God's Sign of Baptism

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Romans 6:4-6; Lord's Day 26
Psalters: 175, 35, 234, 396
  1. The institution.
    1. The O.T. parallel to baptism is circumcision, both signs of being separated from one’s sins.
    2. Baptism came in the place of circumcision.
      1. No more blood might be shed after Christ shed His.
      2. Jesus instituted the sacrament at His ascension (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16).
      3. Baptism has the same meaning (Col. 2:11,12).
  2. This brings us to the meaning of the sacrament.
    1. The sacrament consists of an outward sign and of an inward spiritual reality.
      1. Real circumcision is of the heart, not of the body (Deut. 10:16; Jer. 4:4; Rom. 2:29).
      2. Real baptism is spiritual and speaks of a spiritual cleansing (Titus 3:5).
    2. Further, baptism is incorporation into Christ.
      1. We are buried into Christ’s death and we are risen with Him into newness of life (Rom. 6:3-5,8,11).
      2. Thus Jesus uses the formula: “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
    3. Only faith can grasp the meaning.
      1. Faith sees the water and realizes the spiritual meaning by holding for truth God’s promise of salvation in Christ.
      2. To faith, the spiritual benefit of forgiveness is as sure and as real as the outward act.
  3. The implications.
    1. Faith in the meaning of spiritual baptism assures believers of their salvation.
    2. Also our baptism gives a great power to cause us to live an antithetical life.
    3. And the knowledge of our baptism gives us strength to bear life’s burdens and to fulfill our calling.
    4. When we fall into sin, we must not despair of God’s unchanging mercy and covenant and forgiveness.