Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1995

Baptism
John H. Muller

Having delineated the idea of early in ARTICLE 33, we next deal with the sacrament of baptism in ARTICLE 34.

It begins with the Biblical truth that Christ fulfilled the law. He shed His blood on the cross and thus did away with circumcision, a bloody rite. He instituted the Sacrament of Baptism instead thereof." The connection between circumcision and baptism is clearly made by Paul in Colossians 2:11-13. Circumcision as a sign of the covenant is replaced by baptism. Baptism is administered under the full revelation given the church in the name of the Triune God. It is like a badge which a person wears to identify himself. Circumcision was a sign that one belonged to the Lord, that sin was forgiven, and was a symbol of purification. Baptism signifies all of these. That is why Paul equated the two rites in Colossians 2. The Christians in Colosse had been circumcised, 'with circumcision done by Christ." In verse 12 he relates that to baptism. Christians are baptized into Christ and thus receive a divine circumcision - beyond this no other rite is needed.

DeBres states that we are commanded to be baptized with water in the name of the Trinity, signifying how the blood of Christ cleanses the soul from sin and regenerates us unto children of God.

"The ministers ... administer the Sacrament ... but our Lord gives ... the gifts and invisible grace, ... cleansing... our souls... renewing our hearts ... putting on us the new man and putting off the old man."

Now DeBres moves into the matter of who receive baptism. 'The infants of believers ... ought to be baptized and sealed with the sign of the covenant, as the children of Israel formerly were circumcised upon the same promises, which are made unto our children." Thus our children are reckoned to be a part of the people of God.

The question as to who should be baptized hinges on our definition of the church. Are our children a part of it? If we limit baptism in the church to believers only, then the lambs of the flock will not be baptized. But if the promise is to us and our children (see Acts 2:39) then baptism of our children naturally follows. This difference underlies the difference between the Baptists and the rest of Christendom.

"Indeed, Christ shed His blood no less for the washing of the children of the faithful than for adult persons." The conclusion the CONFESSION reaches is that 'What circumcision was to the Jews, that baptism is to our children. And for this reason, Paul calls baptism the circumcision of Christ."

The baptism of infants signals God's love for- us even when we cannot love Him back. Quality first... service second to none!

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