“Baptism, which corresponds to this, 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 (ESV))
We talked about the means of the Word of God through which the Holy Spirit works faith and gives His gifts of forgiveness of sins and with forgiveness, life and salvation. There are other means through which the Holy Spirit works, and one of those means is Holy Baptism.
For you, whose fathers raised you up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, give thanks and praise to the Lord. For you, your entrance into faith and the kingdom of God was through your baptism. Holy Baptism is not merely a ceremonial rite. Baptism is not something we do, for one cannot baptize oneself. Baptism is not a show but is a sacred act, given by God (Matthew 28:19-20) through which He comes to give faith (Acts 2:38-39, Gal. 3:26-27), forgiveness of sins (Acts 22:16), life and salvation (1 Peter 3:21; Titus 3:5-7).
If Holy Baptism were something we were to do, then we better make sure we do it right. The problem is that we are conceived and born in sin (Psalm 51:5), everyone of us, all of us, infants included. David makes no exception when he says so. Thus, if something as important as Holy Baptism depended on us, we would blow it. If Holy Baptism is something we do to show our faith and obedience to God, then we would fail here as well, because, our sinful nature would not want us to be obedient. As for faith, we are shown that even little children and infants can believe. Even Jesus acknowledges that the little ones can believe (Matthew 18:6). Certainly a little child or even an infant might not be able to express his/her faith as you and I simply because an infant cannot articulate language and a little child may not be able to as well. However, an infant and a little child do show their faith through their actions of belief.
Also, if Holy Baptism depended on our understanding of how the water and the Word do such great things, then we would be hard pressed to believe anything of God’s Word has any effect on anyone, because no one may rightly and thoroughly explain all the intricacies of our great God, the Trinity, the omnipresence of Jesus, Jesus who is God and man, etc. Yet, here again, we take our cues from nature. Although one may not understand how a medicine might work, the medicine works despite our lack of knowledge. Although a child might not understand why s/he needs a bath and may not want to take one, as a parent understanding its importance, a bath is given.
And so, with Holy Baptism, it is not the one being baptized who must understand what is happening. It is not the one being baptized who must believe something or even know why it is important. No, the importance of Holy Baptism is that this is God’s gift, given to us. And this gift is a complete gift. Not only does our Lord give us the gifts of faith, forgiveness, life and salvation, which are ours through faith, He also gives us the faith to reach out and take hold and make these gifts ours.
When you are visiting a friend and s/he asks if you want a drink of water, s/he does not ask you if you have brought your own cup. Neither does s/he ask you if you understand what s/he is about to give you. No, s/he brings you a cup filled with water which quenches your thirst. Likewise, when one is baptized, our Lord gives faith which is the instrument that takes hold of and makes the rest of the gifts theirs as well, forgiveness of sins, and with forgiveness life and salvation. It is a full, complete gift God gives. And we rejoice and rightly trust that this gift is enough, because if God does it, if God gives it, it must be right and complete.
Think About
Did you decide to be conceived? If not, then how can you even think you could decide to come to faith or to be baptized? Notice again, in your own life, thoughts and words, who is running the show, who is doing what. Are you running the show or is God?
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for attempting to take credit for what You have done, for what You are doing, and for what You promise to continue doing in my life. Thank You for giving me faith, for strengthening me in faith, and for keeping me in faith. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Hi Ron. Had some interesting conversations with my mother in-law this past week regarding our Evangelical/Bible Church friends who seem to frown on Infant Baptism. How do you typically respond to this? Curious on your thoughts. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMark Barnes
Actually, I think you have some answers in your post above upon further review. Please add anything you think may help. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe question to ask is, who is doing what? Can we choose to be born? If, as David says, we are conceived and born in sin, if, as God points out in Genesis, every inclination of our heart is evil all the time, if as Paul says, the good I would do I do not do, but the evil that is before me is what I do, if Jesus tells us that no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit, who do we think we are to be able to "choose" Jesus? I have never "chosen" Jesus, because "I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him, but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts" (Holy Baptism, Lord's Supper), etc. The audacity to think that we choose Jesus. Yet, more important is the fact that He has chosen us, me. Can I depend on my choices? No, I tend to choose the wrong thing and change my mind. Can I depend on what God does? You bet(cha)!
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