Baptism of Josh Klosterman

Like many of you, when my wife and I were married we exchanged rings and made vows to one another. The ring Neva gave to me is a sign of her love and her vows to me. And, since it came from her, it acts as a seal, pointing to the deeper and authentic reality of her love for me. As a sign, it gives me something tangible to remember her love and vows to me. But it is more than a sign; as a seal, I remember that there is real love given to me from my wife.

We use this language of sign and seal to describe the significance of the sacraments, which are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We use this language to capture the Bible’s teaching on these matters, and it is crucial we get these things correct.

This morning I will be baptizing my friend Josh as a sign of Christ’s saving love and all that Christ has promised to him. Yes, Josh has professed faith in Christ, and yes, he does make promises to live a faithful and pleasing life to God. However, the Bible never describes the sacrament of baptism as a sign of our faith in Christ. Instead, the Bible says that baptism is a sign of Christ’s promises and faithfulness to us.

When circumcision was given to the people of Israel in Genesis 17, God said that it would be a sign of the covenant he made with his people. And what is that covenant? Genesis 17:7 says, “I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.”

Similarly, baptism is described as a sign from our covenant-making and promise-keeping God to us; not the other way around. This is why, for example, Jesus says in Matthew 28 that baptism is done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a sign that our God has put his name on us; he has pledged his faithfulness to us.

We often get this wrong, and believe that baptism is a sign of our faith in God. This is taught in many churches today. You may have attended a church where baptisms were done, people get their testimony, and often end by saying something like, “I am getting baptized today as a sign of my faith in Christ.” As a result, many Christians believe that they ought to reserve baptism until they think their faith is really strong, until they’re “ready” to be baptized and be fully committed to God. Other Christians believe they need to be “re-baptized” after a period of wandering away from the Lord. Such Christians believe that they were baptized because their faith was strong, but after falling into sin or walking away from the Lord for a season, they need to be baptized again and re-dedicate themselves to God.

Listen, I’m not trying to be picky about this. I want you to know the truth. And if you’re listening this morning and this is your understanding of baptism, then I want you to be free.

You see, If baptism is a symbol of your decision to follow Christ and the strength of your faith, then it is a terrifyingly burdensome reminder of your weakness and failure in moments of doubt, confusion and insecurity.

However, if it is a sign of God's love and faithfulness to you, then it is a shining beacon of love when all other lights go out.

Titus 3 says this:

Titus 3:4–7 ESV

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Baptism is not a sign of your works or the strength of your faith, it is a sign of the loving kindness of God our Savior.

And more than a sign, it is also a seal of deep, wonderful spiritual realities. Notice how Paul in this same passage of Titus 3 uses the language of baptism and washing to point to these deep realities of regeneration, renewal, justification, and adopted heirs.

Josh, your baptism this morning is a sign and seal of God’s great love for you. He has set his heart on you, and from now on, when you look back on your baptism, remember his faithful promises to you.

And to all those who are baptized in Christ this morning, remember your own baptism and the love which Christ has poured out on to you. May witnessing Josh’s baptism strengthen your own faith as you remember Christ’s faithfulness to you.

And if you’re here this morning or watching online and you have not professed faith in Christ or been baptized; this Christ is being offered to you this morning. He is a kind and gracious Savior who stands ready to pour out his forgiveness and blessing on you. Put your faith in him. If you have any questions about what that means, we’d love to talk to you more about that.