By: Pastor C.J. Moore
This Sunday evening, Liberty Baptist Church will gather to celebrate (...good times, come on!). Why will we be getting together to enjoy one another’s company, play games, and eat/drink snow cones? On that day, we’ll get to witness the baptism of one of our newest covenant members. What is it about baptism that calls for a churchwide celebration? That’s what I aim to answer here by explaining what baptism is in five turns. I don’t expect that many of us will learn something new, but I do hope that many of us will be reminded why baptism is such a wondrous event.
Baptism is...
1) ...our savior’s gospel visualized.
Baptism serves as a picture and reminder of the gospel: Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor 15:1-8; Rom 6:1-11). When we observe baptism, we should be reminded of Jesus’ own death and resurrection and the new believer’s participation in that death and resurrection, giving him a new life (Rom 6:4; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Eph 4:24; Col 2:11; 3:10). The one being baptized is submerged in destructive waters, reminding him and onlookers that Christ died. Yet, the one baptized is also raised from those same destructive waters, reminding him and onlookers that Christ not only died but was also resurrected.
2) ...our salvation made public.
Baptism also serves as a public (1 Tim 6:12) sign and symbol before God, believers, and possibly even non-believers that one has been saved by God—that one has repented of his sins and professed faith in Christ. Not only does baptism point to the gospel, it also points to the baptized one’s salvation, a salvation made possible (and sure) because of the gospel that it visualizes (Mark 1:14-15; 1 Cor 15:2; Rom 1:16-17; Eph 1:13). Baptisms take place because of someone’s profession of faith, yet baptism is, itself, a public profession of faith—a public declaration of one’s salvation.
3. ...our acknowledgment of Christ.
At baptism, believers identify with and show their stand with Christ. At baptism, we acknowledge the glory of Christ and our allegiance with him. While Scripture gives evidence that someone can be saved if he is not baptized (Mark 6:16; Luke 23:43), as well as evidences that someone can be baptized and still not saved (Acts 8:14-24), baptism should still be expected by the one who has professed genuine faith in Christ, for he seeks to affirm and acknowledge, not reject and deny, his Savior (Matt 10:32-33). If baptism is available for those who profess faith in God (Acts 8:36-39), what should prevent them from following in obedience in this way?
4. ...our Triune God at work.
Baptism reflects and reminds us of the work of all three persons of the Trinity. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all play a specific role in the salvation of believers, so the believer is baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt 28:18-20). As well, the salvation made public at baptism is the salvation all three persons brought about. God the Father originates our salvation (Eph 1:3-6). God the Son brings salvation to fruition through his death and resurrection, resulting in redemption and reconciliation (Eph 1:7-12). God the Spirit regenerates, convicts, and sanctifies the believer, giving us new hearts and serving as the assurance of our new relationship with God (Eph. 1:13-14). While there is a special focus on Christ in baptism, as it is his death and resurrection that it pictures, we celebrate the work of all three persons of the Trinity with each baptism.
5. ...our entry into the church.
Last but certainly not least, baptism is one of the two regularly practiced ordinances of the church. While the Lord’s Supper is on ongoing practice in the church, baptism serves as our introduction into the church. So, not only does a believer become one with Christ but he also becomes one with Christ’s bride, the church (1 Cor 12:13). Those truly baptized make up the one people of God (Eph 4:4-6). Through baptism, one enters into a covenant community: a community in which fellow members watch over, guide, disciple, discipline, and care for one another.
So, this weekend, we will celebrate! Why?
We get to see the gospel visualized.
We get to witness someone’s salvation made public.
We get to watch a Christian acknowledge Christ and his work in her life.
We get to remember that the triune God has and is working in her life.
We get to officially welcome a new covenant member into our church.