Washed In Baptism

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Romans 6; Lord's Day 26
Psalters: 400, 35, 234, 142
  1. A sign and a seal.
    1. The sacrament consists of an outward sign and of an inward spiritual reality.
      1. As water washes away physical dirt, so Jesus’ sacrifices washes away sin.
      2. Christ instituted water baptism to portray the washing away of sin from our souls (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16).
      3. The apostles used it that way: Acts 2:38; 8:36; 22:16; I Peter 3:21.
    2. The sacraments are more because God’s promise is joined to it.
      1. The Reformed churches have condemned the idea that the sacrament is merely an empty sign.
      2. The Reformed churches also rejected Rome’s position that the sacrament has an inherent power.
      3. The blessing in the sacrament and the grace given are always connected with faith.
  2. What is the essence or the spiritual meaning? And what is it to be washed in the blood?
    1. How much water is to be used in baptism?
    2. Real baptism is spiritual; it is a spiritual cleansing (Titus 3:5).
      1. Baptism assures me that I am washed of all my sins by the blood of Christ.
      2. By His death Jesus took away (washed) the guilt of our sins (forgiveness) and merited life and salvation for us.
    3. Also portrayed is incorporation into Christ and cleansing by the Spirit..
      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. First we are renewed (regeneration) and are continually cleansed in sanctification (I Peter 1:2).
  3. Thus the truth taught in baptism assures believers.
    1. Our baptism gives faith the answer of a good conscience toward God.
      1. Baptism assures us that we have been washed in Christ, so our conscience is free before God.
      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.
    2. When we, through weakness, fall into sin, we must not despair of God’s mercy and covenant and forgiveness.
    3. Let us remind ourselves that we were baptized and remember what it signifies.