The first time we read about baptism in the Bible is when we meet this strange guy named John the Baptizer. John understands himself not only to be a prophet (a view shared by many people of his day) but as the one who would prepare the way for the coming Kingdom of God. His preparation of others for the Kingdom consisted of preaching and baptizing (immersing) for the remission of sins. This type of baptizing was something completely new to the Jewish community. While the Jews had their ritual baths (mikveh), these were used to either prepare persons to go into the Temple for particular rituals or to insure that women were clean after menstruation. The idea of a onetime immersion for the forgiveness of sins was unheard of. Even so, thousands, including Jesus, were baptized by John.
The church took this idea of a onetime baptism and modified it immediately after Easter. The modifications were two-fold. The first modification was that the baptism would no longer be a preparation for the coming Kingdom. The disciples believed that since the resurrection initiated the in-breaking of God's Kingdom baptism would then be a sign of entry into that Kingdom. The second modification was that baptism was done either in name of Jesus, or in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The scriptures indicate that most of the initial baptizing done by the church was in the name of Jesus, and not the Trinity. The Trinitarian formula was a later addition.
With this as background we move to what we as Presbyterians believe about baptism. Our constitution (based on our confessional documents) tells us several things about baptism. We will look at them one at a time. Baptism signifies:
The faithfulness of God: this underlies all the other concepts about baptism. In other words baptism is reminder that God calls and claims us, rather than our calling and claiming God. It is God who acts first, last and always. The waters of baptism are the sign that God is faithful to God's claims.
The washing away of sin: remembering that there is nothing magical about baptism (it is not spiritual medicine that cures us from sinfulness) it is a reminder that God forgives our sins out of God's own grace, rather than us becoming good enough to be forgiven. The waters of baptism are a sign of God's freely given gracious forgiveness.
Rebirth: baptism reminds us that in Christ we have become new people by the work of the Holy Spirit. Even as infants we believe that Spirit is already making the children of believers, children of God in a new and unique way. The waters of baptism are a sign that we have been made spiritually new.
Putting on the fresh garment of Christ: one of the great Biblical images is that believers have been given new "Jesus" clothing. This new clothing means we have become Jesus people who are to live lives of love and compassion. The waters of baptism are a sign that we are now to live in a new way.
Being sealed in God's Spirit: a seal is a mark that the thing sealed belongs to the one whose seal is affixed (like a letter that is sealed with a wax seal). The waters of baptism are a sign that we have been sealed by the Spirit and thus belong to God.
Adoption into the covenant family of the church: baptism is administered by the church in the presence of the church family (we Presbyterians do no private baptisms) because baptism is the community claiming us, and not us seeking private membership. The waters of baptism are the sign of our incorporation into Christ's mystical body.
Resurrection and illumination in Christ: baptism symbolizes our "death" to the old life and our being "raised" to a new life through Christ. In addition because we are raised to a new life we become capable of understanding who Jesus is and what Jesus wants us to do (this is the illumination). The waters of baptism are the sign that we are new resurrection people.
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