Baptism

This coming Sunday we had a wonderful opportunity to see the baptism of little Brooks Marshall Weaver. When we witness a baptism, it is always good to spend time reflecting on the personal benefit of this sacrament. To do so, let’s ask a few questions. First, does the act of baptism itself does not save anyone? What did Jesus tell the thief on the Cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise,” and he wasn’t baptized (Luke 23:43). The penitent criminal simply looked to the Savior of sinners, and he was redeemed.

Furthermore, Paul makes it crystal clear**, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”** (Rom. 10:9). He doesn’t add the caveat, “And you must be baptized.” Some have gotten hung up on Peter’s comment about ‘how baptism saves you’ (1 Pet. 3:21), but when understood in context, he simply means what corresponds to baptism saves you, i.e., Christ and him crucified and resurrected. Baptism doesn’t save anyone. The Gospel it signs and signifies does.

Second, we need to ask, “When we see a baptism, like Brooks’, what should we think about?” How about, consider what baptism teaches? We who look to Christ with saving faith are forgiven our sins because God’s wrath was emptied out on Christ. We are born again given that the Spirit has been poured out upon us, giving us life. Thus, we are a part of the visible church, children of God, and called to persevere in knowing Christ and following Christ.

However, a third question must be asked, what kind of effect should a theology of baptism have upon us? The writers of the Westminster Confession put it this way, “How is our baptism to be improved by us?” The full answer can be found in Westminster Larger Catechism 167. I commend the whole thing to you but let me just focus on one thing. The doctrines standing behind baptism are a great help to us, especially in temptation. Luther understood this point. That’s why, when the Devil would tempt him to despair due to his sins he would say, “Get away from me Satan, I am baptized.”

In other words, “I have been bought with the precious blood of my Savior. My record of debt has been paid and I bear my guilt no longer. Therefore, I will humbly depend upon the same Spirit who regenerated me to strengthen me to say ‘no the sin’ and ‘yes to righteousness.’” Baptism, then, is a tool for fighting against the flesh, the world, and the Devil. It reminds us of ‘whose we are,’ ‘who we are,’ and ‘how we are to live.’

So, the next time you face temptation, remember little Brooks’ baptism. Let it cause you to reflect on its theology. You are like a helpless baby. You need Christ, and he has been given for you. Let baptism lead you to rejoice in God’s loving mercy. Let it stir you to remember your position in Christ—forgiven not forsaken. And then, resist the temptation before you, because you are baptized. You are Christ’s and he is yours.

Fighting with you,

Pastor Clif