Applying Our Doctrine of Baptism

Recap

New City Catechism Questions 44+45

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What Baptism Is

A symbol of

being washed clean by the blood of Jesus

belonging to Jesus in his death and resurrection on our behalf

belonging to the church as God’s chosen people

Baptism is always in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

What Baptism is Not

Not Salvific

Baptism is not something that saves a person. It’s not like you can just baptise someone and that automatically gets them into heaven.

It doesn’t wash away sins itself.

There’s nothing magic about the water itself that works some sort of grace apart from God.

God is the only one who does the real work here.

Not Merely Symbolic

I don’t think it’s a mere symbol either. It carries with it much more weight than something merely symbolic. That’s why it’s not just a traditional thing we do, but it’s a commandment from Jesus that we follow.

Differing Viewpoints

What We Agree On

We all agree that its not some magic thing, and that it’s something commanded by Jesus that we ought to do in the church.

What We Disagree On

The main thing that we disagree on is the timing of baptism. Some argue that baptism should be for only those who can make a believable profession of faith. Others argue that baptism should be given to those who make a believable profession of faith AND also the infant children of believers.

I presented both of those two views to you and shared where our church tends to land and where I land.

Does anyone have any questions from last week before we continue?

Answering Questions about Baptism

Now a few weeks ago I had y’all write down some questions you had as we began talking about this, so I’m going to answer a few of those that were related to baptism.

Why was Jesus baptized by John?

Matthew 3:13–17 ESV

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus’ identification with humanity and our need to baptized and repent

He didn’t need to repent from any sins, but his willingness to submit to baptism shows he identifies with us as people who do.

He identified as a member of the purified and prepared people of God. But not just any member, the head member. The representative. The king. 

Endorsement of John’s ministry and the need for repentance from all people. 

It’s a covenant sign that He himself went through... it would be kinda weird for all of us to be baptized but not Jesus, the one whom we would call our leader, our head.  

Do you need to be baptized to be saved?

No you do not need to be baptized in order to be saved. We are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. Nothing that we do can earn salvation for us, and there’s not a specific “work” (like baptism) that we need to do in order to secure it. 

However, that doesn’t mean we take baptism lightly. It’s still a command from Jesus that we must obey. Matthew 28:19 “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,”

Do you need to be baptized again after sinning or turning away from God for a while? (especially if you were baptized at a young age)

The answer to this question might require some further discussion with a pastor based on the specific situation.

Some pastors will say that you need to be at an appropriate age to truly understand the faith and be committed to Christ (like early-late teenage years), and so if you were baptized super young they might have you be rebaptized.

Others might say that if when you were baptized you knew what you were doing and you had a genuine expression of faith, then there’s no need to get rebaptized after you’ve sinned.

Some might say that if you renounced Christ for a while then came back to him years later, that might warrant a rebaptism.

The covenant/infant baptist position I shared last week would say that if you were baptized in that tradition, as a covenant sign and not some sort of magical thing, then you are not to be baptized again. 

Few would count RCC baptism as valid, so many would like you to be baptized if you were baptized as a catholic since they are quite different from us.

Application Points

Whenever you watch someone get baptized, meditate on your own baptism.

This was also done to you. You are part of Christ’s family and his people. 

Whenever you watch someone get baptized, recognize your responsibility to that person as a brother or sister in Christ.

Philippians 4:1–6 ESV

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

We are to encourage that person in the faith

We are to pray for that person 

We are to lovingly correct that person if they’re living in sin

We are to be hospitable and loving to that person

We take care of them because they’re one of us. 

Let the baptism remind you of the gospel message and how good Jesus is

His blood was shed as he died on the cross so that you could be washed clean from your sins, as surely as water washes away dirt from the body

Just as someone else does the baptizing, Jesus is the one who has done the work on your behalf.

If you haven’t been baptized yet but you trust in Jesus, do it! 

Acts 8:35–38 ESV

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 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 don’t have to get your life together first. But if you are repentant of your sin and place your trust in Jesus to save you, lets get you baptized

Come see me after this if you want to get baptized and I would love to start that process with you! It’s one of my greatest joys!

Close in Prayer