What is Baptism?
For the next two lessons we will be departing slightly from Dr. Tennent’s catechism. He deals with sacraments as a whole and touches on the particular ones: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. I am looking to reverse the emphases, but I encourage you to read both of his brief articles that will be linked at the end.
Romans 6:2b-5 How can we who died to sin still live in it? 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 be united with him in a resurrection like his. (ESV)
What is baptism?
Baptism is an act that unites a person to Christ.
What does baptism mean?
Baptism reenacts Christ’s death and resurrection and allows the person to participate and be united with Christ.
Is it just a symbol?
No, baptism is a divine event where a person is united to Jesus.
Illustration: In a wedding ceremony there is often a lot of symbolism, but it’s hard to suggest that it is only a symbolic event. A divine mystery occurs to unite two separate people as one. Their status changes: They belong to one another, she’s a Mrs., etc. Baptism similarly is an event where you are united to Christ.
What are the effects of this union?
Baptism is our dying to sin so that we can walk in Christ’s life. It also pushes us to hope for our glorification (see week 20).
Optional Question: Ask your child if they would like to be baptized.
What are baptism practices in the Evangelical Methodist Church?
We perform infant baptisms as well as believer’s baptisms. We will not re-baptize someone born as an infant.
Scripture Memory Verse:
Galatians 3:27 – For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (ESV)
What is Baptism?
Baptism is the ceremony where we are united with Christ as we participate in his death and resurrection.
See further treatments on the sacraments by Dr. Tim Tennent: What is a Sacrament? and What are the Means of Grace?
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