Baptized

Scripture Lessons

Isaiah 43:1-7                         “Fear not, for I have redeemed you.”

Psalm 29                               “The voice of the LORD is powerful.”

Romans 6:1-11                    We are united with Christ in His death and resurrection in Baptism.

Luke 3:15-22                         John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today is the Baptism of Our Lord. You heard the gospel which states simply, “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” One question that arises this day is the nature of Jesus’ baptism and your own. Are they the same? Were I to preach on the gospel today I would probably provide a deeper dive into that question, but I am preaching today on the lesson from Romans 6. Let me say this much before I move on. Jesus was baptized because it was necessary to, “fulfill all righteousness.” See Mt. 3:15. John had resisted, but it was necessary for John to baptize the Christ. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. Question: Why did Jesus, who was sinless, need to repent? Answer: He repented of your sins. He repented of the sins that He would take upon Himself, yours and the sins of the whole world. Thus, the baptism of our Lord is understood only in view of the cross. His baptism, repenting of your sins, must be understood in view of His death on the cross for your sins. One final note: You’ll notice that God the Father was “well pleased.” Yes, it pleased God the Father that Jesus should repent of your sins.

Now let’s talk about baptism in the era of the new covenant, that is from the time that Jesus instituted it up to our present day. This is the baptism of the Jewish-Christians who received Peter’s sermon on Pentecost. “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41. This is the baptism that Paul the apostle received. “¹⁷ So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on [Paul] he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized.” Acts 9:17-18. This is the same baptism which you have received. The baptism which Peter declares saves you. “Baptism, which corresponds to [the flood], now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 3:21.

This baptism is not the same baptism that Christ received, but is the baptism that Christ instituted. “¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.

This baptism is sorely misunderstood. Some churches consider baptism merely an ordinance, something symbolic, not necessary to salvation. Some people regard our confession of Baptism to be supernatural mumbo jumbo. Perhaps we should equip our baptismal font with a bubbler and humidifier so that when we open it the water moves and a mist rises. Then I can stand over it and act the part of a sorcerer, conjuring God’s spirit. You may laugh, but this is what some Christians think of our doctrine and practice, that we are gullible simpletons. But it’s not mumbo jumbo, it’s the very voice of God from heaven, the word of God which accomplishes what He says.

Kelly and the girls witnessed a baptism at another local church in which the pastor literally said, “baptism does not save you.” Folks, the grammar of 1 Peter 3:21 could not be more clear…Baptism saves you!

Many churches don’t baptize children. Instead they have “dedication.” I suppose the lack of baptism makes some people feel like their kids are being left out. Perhaps there is an unsettling feeling that there is something missing, something that they should be doing for their infant child. So, instead of a baptism, they have a dedication. The child is dedicated to the Lord and the parents dedicate themselves to raising the child in the faith. You’ll find this practice in the book of First Hesitations.