One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

BAPTISM

   What is it and why do we do it? In a short space of print I will attempt with God’s help to answer not in full but in part.

   First, baptism is one of two sacraments recognized within the Reformed Faith. Sacrament comes from the Latin word “sacramentum” which was an oath that a Roman soldier took to show his allegiance to the emperor. The other sacrament that we recognize is the sacrament of Holy Communion sometimes referred to as “The Lord’s Supper.”

   Baptism, for people of the Reformed Faith is a continuation of the Old Testament rite of Circumcision. In the Old Testament circumcision was a sign given by God to Abraham indicating that the male infant was now marked as being a member of God’s family. Females were admitted to God’s family through the male. Christians within the Reformed faith see baptism as a carry over into a new covenant of the Old Testament rite of circumcision. Infants of course do not remember the day of their admission into God’s family. The vows taken at baptism are taken by the parents on behalf of the child. They promise to bring the child up in the nurture and love of the Lord. NOW, when a baptized child reaches an age of understanding (early teens) hopefully they will want to take ownership of their parents vows made at their baptism by making a profession of faith and joining a Christian Church. They do not have to be re-baptized. The Bible states quite clearly in Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” At the time of their profession of faith he/she should rejoice that the sign given at their baptism has come to fruition. 

   What about something called; “believers baptism?”  Believers baptism is the baptism of one who as a young person or adult has made a profession of faith and is then baptized. As an adult they were able to take responsibility for the vows themselves. However, believers baptism does negate infant baptism. In the Holy Scripture it states that whole households were baptized and we believe that in those households there were indeed children. Christians within the Reformed Faith believe in believers baptism and infant baptism. However, many outside the Reformed Faith believe only in Believers Baptism. Christian parents should not wait for their child to experience “believers baptism” but rather have the “sign and seal” that is offered in infant baptism bestowed upon their child while they are of a young age.

   With regard to the method of baptism being the “sprinkling of water” or “immersion” it makes no difference. As one of the early fathers of the Reformation said; “whether it be a thimble full or a bucket full it makes no difference. The importance lies not in the amount of water but what the water symbolizes.” The water in baptism symbolizes the blood of Christ which washes away our sins. All humans at birth came into the world carrying Adam’s fallen sinful nature with them.

Rev. John Fraser

Solid Rock

   The term “rock” is often used in Holy Scripture to describe; security, trustworthiness and dependability. When Jesus asked his disciples who others said He was they replied, “John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Jesus then asked them; “But who do you say that I am?” It was Peter who replied; “Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah for flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you but my father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  Upon Peter’s confession as to who Jesus was, God would build his church. When God’s gathered people (the church) continue to confess the identity of Christ and when they live by that confession there is security, trustworthiness and dependability. God’s confessing church is like a solid rock upon which the gates of hell cannot prevail. BUT, what happens when people gathered do not confess and live by the identity of Christ as confessed by Peter?

   When Jill and I vacation in Florida we worship in a church called, Solid Rock Presbyterian Church. Solid Rock is located in Leesburg and worshippers meet in a community hall. The fellowship of believers is not large but they are faithful and they warmly welcome those who believe in and adhere to the confession of Peter. They belong to a larger branch of the Presbyterian Church known as Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Solid Rock does not have a long history but the faith upon which they stand does. You see, the good people of Solid Rock came out of a larger denomination when that denomination began to drift away from the confession of faith as lived and taught by the disciples. They don’t have the big building now, they don’t have the numbers and as John (their minister) will tell you; “we don’t have the high tech stereo recording equipment that we once enjoyed.” Yes, they had to give up a number of frills but the one thing they refused to give up was the faith confessed by Peter. They were willing to stand up for what was right even when the opposite was more popular. They would not allow the faith once and for all delivered to the saints to be compromised by the standards of a society that is trying desperately to be accommodating to all. Their stand has cost them but they will survive because their faith is built on the Solid Rock.  Should your travels ever take you near the Leesburg area of Florida please drop by and worship with them on a Sunday morning. The people of Solid Rock meet in the Leesburg Community Building, (9:30am) 109 East Dixie Avenue, next to the Pat Thomas Ball Field.

   Please remember and pray for this community of faith who are looking for a site upon which to build and expand their ministry.

By Rev. John Fraser