Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Infant Baptism - Biblical?

Bryan Schneider · January 7, 2023

Colossians 2:11-23

sharonrpc.org/sermons/infant-baptism-biblical

Summary

Christ commands his church to make disciples of the nations by baptizing and teaching them, with the promise of his continuing presence.
Baptism is a solemn admission into the visible church and a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, pointing beyond its water to Christ and his benefits.
The covenant of grace unfolds from God's first gospel promise through his covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David and reaches fulfillment in Jesus.
The sermon argues that baptism replaces circumcision as the new-covenant sign, signifying union with Christ, regeneration, forgiveness, belonging to God, resurrection, and new life.
Baptism does not automatically regenerate, remove sin, guarantee salvation, or bind the Spirit's work to the moment of administration.
Professing believers should be baptized, and the sermon presents a whole-Bible case that the children of church members also belong to the visible covenant community and receive its sign.
Covenant baptism calls parents and the congregation to pray, teach, worship, shepherd, and help children grow toward personal faith and mature participation in Christ's church.

Why does the church baptize, and how does Matthew 28 connect baptism, teaching, discipleship, and Christ's authority?
What is the difference between the water sign and the saving reality to which it points?
How do circumcision and baptism relate within the sermon’s account of the one covenant of grace?
What benefits does baptism signify without automatically producing or guaranteeing them?
Why must a baptized person still personally believe, repent, and walk in newness of life?
What whole-Bible reasons does the sermon give for baptizing believers' children?
What promises and duties belong to parents and the congregation when a child is baptized?
How can someone remember baptism without trusting the sacrament instead of Christ?

Baptism: Christ's sacrament of admission into the visible church, using water as a sign and seal of covenant grace and union with him.
Covenant of grace: God's gracious provision of life and salvation through Jesus Christ for sinners who could not live by the broken covenant of works.
Sign: A visible act that points beyond itself to the spiritual reality and promises of Christ.
Seal: God's authoritative confirmation that his covenant promise is real and trustworthy.
Visible church: The outward covenant community in which believers and their children receive ministry, fellowship, and the ordinary means of grace.
Baptismal regeneration: The teaching that baptism itself automatically causes new birth, which the sermon explicitly rejects.
Paedobaptism: The baptism of the infant children of professing church members as members of the visible covenant community.