in baptism. It’s a sign.

And it’s so good for us when we watch it. I was thinking about this. Looking at all the brothers and sisters in christ with joy in their hearts, encouraged, blessed as we see so clearly what Christ has done for Sapphire last week. Baptism is a wonderful sign. It ought to remind you of the glorious saviour we have in Jesus Christ every time.

Friends, baptism is not only a sign. There’s more.

Baptism is a seal. It’s a seal. It seals the reality of the Gospel. You see, when you put a seal on a document what does it do? it’s rubber stamping. This is legitimate. This is what kings would do to authenticate the letter. I remember getting a wedding invite, you know the ones you get these days it’s when you open it up you’re like wow that’s a nice wedding card. I remember this one wedding card, only ever got one with a proper wax seal. It was impressive. Now the seal does not add anything to the document itself. Like with or without the seal I would’ve gotten the wedding card. But it confirms the source. It confirms the authority of the document.

Baptism as a seal assures us of the Gospel. It assures us by saying God assures this person is a believer. God has promised to save them through Jesus by faith. They are baptised in the name of the father of the son of the holy spirit so they can claim all the privileges of a believer. It does not get us into heaven on its own. Faith in Jesus does that. But it’s saying yes I am a member of this kingdom. I can claim the rights of membership. God has sealed this in baptism.

Such that when our faith wavers. When we are struggling, have a heard day, a hard hour a hard month, we feel tired or discouraged, think back to your baptism. Think back this your baptism. Not because he commanded it, that’s enough to make baptism necessary. Jesus did it. Paul, Peter wants us to get baptised. But it is a sign and a seal. We need the grace, we need to be reminded physically of the Gospel again and again and again. It’s a sign. Baptism preaches the Gospel, Jesus death and resurrection for our sins. And it's a seal. It assures us. God has given it his seal. There’s nothing powerful in the water. There’s nothing powerful in me. But by God’s Spirit he gives ordinary things and he reminds us of his promises. He shows us we are washed from sins, our Saviour is not dead but he is alive.

6. Conclusion

In a sense, baptism is just water in a tub. There’s nothing mystical here. but in another sense, it’s God’s Word of promise to us. God promises to bring us home. Jesus has given us this sign and seal of God’s promise in our lives.

When we are weak, and many times we are, remember the sign and seal of God’s promise in baptism. When we are strong, joyful and loving life, remember how great the Lord Jesus is to die for our sins but to give us something concrete to assure us of our faith in baptism.

Let’s pray together.