Acts 2:38-39; Genesis 17
This coming Lord’s Day we have the joy of participating in covenant baptism. And yet, ‘talk about baptism, and you’re immediately plunged into arguments,’ begins one writer in his book on baptism. He then highlights some of the contentious matters:
“Whom should we baptize – professing converts or infants? How should we baptize – by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling? Why do we baptize – as a sign of God’s claim or as a convert’s public confession of faith? What does baptism do – nothing, something, everything? If it does something, how long does it last – for a moment, forever?”
There is unity in that all Christians use water to baptize, and all invoke the Triune name. Beyond that, however, there’s little consensus. Quarrels over baptism are a travesty. The apostle Paul declares that the church has one baptism, as it is one body with one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, and one Father (Eph. 4:4-6). Yet God’s sign of unity is a spring of division. This same writer declares, “We’re Corinthians, acting as if we were baptized into the name of Thomas or Calvin or Luther or Piper (1 Cor. 1:10-18). Paul’s outrage echoes down the centuries: ‘Is Christ divided?’”
Yes, it is sad that the church is divided in this area. And while we will not resolve those difficulties this Sunday, we will rejoice in the glorious, good news of the gospel. For the simple truth is that baptism always brings us back to the gospel, the good news, the stupendous news that the Christian faith proclaims that God himself, the Creator of all is a powerful, indeed, Sovereign King and a perfect Judge who saves sinners like us. Baptism portrays this for us.
See you this Sunday as we celebrate covenant baptism.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Our Sunday School starts back Sunday morning, September 5. We will have age-graded children’s classes along with a youth class and an adult class. We are grateful that the Lord has provided the teachers for our classes; however, if you are willing to serve as a helper – either in a regular position or on an as needed basis – please let Chad know.
Grace and peace to you,
Pastor Wayne