Declaring What Jesus Has Done

In the name of

We are familiar with the words of our Savior

Matthew 28:19 ESV

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,

Jesus’ command to make disciples includes the work of baptizing people in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit. Baptism then is a ceremony of sorts that recognizes the believer’s identity with the Trinity. So those who will be baptized this evening are declaring their union with God.

But if we are to think of baptism as a declaration, what exactly is being declared? Yes, we are recognizing that these brothers and sisters have been named or identified with God, but it’s important to be clear on what specifically is being declared. For that clarity we go to

Romans 6:1–5 ESV

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

So much could be said about these verses of Scripture, but I want us to notice the passive verbs:

all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death

We were buried therefore with Him by baptism

We have been united with Him in a death like His

We shall certainly be united in a resurrection like His.

More than anything this evening, what is being declared in these baptisms is what Jesus has done.

He died and paid the penalty of sin

He rose from the dead and destroyed the reign of sin

And through His redemptive work, Jesus united His people to Himself through faith.

So baptism is a declaration of what Christ has done for His people. And as you and I witness these baptisms this evening, those of us who are members of Grace BFC affirm their profession of faith that Jesus died in their place according to the Scriptures, that He was buried according to the Scriptures and that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

Baptism is a display of the gospel and the union that the people of God enjoy through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.