Sacraments/Ordinances

Baptism

What Is Baptism?

It is a sign and seal of the gospel.

Sign: It symbolizes the gospel.

Seal: It marks the believer as belonging to God.

The symbolism of baptism

Cleansing from sin (Eph 5:25-26)

Eph 5:25-26 “25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,”

Death and life with Christ (Rom 6:3-4)

Rom 6:3-4 “3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Union with the church (1 Cor 12:13)

1 Cor 12:13 “13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

Specifically, baptism is a sign of the New Covenant

The New Covenant is a covenant of the heart. Therefore the sign is for those whose hearts have been made new.

Who Is Baptism For?

Baptism exists in a process (Ac 2:41-42)

Believe, be baptized, belong

Acts 2:41–42 NIV

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Every New Testament baptism is baptism of believers.

What Role Does the Church Have in Baptism?

Baptism is not only a personal testimony, it is a church testimony.

As a sign and seal of faith, baptism is a function of the keys. (Mt 16:19)

The gathering of the believers includes the presence of the savior. It is the right place to administer the sign of the New Covenant. (Mt. 18:19-20)

Baptism is specifically given to the apostles who are the foundation of the church. (Mt. 28:18-20)

Baptism adds believers to the church. (Ac 2:41-42)

In baptism the believer says, “I’m with Jesus”

In welcoming to membership, the church says, “And with us!”

What about kids?

Kids can be saved. (Mt. 18:2-4)

Mt 18:2-4 “2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

False professions are common (Mk 4)

Multiple baptisms do great damage to the symbolism of the gospel

Baptism without church membership is dangerous to the soul.

Solution: A prudential age with limited participation in membership.

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a fellowship meal reminding the church of Christ’s sacrifice.

The initial meal is with the disciples.

Paul’s teaching on the Supper specifically calls the church to partake together (1 Cor 11:33)

1 Cor 11:33 “33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together.”

As a fellowship meal the Lord’s Supper is for believers.

Fencing the table

Baptism?

The church is called to continue regularly celebrating the supper together.