Baptism does something. One of the tendencies of evangelical churches is to spend 98% of the time telling us what Baptism doesn’t do and the other 2% informing us what it might do.
That approach stems from fear and not biblical courage. Christians should not fear the language of the Bible. For example, we should not fear what the Bible says about the role of husbands and wives in the home, the limitations of government in politics, and the function of the church in society. Christians should never apologize for biblical language, and neither should we shy away from what it says, even if it makes other Christians uncomfortable. Yes, there are poor interpretations about Baptism, but we should build our theology based on what the Bible says and then defend it from false interpretations. I fear that pattern has been reversed for too long.
There is no new variety of covenant relationships in the New Testament; there is only continuity of signs and symbols and seals. God blessed and incorporated children into the covenant in the Old, and he has not changed his parenting style in the New. The promise is to you and your children in Genesis 17 and Acts 2.
Baptism does something.
The Bible teaches us that Baptism is a divine act. The pastor may be a mere man, but Christ’s act is ultimately authorized by Him and performed by Him. Baptism is what the Lord does to and for His people. Though this is a simple act, there is nothing simple about what this act means. This is not a mere dedication, but God Himself– Father, Son, and Spirit– embracing and claiming officially those who are his.
Suppose that at this Baptism ceremony, alone among all the baptisms that have been performed through the Christian ages, we were granted to witness Baptism in all its behind-the-scene glory. Just as the Minister was preparing to begin the act, a great tearing sound caused all to look up. The ceiling and the sanctuary roof were parted, and down through the opening descended the Lord Jesus himself. Seraphim hovered above his shoulders. The people of God were on their faces before him, but He told them to rise to their feet and to observe what he was about to do.
He brought little children and a young father near unto him and pronounced the divine Trinity over them, he made the promise of His gospel and covenant to each by name, and by name summoned them to the life of faith and godliness. He spoke a few words to the parents about the sacred stewardship he was entrusting to them and how they would answer to him on the Great Day for their children’s faith and life. Then he poured water on the head of each one, blessed them, handed them back to the parents, and ascended back through the parted roof and with a loud crash, the roof came back together, and everything was as it had been.[1]
That Baptism would become a great memory even though some would have no active recollection of it. Scarcely a day would pass without parents reminding them that the Lord Christ himself had taken them in his arms as children and declared that these little children belonged to him from the headwaters of his life! As these children grew up, they would remain under the mercy and the specter and the glory of that Baptism. Their whole life would be colored and shaped by it. When they disobeyed, the memory of it would correct him. When he was discouraged, it would comfort and inspire him. Could anyone see such a baptism and not know for a certainty that Christ would be attending to the life of that child and that his blessing would rest upon him? That is what Baptism does, and that is its effect, or should be. But we see through a glass, darkly, not yet face to face. This is no small act, but it is precisely what is happening today to these dear saints.
[1] Mainly taken from Robert Rayburn.
