What is Christian baptism? It is the answer of a good conscience before GOD ( 1Peter 3-21) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A good conscience not because the recipient thereunto has accomplished in themselves the impossible task of putting away the filth of the flesh that they might stand in the presence of GOD. No they confess that they have not put away so much as an ounce of the corrupt nature. Their good conscience is the result of a divine working of GOD toward them and on their behalf through Jesus Christ.

GOD has purged the sinners conscience by the efficacious blood of His eternal SON. (Heb 9vs11-15) This divine initiative of GOD in CHRIST is the ground and bases of clearing the guilty conscience of a condemned sinner. The faithful proclamation of the atoning work of Jesus Christ, His incarnation, His suffering and death, his burial and resurrection is the salvation of all of GOD’S elect. He died for their sins and rose again for their justification according to the scriptures. The whole of this gracious Salvation of the LORD is summed up and signified in baptism, whereby the believing sinner confesses His union with Christ, Who took his place under the just wrath and judgment of GOD, our LORD Himself calling this His baptism, both dying being buried and raised again, the believing sinner, by this is free from the condemnation and punishment of his sin. By Baptism he confesses that he was crucified with Christ that the body of his sins might be destroyed as the apostle puts it . (Rom 6-6 and 6-4)

The answer of a good conscience lies in this fact, that GOD is thoroughly satisfied with Jesus Christ redemptive work on the cross for His people. For by it He has forever put away their sins by the sacrifice of himself, our sins having been inputted to Him. And His righteousness having been imputed to us, we now stand in the presence of Holy GOD with the same FAVOR, LOVE, and ACCEPTANCE as His only begotten SON, without spot or blemish.

We by BAPTISM proclaim all this mystery of His GRACE to be true and ours. This is the answer of a good conscience toward GOD by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Baptism is therefore designed to direct our attention to the GREAT work of our Savior Jesus Christ. Not the Father, nor the Spirit, though all three have their part in the salvation of the elect, Christ Jesus is the object of the Christians faith, and it has pleased God that in Christ all the fullness of the Godhead should dwell. So that both Baptism and the LORD’S supper point to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And the two ordinances of the New Testament Church are to be observed by His people until He comes again (Matthew 28vs19-20) Any other interpretation or directing of their faith in these ordinances is a perversion of the GOSPEL.

Immersion into water is the only proper way to accomplish baptism since baptism is immersion and rightly signifies death and resurrection. The whole world was immersed in the deluge of Noah, the Apostle calling it Baptism and like the sacrifice of the Lamb was first offered by GOD Himself.

The river Jordan was used in the old and new testament for this same purpose and rightly so since by interpretation it means to descend or to sink or to go under.

Naaman the Leper was told to dip entirely 7 times in it. Joshua was told to place twelve stones at the bottom of it when Israel crossed over Jordan into the promise of a new life , both, anticipating the miracle of salvation through Jesus Christ . (2kings 5-14) ( Joshua 4-9)

And finally The GOSPEL testifies our LORD’S annunciation and Baptism in this significant river. (matthew 3-13)

Every child of GOD is therefore enjoined to follow His SAVIOR and LORD in Baptism and service of life. And this they will most happily do in loving response for what CHRIST has done for them. Amen

[Back to Pictures]

Home