This morning a group of men from Grace Baptist Church gathered over coffee and bagels to discuss one of the two ordinances of the New Testaments church – baptism. I chose the topic, not intending to get into a protracted discussion on what baptism is, and why believers are to receive the sign. I wanted to discuss how baptism can strengthen our faith. The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith describes baptism this way:
Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized, a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into him; of remission of sins; and of giving up into God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.
Baptism is a sign. A sign describes or points towards something. Baptism points towards our fellowship with Christ and our sharing in His death and resurrection. It points to the fact that we are engrafted into him, and of the remission of our sins. Lastly, it signifies that we walk in newness of life in Christ. If these important facts are forgotten after our baptism they are forgotten to our harm.
Here is a post I made last November on this very topic. I hope it encourages your faith.
