How Effective Is Baptism?

 

Does merely the outward washing with water Itself wash away sins?

No; for only the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins.

Then why does the Holy Spirit call Baptism the water of rebirth and the washing away of sins?

God does not speak in this way except for a strong reason. Not only does He teach us by Baptism that just as the dirt of the body is taken away by water, so our sins are removed by the blood and Spirit of Christ; but more important still, by the divine pledge and sign He wishes to assure us that we are just as truly washed from our sins spiritually as our bodies are washed with water.

  Are Infants also to be baptized?

Yes, because they, as well as their parents, are Included In the covenant and belong to the people of God. Since both redemption from sin through the blood of Christ and the gift of faith from the Holy Spirit are promised to these children no less than to their parents, infants are also by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, to be incorporated Into the Christian church and distinguished from the children of unbelievers. This was done in the Old Covenant by circumcision. In the New Covenant baptism has been instituted to take its place.

1. Baptism Is No Substitute for Grace

A. John the Baptist pointed to the superiority of the Holy Spirit's work over the external form of baptism. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11 )

B. When teaching about the pattern for Christian husbands, Paul pointed to gracious behavior of Christ, not to formal rights or status. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water BY THE WORD, (Ephesians 5:25-26)

C. Teachers who ascribe magic power to baptism miss its symbolic character as a marker pointing to supernatural grace. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21)

D. The power is always in the blood of Christ, not in the symbol of the blood. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

E. When Paul could have pointed to the efficacy of the initiation ceremony, he pointed to the Holy Spirit instead. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.(1 Corinthians 6:11 )

II. Baptism Is Still a Powerful Symbol

A. God inseparably links His grace and our washing symbolism. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:14)

B. The Biblical practice of linking the substance and the sign cautions us to be careful to respect the sign. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27)

III. Be as Broad as the Bible in Baptism

A. The Biblical faith is covenantal and multi‑generational. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. (Genesis 17:7)

B. It follows that the symbol of a multi‑generational faith should also be multi-generational. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14)

C. As part of a general command, baptism must be as extensive as that command. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the

Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:38-39)

D. Providence, not chance, places a child in a Christian home and that distinction should be recognized and observed. Yet now hear, 0 Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not 0 Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: (Isaiah 44:1-3)