SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

MATTHEW 28

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

(Matt. 28:19).

Jesus Christ instituted the sacrament of baptism after He had finished His work of reconciliation and had been resurrected by the power of the Spirit. In Matthew 28, He commanded the disciples to go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Westminster Confession defines baptism as “a sacrament of the new testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible church; but also, to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life” (wcf 28.1).

Baptism signifies not only the washing of regeneration and the forgiveness of sins but also the believer’s mystical union with Christ. Baptism signifies the believer’s union with and the discipleship of the three persons of the Holy Trinity. Those who are baptized are brought into a special relationship with Jesus Christ and made subject to Him as their Lord and King. To be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit means to be brought into the fullness of God. Our devotion extends not only to one person or one aspect of a person in the Holy Trinity, but also to the fullness of all three persons and their roles in the economy of salvation—God as the elector and covenant keeper; Christ as our prophet, priest, and king; and the Holy Spirit as the comforter, who dwells within us and is the earnest of our redemption.

Another important aspect to baptism is its mode. We are given neither an explicit example nor clear teaching in Scripture as to its proper mode, but some maintain that immersion is the only valid mode of baptism. Those who support this view believe baptism signifies only the union we have with Christ in His burial and resurrection. But this is only part of the meaning of baptism, for it also means to purify. The word baptizo does not necessarily express the action of putting under water—it also means to wash, to bathe, and to purify by washing. Purification is often represented by sprinkling throughout Scripture (Num. 8:7; Ezek. 36:25; Heb. 9:10), which means that baptism is not limited to immersion.

CORAM DEO

Ezekiel 27–28

James 4

What does baptism signify? What is the mystical union that is signified in baptism? What does it mean to be baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Can baptism be separated from teaching and discipleship? If you are unsure of these things, ask your church leaders to teach a course on sacraments.

For further study: Mark 16:16 • Acts 2:14–41; 8:12, 38; 10:48; 22:16 • Gal. 3:27

wednesday

november