What is baptism?

Discussion

What was your biggest take away from the Pre-Work this week?

Updates from Assignments

Let’s do some biblical theology:

When considering the story of the Bible, what are some major events that include water, the sea, or the ocean?

How do these events point to baptism?

Main Point: In baptism, the local church has received a covenant entry ceremony in which we celebrate God’s work of salvation. It is the means by which local churches welcome people into the family of God.

Acts 2:38–41 ESV

38 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. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Why do you think God chose baptism as a sign and symbol of salvation?

Popular views of baptism

Infant baptism (Paedobaptism)

Key Idea: Baptism is primarily a covenant sign, not necessarily the moment of salvation.

Infants of believing parents are baptized as a sign of belonging to God’s covenant community, similar to circumcision in the Old Testament.

Reasoning:

God includes believers and their children in covenant promises (Genesis 17, Acts 2:39).

Baptism replaces circumcision as the covenant sign (Colossians 2:11–12).

Several household baptisms in the New Testament may have included children (Acts 16).

Practiced by

Roman Catholicism

Presbyterian

Anglican

Lutheran

Baptismal regeneration

Key Idea: Baptism is not just symbolic—it is a saving act of grace God works through the sacrament.

God actually grants salvation and forgiveness of sins through baptism

This is the instrument God uses to grant faith and salvation.

Reasoning:

Acts 2:38 – “be baptized for the forgiveness of sins”

Acts 22:16 – “wash away your sins”

1 Peter 3:21 – “baptism now saves you”

John 3:5 – “born of water and the Spirit”

Practiced by

Roman Catholicism

Church of Christ

Lutheran

Believer’s baptism (craedobaptism)

Baptists didn’t arrive on the scene until 1609 because they didn’t believe the Reformers didn’t go far enough.

Key Idea: Baptism is a public declaration of faith that follows salvation.

It does not save.

It is an act of obedience and public testimony of a salvation that has already occurred.

Reasoning:

The New Testament pattern is repent → believe → be baptized (Acts 2:38).

Baptism symbolizes union with Christ in death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).

Jesus commanded us to “make disciples” then to baptize them (Matthew 28:19-20)

Infants cannot exercise personal faith or repentance.

Practiced by

Baptist

Assemblies of God

What does baptism communicate about salvation?

Who should get baptized, and when?

Is baptism a private affair?

Acts 2:41

Baptism is a whole church event.

The sequence

Conversion

Baptism

Addition to the church.

Baptism is the entry point into the visible Church community.

Public declaration

Community recognition

Baptism is not primarily about an individual expressing faith

Baptism is mostly about the Church recognizing God’s saving work.

Baptism reminds the Church of salvation.

It helps us retell the story of God’s work in our lives.

Baptism proclaims and celebrates salvation that has already taken place.

How should baptism shape the way we think about belonging to the church?

If someone says they love Jesus but refuses baptism, how do you respond?

Discussion

What truth signified in baptism is especially significant to you?

Forgiveness of sin, reception of the Spirit, resurrection, union with Christ, etc.

How does remembering our baptism help us live holy lives?

Martin Luther, Reformation theologian/pastor, often told himself in times of temptation “Remember your baptism!”

What is your main takeaway from this session?

Pre-Work 4.1.26

Turn and Tell: With whom can you share something you learned in this session? What do you plan to share with them?

Continue working on the “Story of Scripture” and “Practicing Mission” assignments

Read Exodus 12; Luke 22; John 13; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Revelation 19:6-9

Take five minutes and pray through Romans 11:33-36. Read it once out loud then use it to shape your prayer.

Next Big Idea question: “What is the Lord’s Supper?”