God’s grace is always worth signalling and celebrating. From the earliest times believers have had a public sign: baptism. Jesus modelled baptism (Matthew 3:13) and commanded it (Matthew 28:19). On this basis, baptism has been the practise of Christian people since Christ ascended and will be until He returns. Already this year we’ve had the opportunity to point to God’s mercy with baptisms in the church building and in Wollongong Harbour. At the end of this month, we’ll celebrate His grace with a Baptism and Confirmation Service (at 7pm on Sunday 25 August).
What’s Baptism all about?
To make the celebration clear: Baptism is a public exhibition of Union with Christ. The word comes from a Greek word for ‘washing, cleansing, immersion’. Our form involves water – though the water itself and amount isn’t the point. It’s the spiritual reality that matters.
In 1 Corinthians 10:2, the Israelites in Moses time were baptised in the cloud and sea – and stayed dry! What their baptism pointed to – thousands of years before the cross – was their union with Christ (10:3). The focus of baptism isn’t on us and our faith, but a sign and testimony to God and His gracious work. Baptism signals inner cleansing and the remission of sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:25-27); it testifies to the Holy Spirit’s regeneration, His gift of new life (Titus 3:5) and ongoing presence guaranteeing eternal life (1 Corinthians 12:13). The focus isn’t on us and our faith – because salvation isn’t a work, but a gift. His gift means ‘united to Christ’ all that’s His is ours (Romans 6:3-7). To be baptised in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit is to be placed under the control and direction of the Triune God.
The ‘sign’ both strengthens and confirms our faith
As an Anglican Church, the ’39 Articles of Religion’ (or statements of what we believe) summarise the importance of this sign:
‘Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened, but is also a sign of Regeneration or new Birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of the forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed; Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.’
Article XXVII (27)
Being ‘just a sign’, baptism itself doesn’t save anyone. The thief on the cross who turned in faith to Christ entered paradise without the sign (Luke 23). Simon Magus received the sign but lacked a regenerate heart (Acts 8:13-14). But even as a ‘mere sign’ – it has the power to strengthen faith. As Article XXV (25) says of sacraments (the Lord’s Supper and Baptism):
‘Sacraments ordained of Christ be not only badges or tokens of Christian men’s profession, but rather they be certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace, and God’s good will towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our Faith in him.’
Article XXV (25)
The sign doesn’t force God’s hand – but it powerfully and tangibly testifies to God’s grace in saving sinners. In a baptism service, even those not receiving the sign at that time are encouraged by the public testimony of God’s willingness to give new life in Christ.
Baptism at St Michael’s
We welcome believers who’ve never been baptised to publicly declare the goodness of God. So we baptise as people request, and organise baptism/confirmation services to give opportunity. Those who were baptised as infants can own these promises themselves through confirmation and verbalise their gratitude for God’s work. (Infant Baptism is the normal Christian practise through the ages where Baptism is more a sign of God’s work than our faith, and believers’ children are welcomed as Kingdom members not outsiders until they are of age). Those from other traditions can also use confirmation as an expression of their membership of this church.
Whenever some are baptised, it’s a chance for us all to prayerfully support them and be powerfully reminded of God’s own work in ‘saving a wretch like me’. All praise to God!
In Him,
Mark Smith
Senior Minister | Congregational Pastor 8am & 7pm
Learn more about baptism & thanksgiving here. Please get in touch with one of our pastoral staff any time to express interest in being baptised.
