Dear Redeemer Family,
In just a few weeks time, on November 3, we will have the joy of celebrating the sacrament of baptism. Here’s who should consider participating:
You have already given yourself to Jesus in faith but for whatever reason, have never taken the step of baptism. If that describes you, then this is a good opportunity to seal your belonging to Jesus and to his church.
You are right on the edge of converting to the Christian faith. You haven’t made the decision yet, but you’re seriously considering it. If that’s you, think of this as a good opportunity to make up your mind and commit.
You are a Christian parent of an unbaptized child. If that is you, bring your child to receive baptism! The Lord Jesus loves your little one.
Note: For an occasion as special as a baptism, we often want to plan ahead, invite friends, family, and godparents, and prepare a special celebration of some kind. So, in the interest of helping us all plan ahead, I thought I’d send out the dates for Baptism Sundays for 2024-25. These four special days are the traditional Baptism Sundays of the liturgical calendar.
January 12: Epiphany Sunday
April 20: Easter Sunday
June 8: Pentecost Sunday
Now it may be helpful to offer a brief refresher on what we believe about the sacrament of baptism. If you would benefit from that, keep reading!
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Many of you are relatively new to the Christian faith and new to participating in a local church, especially a local church that practices ancient traditions like Redeemer does. So let me say a word about what Christian baptism is.
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." - John 3:5
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. - Matt. 28:19
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. - Romans 6:4
Because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, 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 Peter 3:20-21
In Christian baptism, a person is united with Jesus in His death and resurrection. We call baptism a sacrament because it is a physical, tangible, material ritual that is filled with a spiritual, intangible, immaterial grace. Something physical is happening: the person is either being immersed in water or having water poured over their head. Something spiritual is happening: that person is mysteriously (in a way that we can only barely begin to comprehend) being joined together with the Lord Jesus and, therefore, becomes a part of the church - the body of Christ.
THE STORY OF BAPTISM IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS
The Old Testament prefigures baptism. There are many examples, but here are the big ones: the creation of the world, the salvation of Noah and his family from the flood, the exodus of the Israelites through the Red Sea, and the Israelites crossing the Jordan River out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land.
Christ commands us to be baptized and to baptize others.
The New Testament authors teach on the centrality of baptism in a Christian’s life.
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
Any person, young or old, who wishes to put their trust wholeheartedly in Jesus for their redemption.
Any child of a baptized adult Christian who will raise that child in the faith as a part of the church.
WHY DO WE BAPTIZE INFANTS AND LITTLE CHILDREN?
“We start talking to our children not because they understand us, but so that they will. Baptism is God's language whereby he starts talking to his children and initiates a relationship with them. Sacraments are a word after all.” - Peter Leithart, The Baptized Body
We baptize children, not because we think that an adult profession of faith doesn’t matter (it does and should come at Confirmation - the other side of the coin to infant baptism), but because we seek to raise Christian children within the church.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them.” We take the Bible at its word when it says that little children can come directly to Jesus; they do not have to grow up first.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
I would heartily recommend Peter Leithart’s excellent little book The Baptized Body to anyone who has serious questions about Christian baptism (especially baptizing children) and would like to learn more about it. Copies are available for sale at the book table on Sunday mornings.
If you are a teenager or an adult who has never received Christian baptism and you would like to, please email me. I would be delighted to get together and talk with you about it.
If you are a parent and your child has not been baptized, same invitation! It would be a joy to baptize your little one.
Click accordingly to register for the upcoming Baptism Class on October 7 and Baptism Sunday on November 3.
In the Father’s love,
