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Holy Baptism This is a subject that has been controversial down the centuries. The mode of baptism has been disputed: should it be by sprinkling, pouring or dipping? And even more at issue has been the subjects of baptism: should it be infants or adults who are baptised? Of course, more correctly we should say that it is a question of whether baptism be for believers alone or for believers and their children. Note that the children might well not be babies and the believers might well not be that old! The Catechism is specific on the subject but it is not the main interest of the Catechism nor indeed of Scripture. Therefore we will only comment that good men have agreed to differ. Some form of infant baptism, or household baptism as we would prefer, was almost unquestioned until the reformation and it is only in the twentieth century that baptistic views have come to dominate evangelicalism. The more important issue is the meaning of baptism and what is happening in the Sacrament. In Holy Baptism God addresses His people. In particular He speaks of two things: OF CHRIST. Baptism points to Christ as the Saviour. Note Q67: Are, then, both the Word and Sacraments designed to direct our faith to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation? A. Yes, indeed; for the Holy Spirit teaches us in the gospel and assures us by the Sacraments that the whole of our salvation stands in the one sacrifice of Christ made for us on the cross. See Galatians 3:27 and Romans 6:3. Baptism is seen as into Christ. The point is illustrated by 1 Corinthians 10:2: All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. In the Red Sea the people of Israel, being sprinkled and not immersed (!), were baptised into Moses. That is, the past was finished and they were initiated into a new life under the leadership of Moses. So the Christian believer is baptised into Christ. Water baptism says, "You are in Christ." OF CLEANSING. The Greek for baptise most probably does not mean first dip but wash. This is consistently the association of baptism: Acts 2:37-38: Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins... And Acts 22:16: ‘And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ . It is not that the water baptism of itself washes you, any more than it unites you to Christ. Rather, in baptism hear God say to you, as He said at the Jordon, "This is my beloved son - you are united with Christ; you are cleansed of your sin." God addresses His people. It is not you who do something, but god does something. Of course, you do confess your faith, but more importantly, God declares you in Christ and cleansed. How does it work? Your baptism was years ago? But you still have it! It is like the wedding ring. It was given years ago perhaps, but you still wear it and it still declares the love of your spouse. God still speaks. You need to be baptised and you need to have your baptism ever before you. |
