BAPTISM, GOD’S MOMENT OF GRACE:

TWENTY-ONE THINGS THAT HAPPEN AT BAPTISM

Baptism, and God the Son

The car’s ignition draws my attention: multiple circuits spring together into action when the ignition is turned on, and these circuits interact so that the car “runs!” While a limited analogy, this intricate cooperation reminds me of the shared actions of the Persons of the God-head at baptism, as they together bless the person being baptized. Baptism is a very special event, both because of the presence the three members of the Godhead, and because, now and beyond, they bless the candidate in multiple ways, as a new and blessed life begins!

This begins the Gospel Herald’s study, “Baptism, God’s Moment of Grace: Twenty-one Things that happen at Baptism.” The study will be given in three parts: 1. Baptism, and the Son; 2. Baptism, and the Spirit; and 3. Baptism, and the Father.

That the three members of the Godhead are present when baptism takes place might come as a surprise. Indeed, there is more going on at baptism than “just getting wet!” or, than “meets the eye!” Begin with the concept of the “omnipresence” of deity as well as the “omniscience’” and “omnipotence”” of God presented in Scripture, and be prepared for mind-expanding insights. Continue with thoughts of “forgiveness,” “cleansing,” “justification,” “sanctification,” and “indwelling!”

Each of the three studies will feature the blessings in baptism that, as noted in the Scriptures, are associated with the particular Person of the Godhead identified.

1. The history of redemption is recapitulated.

1. 1 Cor. 10:1-4 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under a cloud, and all passed through the sea and were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink. For they all drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.

2. 1 Pet. 3:15b-22 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, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

3. Ex. 19:10, 14 The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments … So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments.”

2. The prophetic purpose of John’s baptism is realized.

1. Mk. 1:4-5 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

2. John’s baptisms looked forward to Jesus’ baptism, The prophetic meaning of John’s baptism was that Jesus’ disciples would also experience baptism (immersion) in water. This was borne out every time a new disciple is immersed into Christ,

3. The meaning and action of Jesus’ baptism by John is shared.

1. Matt. 3:13-17Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 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; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

2. Mk. 10:38-39Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized,

4. It also Christ who shares in enacting baptism by which he “washed” the church.

1. Matt. 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

2. Eph. 5:25 “Husbands love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”

5. It is in baptism that one becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ.

1. Col. 2:12 …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.

2. Rom. 6:3Do 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.”

6. In the one baptism, we are all called to the grace of the one Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Eph. 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called in one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.

2. Eph. 4:7-8 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says: “When he ascended on high he lead a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.

7. It is in baptism that Christ merges Jew and Gentile into the church, the equitable society, and Abraham’s offspring.

1. Gal 3:26–29 …for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

II. Baptism. and God the Spirit

While this will sound extravagant in the extreme, the Attention of the Ages was drawn, on that day in July, 1943, to a rural location on the Sixteen Mile Creek, near Omagh, Ontario, where Raymond Crumbliss, evangelist with the Strathmore Blvd. Church of Christ, in Toronto, was about to baptize me, a nearly twelve-year old boy, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

While the activity taking place would perplex the casual bystander, there were few witnesses. And most of these were young people, perhaps also somewhat puzzled by the proceedings. Indeed, it would take me a lifetime, and beyond, to understand the preciousness of that moment, and the significance of that occurrence. Yet, excitement in heaven surely marked that event as “timelessly precious!”

Immersed in the murky, shallow, lukewarm waters of that rural creek, Christ, the Son applied the soul-saving benefits of his shed blood, delivered on the cross, where, at this remarkable meeting, Jesus became my Lord, for a life-time and for eternity. His presence and action were also graced by that of the Holy Spirit, and of God the Father!

Grace was present in total abundance on that occasion, with the implication that grace would be present for a lifetime, and beyond.

This study is about the moment of grace experienced at baptism, grace generously given in unison by the three Persons of the Godhead, grace that blesses one’s life on earth and beyond.

8.And it is also the Spirit who baptizes into one body.

1. 1 Cor. 12:13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free- and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

9. Baptism is the climaxing work of the Spirit who convicts.

1. Jn. 16:8-11And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

10 It is at baptism that the Spirit creates new life.

1. Jn. 3:3, 5Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” … Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

2. 1 Pet. 1:2, 23 …according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.— since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

11. Baptism is the gracious work of the Spirit in justification.

1. 1 Cor. 6:11And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

12. Baptism begins the sanctifying work of the Spirit.

1. 1 Cor. 6:11And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

13. Christian baptism is with the Spirit.

1. Acts 11:16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

2. Acts 2:38And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

14. At baptism the Spirit takes up his work as the indwelling presence of God

1. 14:17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

2. Rom. 8:9You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

III. Baptism, and God the Father

We must ask the question, “Does baptism save?” Certainly, there is no special spiritual power in that remarkably powerful H2O that amply blesses and distinguishes this planet, to effect spiritual cleansing. And no credit can be earned by one’s simply making the decision to accept baptism. Indeed, theologians warn that to credit one’s obedience in baptism as the reason for “forgiveness” would amount to “work’s redemption,” a no-no in our faith-system, we are reminded. And from the consistently passive state that prevails during baptism’s enactment, there is little evidence to indicate any spiritual change—on earth or in heaven!

Yet, what if God elects to meet you at a baptismal site at a time and place of your choosing! For truly, He does! This is grace in action! God’s omnipresence means that the most obscure pond is no problem for Him. God’s omniscience means that the request of the humblest person is instantly monitored. And Christ has promised to meet the penitent sinner in the watery grave of baptism, bringing forgiveness. And here, the omnipotence of God is in evidence. These following scriptures, from the apostle Paul’s teaching, were noted in our first study: Colossians 2:9: “…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 (Christ) from the dead.” And Romans 6:3-4: “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.” Note that both passages say that Christ is WITH the one being baptized!

Quite accurately then, while baptism in itself does not save, Christ’s promise to be present at each baptism to apply his saving grace means that salvation is found IN baptism! God has determined that the starting point in the new life for all Christians is at their new births, at their baptisms. This is where Christ’s sacrifice of blood washes them from their sin, thus beginning their new lives in the family of God!

15. It is God the Father who administers baptism.

1. Col. 2:12-14having 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. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

16. It is God the Father who works in baptism to forgive our sins.

1. Col. 2:12-14 …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. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

17. In baptism one is raised by God with Christ, that is, to newness of life

a. Col. 2:12having 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.

2. Rom. 6:4We 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.

18 It is in baptism that God gives his Holy Spirit to the obedient believer

1. Acts 2:38And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2. Col. 2:13And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

19. It is in baptism that God cancels the certificate of our condemnation

1. Col. 2:14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

20. It is in baptism that God saves the believers.

1. Mk. 16:16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

21. Salvation is offered through baptism, “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

1. Jesus, as he concludes his ministry on earth, gives his sweeping announcement to his church: Matt. 28:19 “Go therefore into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

2. God, by his mercy, saves disciples in all nations in baptism, i.e. ‘with the “washing of regeneration,” and gains for them the “renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Tit. 3:4.

3. “In the name of” signifies “by the authority of.”

. . .Conclusion:

“Baptism, the moment of God’s grace: twenty-one things that happen at baptism.”

The word “baptism” and its derivatives occur 104 times in the New Testament, according to the concordance that I consulted. In this study, we examined 25 scriptural uses of “baptism,” focusing on God’s grace. Baptism is a big subject in Scriptures, and for our lives! Because the Scriptures teach that every Christian’s life is to begin at baptism, it is a subject that deserves our study, our wonder, our gratitude, and our compliance!