The Promises of Baptism Explored

 (Seal Beach ~ Vandenberg AFB CA)

We had both of our children baptized, and I have always held to the belief that Baptism was a sacrament not only for adults but for children as well.  Recent review – books and videos – of excellent Lutheran ministers helped me understand both what I believed and what I was seeing in my friends.  I increasingly understood the arguments of my Baptist (AnaBaptist) friends (to include many “non-denominational” Christians) to be based upon a humanist, rationalist perspective of what Baptism is and what it does – that is, presupposing that all things in the physical, earthly realm were sinful and/or associated with “works” and therefore of no spiritual value.  They also unquestioningly tied faith to intellectual assent and understanding; and whether knowingly or not, rejected the theological stance that sin is a condition and not only actions, thereby rejecting the intrinsic sinfulness of every human being including infants.  But my ability to refute all of this with Scripture was not very strong.  The verses quoted back and forth didn’t ever seem to capture the fullness of what I wanted to say; and a review of my copy of Luther’s Small Catechism – the foundational reference for my faith development as a child – was less than helpful.  

The Catechism is structured in a Q & A format, ideal for instructing the young but less helpful in capturing a robust, nuanced argument in true fullness.  Simply rereading my Catechism did not empower me to have an adult discussion on what I believe about Baptism; nor did it significantly strengthen my personal faith through deeper understanding of the biblical texts.  It seemed to stand on so many presuppositions as to be useless to a non-Lutheran, and less-than-helpful in discussions between a Lutheran and a non-Lutheran.  Key concepts which are earth-shattering in their implications for humanity – that Baptism ties us in some way to the death, resurrection and eternal life won by Christ Jesus – were boiled down to prosaic, uninspiring statements to be memorized and regurgitated.  The truth of Baptism is meant to be clung to in overawed wonder; to inspire hope and confidence in the darkest times; to give joy and comfort in the face of pain and death in this life, as it ties us to eternity with our Lord and Savior!  

With this in mind, I used the verses cited in my Catechism as a springboard for personal study of what the Bible says about Baptism.  This discussion is my own attempt to capture both the truth and the mystery, the joy and the awe, of this doctrine and event.  I hope that it is theologically correct, but at the very least the review of Scripture was edifying for me.

Baptism grants the Holy Spirit and is connected to the fullness of Christ’s saving work:  The command to Baptize came directly from our Lord Jesus Christ, and it came as He finished the fullness of His earthly ministry:  His perfect obedience, His innocent suffering and death, His triumphant resurrection from the dead.  Right before His ascension to the Father’s right hand, to His position where he would exercise all power and authority heaven and earth, Jesus gave the command to Baptize all nations. (Matthew 28:18 - 19)  To take this command as a capstone for all of Christ’s completed work is appropriate.  Baptism is specifically commanded to be in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit per the words of Christ Himself (Matthew 28: 19), and later to be in the name of Christ (Acts 2: 38) but with the Acts reference appearing to indirectly mention the other Persons of the Trinity.  In John 14: 15ff, Jesus comforts His disciples by promising them the Counselor, the Paraklete, the Advocate, the Helper, the Guide: the Holy Spirit (see specifically John 14: 15 – 17 and 26).   In that same section, He promises them the kind of life He has, life in Him and in the Father (vs 19, 20).  In Matthew 28: 20, the command to Baptize and make disciples is tied closely to Christ’s promise to be with His disciples.  In Acts 2: 38, Baptism is clearly stated to result in the gift of the Holy Spirit, a Promise which was given to all people – both at that time, and all generations going forward.  The promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit – the presence of God with us until the end of this Age - is fulfilled in the command to be Baptized:  in Baptism, we are granted the Holy Spirit and connected to the fullness of the work of Christ Jesus for our salvation.

Baptism grants forgiveness from sins:  Baptism is commanded as the proper response of a heart burdened by sin, guilt and grief; it is specifically stated as being for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:37 – 38).  In Mark 16: 16, Baptism is described as saving us; and according to 1 Peter 3: 21, Baptism saves us as the cry of the conscience for cleansing before God.  In context, Peter (1 Peter 3: 18 – 22) tells us that even as Noah and his family were saved from watery death by the ark, even so, that water symbolizes the water of Baptism which saves by the resurrection of Christ Jesus.  Verse 22 highlights again that Christ is now at God’s right hand; again, tying Baptism to the completed work of Christ and His eternal authority.  

Baptism is a spiritual washing; in it we are clothed with Christ’s righteousness and called God’s children:  The theme of Baptism as washing is repeated frequently.  Acts 22: 16 states that Baptism washes away sins; and in 1 Corinthians6: 11, Baptism is described as washing us, justifying and sanctifying us in the Name of Christ and by the Holy Spirit.  Ephesians 5: 26 discusses how Christ cleanses His bride, the Church, making her holy by water through the word; and Hebrews 10: 22 states that as our bodies are washed with pure water, so our hearts are made clean - both clear allusions to Baptism.  Galatians 3:26 and 27 describe us as being clothed in Christ, and as being children of God by faith in Christ and in our Baptism – as our sins are forgiven, as we are washed and made righteous in Christ, we are granted the position of “child of God!”  This image of washing and wearing clean clothing brings to mind Matthew 22: 1 – 14, the Parable of the Wedding Feast.  In this parable, people of all ranks and stations are invited to the wedding feast, and a man arrives for the wedding without “wedding clothes.”  For this offense, he is cast “outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Without the righteous robes of Christ Jesus, we too will be unwelcome into His wedding feast.  

Baptism unites us with the death, resurrection and eternal life won by Christ:  Not only does Baptism wash and clothe us in Christ’s righteousness, we are also tied by Baptism to His death and resurrection.  Romans 6: 3 - 7 says that our old selves are crucified with Christ Jesus; that we are Baptized into His death and resurrection; and given new life in Him. Further, because we have died in Christ through Baptism, we are now dead to sin; neither sin nor death have power over us because we are united with Christ in Baptism (Romans 6: 7 -9).  1 Peter 3: 21 reiterates that Baptism saves us by the resurrection of Christ.  While the Romans passage does not use the words rebirth or born again, the chapter clearly describes a new life which starts in Baptism – dead and buried in Christ, raised in His resurrection.  In John 3, in His discussion with Nicodemus, Jesus says that being born again is required to enter the Kingdom of God (John3: 3); in fact, entering the Kingdom requires being born again by water and the Spirit (John 3: 5).  Titus 3: 4 – 7 states that Christ saved us through the rebirth of Baptism and renewal by the Holy Spirit – again, tying Baptism to new birth, and reiterating the link between Baptism and the Holy Spirit.  

The gifts of Baptism are for all sinners, including infants and children:  Baptism and discipleship clearly go together (Matthew 28: 19 – 20), and Baptism is described as a response to hearing and believing the gospel message (Acts 2: 41).  However, limiting Baptism only to adults able to fully confess an intellectual assent, denies the power of original sin – sin which permeates us from conception (Psalm 51: 5) and which separates us from God (Isaiah 59: 2), dooming us to temporal and eternal death.  Knowing that even infants are sinful creatures, and knowing the benefits of Baptism – rebirth; cleansing from sins; union with Christ in His death and resurrection; clothing us in His righteousness and giving us the title child of God – how would we deprive any human being of the gift of Baptism?  And it is a gift.  Yes, it is certainly commanded by Christ – and therefore something which must be done, an action – but it is a command which carries incredible promises, promises which children need as much as adults.  The Kingdom of God belongs to children as much as to adults (Mark 10: 14; Matthew 18: 3 - 5), and the promise of the Holy Spirit is for “you and your children” (Acts 2: 39).  And as we obey the commands of Christ, we know that the wind blows where it wants and is heard but not seen – we obey the Word of Christ and count on His promises being fulfilled as we are born of the Spirit, whether we can see them or not (John 3: 3 – 8).  Because we are human beings, both flesh and spirit, our Christian faith is lived in flesh and in spirit; James 2: 14 – 26 reminds us that true faith must be active.  Baptism is an act of faith, trusting in the word and promises of God in Christ.  Even as Abraham lived out his faith in his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac – an action which was counted as righteousness (Genesis 22; Romans 4; James 2: 21 – 24) – so we bring our children to unite them to the death of the One perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.