Baptism – God’s Promises for His People

Our Lord is a promise-keeping God. He knows that we need to hear his gospel promises, and be reminded of them regularly. God graciously gives us visible signs to strengthen our faith in Jesus – the sacraments. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper point us to Jesus and the salvation he has won. When we witness a baptism, the whole church has reason to give thanks.

Jesus commanded his church to make disciples and baptise them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Baptism points us to the cleansing from sin and new life we have in Christ. It also marks our entrance into the visible church.

The Westminster Confession describes baptism as a sign and seal of the covenant of grace (28.1). A sign points us to something. A seal confirms a promise. The water points to the cleansing Jesus provides through his death for sinners. God gives this sacrament to confirm his gracious promises and strengthen our trust in him. The Larger Catechism explains that baptism is connected to forgiveness, new birth, adoption into God’s family and resurrection to everlasting life (Q.165).

Why, then, do we baptise children? As Presbyterians, we believe that God includes believers and their children in his covenant community. Children are to be nurtured as members of the church, learning to trust and follow Jesus. At Pentecost, Peter declared that the promise extended to his hearers, their children, and those far away whom God would call (Acts 2:39). Likewise, 1 Corinthians 7:14 says “For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.” The Shorter Catechism therefore teaches that baptism is for those professing faith in Christ and for the children of believers (Q.95).

Baptism also helps us raise our children. When a child fights with a brother or sister, we teach them to seek forgiveness from one another and from God. We can point them to what their baptism signifies. That Jesus cleanses sinners, and everyone who trusts him receives forgiveness. Baptism therefore gives us assurance of God’s promises.

This brings responsibilities for parents and the congregation. Parents promise to teach their children the Scriptures, pray for them and set a godly example. The church shares in their nurture, surrounding them with Christian teaching, love and prayer.

Baptism’s significance continues throughout our lives. The Larger Catechism encourages us to reflect thankfully on our baptism, turn from sin, grow in assurance and walk in love (Q.167). Whenever we witness another baptism, we are reminded of our own calling to belong wholly to Christ. In temptation and failure, it directs us again to his death and resurrection, where we find forgiveness and strengthening for our walk with Christ.

So baptism is a gift for the whole church. It calls us to trust our promise-keeping God, rejoice in his grace, and help one another follow Jesus.