Baptism - Theology Sermon

Sermon Text

The Great Commission

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 28:18–20.

• Christians baptize because the risen King explicitly commands his church to make disciples and baptize them in the triune name.
• Baptism solemnly admits a person into the visible church, one body encompassing believers from every ethnic and social background.
• The sermon describes baptism as a sensible sign and confirming seal of the covenant of grace, pointing beyond ordinary water to God's promises in Christ.
• The covenant of grace begins to unfold after the fall, is progressively administered through biblical covenants, and reaches fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
• Circumcision marked Abraham's covenant household, while baptism is presented as the new-covenant sign of union with Christ, cleansing, regeneration, forgiveness, death and resurrection with Christ, and new obedience.
• The water itself neither regenerates nor automatically guarantees salvation; baptism becomes effectual through the Spirit's work and faith rather than through the moment of administration.
• Those who profess faith should be baptized, and the sermon argues from household baptisms, children's covenant inclusion, and Christ's welcome of little children that the children of visible church members should also receive the covenant sign.
• Baptized children and adults alike must embrace Christ by faith, renounce idols, remember what baptism signifies, and continue in repentance and new obedience.

• Why is Christ's command sufficient reason for the church to baptize?
• What does baptism mean as admission into one visible body?
• How can ordinary water function as a sign and seal without possessing magical power?
• How does the covenant of grace unite God's promises from Genesis through the New Testament?
• Which benefits of Christ does baptism signify and seal?
• Why must baptism be distinguished from regeneration and an automatic guarantee of salvation?
• How does the sermon connect circumcision and baptism within one covenant of grace?
• What biblical patterns support baptizing the children of visible church members?
• Have baptized adults and children personally embraced Christ and renounced every rival allegiance?
• What would it look like to improve upon baptism through daily repentance and new obedience?

Baptism

The water sacrament commanded by Christ, administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as admission into the visible church and a sign and seal of covenant grace.

Visible church

The outward covenant community that professes the true faith and includes its baptized members and households.

Covenant of grace

God's gracious promise to give sinners life and salvation through Jesus Christ, received by faith.

Sign

A visible and sensible ordinance that points beyond itself to a spiritual reality and divine promise.

Seal

A confirming ordinance by which God authenticates and strengthens the promise represented by the sign.

Regeneration

The Holy Spirit's work of giving new spiritual life, which baptism signifies but does not mechanically cause.

Household baptism

The baptism of a professing believer together with the household joined to that believer in the visible covenant community.

Improving baptism

Remembering and living out baptism's meaning through faith, repentance, mortification of sin, and new obedience.