Baptism is where it all starts for most of us. When I say “where it all starts,” I’m talking about this gift of faith. Faith believes something, or what someone tells you. Faith believes without seeing, and that’s what our Lord gives to us in Baptism.
But don’t take my word for it. Let’s see what God says about this gift of baptism.
1. Who started Baptism?
Matt. 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
The Bible teaches us that:
Our Lord Jesus Christ stated the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. A Sacrament is an act 1) started (or “instituted”) by Christ, 2) using an earthly element (water, or bread and wine), 3) connected with God’s Word and by which God 4) offers, gives and seals to us the forgiveness of sins. There are only two Sacraments that meet these criteria – Baptism and Holy Communion.
2. What does it mean to “baptize?”
The Bible says:
a) Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance.
b) Mark 7:4 When they (the Pharisees) come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash (baptize). And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
c) Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible teaches us that:
To baptize means: a) To apply water
b) In the name of the Triune God
(The words “Baptizing them in the name of” the Triune God imply that by Baptism we are received into fellowship with the Triune God and are made Christians. Where the doctrine of the Trinity is denied, there is no Baptism.)
3. Through whom do we usually administer this Sacrament?
1 Corinthians 4:11 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.
The Bible teaches us that:
Members to have their children baptized in their home church’s worship service so that other Christians might witness this miracle of creating faith and rejoice with the parents of the child baptized.
4. Why do we baptize babies?
a) Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “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. The promise is for you and your children.”
b) John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
c) Mark 10:13-16 P eople were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Matthew 18:6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
The Bible teaches us that:
Babies are to be baptized
a) Because they are included in the words “all nations.”
b) Because Holy Baptism is the only means by which babies, who are conceived and born in sin, can acquire a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
c) Because they, too, can believe!
5. What distinction is to be made in baptizing? The Bible says:
a) Galatians 3:26-27 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
b) Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “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.” (faith in Christ)
c) Acts 22:16 G et up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
d) Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
e) 1 Peter 3:21 And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
f) Titus 3:5-7 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
g) John 3:5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”
h) Acts 8:35-39 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
The Bible teaches us that:
Baptism is a means of grace through which the Holy Spirit
a) Distributes the treasures of Christ’s redemption to us, namely the forgiveness of sins, a right relationship with God, and eternal life.
b) Causes infants to be born again, that is, to have a saving faith created in their hearts which believes that these gifts are theirs.
c) Seals salvation to already believing adults, giving them added assurance that their sins are forgiven and that they are God’s dear children and heirs of heaven.
7. Who receives these blessings in Baptism? The Bible says:
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
The Bible teaches us that:
Baptism gives these blessings to all who believe.
Note: We can’t have these blessings taken away from us. However, we can throw away the blessings of Baptism. If we neglect the strengthening Word of God on a regular basis, our faith can wither and die like a beautiful plant without water. Therefore, it is necessary that we train our children to know their Savior as completely as we can. This includes, but is not limited to, daily family devotions, weekly worship attendance, regular Bible class, Sunday school and Midweek School attendance as well as confirmation classes and every other opportunity that presents itself for Christian instruction. To this end, many of our churches have established a Christian Elementary School, and even a Christian High School so their children may receive the one thing needful for their souls. Christian education is the parents responsibility.
8. What gives Baptism this great power to create faith? The Bible says:
a) Ephesians 5:25-26 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.
b) Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
The Bible teaches us that:
It is not the water that does such wonderful things, but
a) The Word of God, which is connected with the water, places forgiveness of sins, life and salvation into Baptism, and
b) The Word of God in this Sacrament also creates faith, which trusts this Word, and accepts the treasures and makes them our own.
9. Can you be saved if you are not baptized? The Bible says:
a) Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
b) Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.
c) Luke 23:42-43 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Bible teaches us that:
a) It is unbelief only that damns a person.
b) Saving faith cannot exist in the heart of one who despises Baptism.
c) It can exist when for some reason Baptism cannot be obtained.
10. What daily use should we make of our Baptism? The Bible says:
a) Galatians 3:26-27 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
b) Romans 6:4 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.
The Bible teaches us that:
We should remember our Baptism every day, for this will
a) Strengthen us in the faith that in Christ all our sins are forgiven, and that we are children of God.
b) Admonish us that, as the children of God, we should shun all sin, and serve God by a Christian life day by day.
Note: Confirmation is the rite of public reaffirmation of the vow made at our Baptism to renounce the devil and all his wicked works and ways. Confirmation is a custom of the church by which we make public our desire to follow the Lord and live up to what we have come to know about the Christian life.
Confirmation is not graduation from Christian education. It is the foundation for a lifetime of God-pleasing learning, so that we can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To this end, our churches schedule weekly Bible classes, usually on Sundays, so that their members may grow in their faith. Take advantage of these opportunities! You need them! At the same time, use personal time to study the Lord’s Word on your own with systematic Bible study. Ask your pastor for some personal tools that you might use to further your education.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. If you’re not baptized, you’re not saved.
2. A church claims that a person doesn’t need to be baptized to be saved. They will wait until the child is older to make a commitment to the Lord. What danger can you see in this situation?
3. What happens to aborted babies?