What is baptism?
Baptism is a holy ordinance, in which immersion in the water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, signifies our being joined to Christ and our sharing the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's. Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). Paul said,
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly by united with him in a resurrection like his (Rom. 6:3-5).Again of baptism, Paul states, "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead" (Col. 2:12). We are also reminded, "For as many of you were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27).
To whom is baptism to be administered?
Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ; and to no other. Acts 2:38 states, "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:12 states, "But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Again we are told, "'Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people [Cornelius and those in his household who believed], who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?' And he [Peter] commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days" (Acts 10:47-48). Sinners went out to John the Baptist, "and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins" (Matt. 3:6).
The infants of believers are not to be baptized; because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures, nor implication from them to baptize such. But baptism is made an expression of faith. Peter said, "Baptism, which corresponds to this [the ark], now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 3:21, see also Col. 2:12 and Gal. 3:26-27).
How is baptism rightly administered?
Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the person in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit according to Christ's institution, and the practice of the apostles, and not by sprinkling or pouring of water, or dipping some part of the body, after the tradition of men. Of Jesus' baptism it states, "And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him" (Matt. 3:16). We are told, "John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there; and people were coming and being baptized" (John 2:23; see also John 4:1-2). Acts 8:38 states, "And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him."
What is the duty of those who are rightly baptized?
It is the duty of those who are rightly baptized to give themselves to some visible and orderly church of Jesus Christ, that they may walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Acts 2:46-47 states, "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." Peter said, "You yourselves like living stones are being built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5). The author of Hebrews said, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Heb. 10:24-25).
What it the visible church?
The visible church is the organized society of professing believers, in all ages and places, wherein the gospel is truly preached and the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper administered in true faith. Acts 2:42 describes the early church in these terms, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers." Acts 20:7 states, "On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight." Paul states, "And he [Jesus] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:11-12).
What is the invisible church?
The invisible church is the who number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head. Jesus said, "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd" (John 10:16). John recorded, "He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad" (John 11:51-52). Paul said God revealed the mystery of the gospel, "As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth" (Eph. 1:10). He also said, "And he put all things under his [Christ's] feet and gave him as head over all thing to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23).
This week, we learned that baptism is the ordinance whereby a believer is immersed in water as a symbol of their union with Christ in his death and resurrection. It is done in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Baptism signifies a person's commitment to walk in continual obedience to Jesus Christ, their Lord and Savior. It is a prerequisite to membership in the visible church (a local congregation), and a mark of belonging to the invisible church (all of God's children, from every age). Next week, we turn our attention to the Lord's Supper, as we seek to answer the question: "How does God reveal the benefits of redemption?" Part 4.
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