“Between the Lines: But They Won’t Remember”
Romans 6:1-14
My original series from Romans did not include a sermon from Romans 6. I was going to save this chapter for a future baptismal service. But in recent months I have been involved in several important conversations about baptism – some of them with some of you. I concluded that now would be an appropriate time address the topic.
I mourn the fact that two of the symbols Christ gave the church to give her unity – communion and baptism – are often two of the most divisive elements in the church. There’s too much talk about believers baptism vs. immersion baptism vs. infant baptism, etc – as if only one represents the truth. The truth is, all are biblically valid. In Romans 6, Paul puts forth some principles and assurances of baptism, which are important to know if we want a clearer understanding. Since infant baptism seems to be the most attacked position, I want us to see how it flows out of and is supported by Paul’s letter. So let’s jump in!
Why do we baptize infants, anyway? After all, it doesn’t mean anything to the infants. They have no clue as to what’s going on. Certainly they are no different because of baptism; obviously they will not remember the day. For example, how many of you who were baptized as infants, remember your baptism? If it doesn’t change us, if we don’t remember it, why do it? Such are the questions of an age which needs to validate everything on feelings and which values only what can be experienced. So why do it? To put it succinctly, WE BAPTIZE INFANTS BECAUSE IT REMINDS US OF THE ASSURANCES OF GOD. According to our liturgy and the Word of God, infant baptism reminds us of at least three such assurances.
Our first assurance is that we have AN IDENTITY ROOTED IN THE PAST. Our liturgy states that “In baptism God promises by grace alone: To forgive our sins; To adopt us into the Body of Christ, the Church...” In Romans 6 Paul talks about newness of life through baptism (4): “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” The roots of this new life are in Genesis 17 where God makes a covenant with Abraham (17): “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” Luke the Apostle wrote (Acts 2:38-39): “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children ...’” In other words, whatever blessings God provides for his people, are for the children as well. Even as circumcision in the ancient Jewish tradition symbolized that the infant was a full-fledged member of the Jewish community – of God’s people – and thereby would receive all the blessings and privileges associated with the community, so the baptism of infants – as a fulfillment of circumcision – reminds us that God promises the infant will receive all the blessings and privileges associated with the community. That’s why the Liturgy assures us WE ARE ADOPTED INTO THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH. Think for a moment about adoption. To adopt a child today requires money – in fact, it’s a heavy price to pay. It also costs a heavy price for any of us to be adopted into the church: it cost Christ his life. He paid the price. The forgiveness promised to adults extends to our children as well. It is only through forgiveness that any of us can be included in Christ’s family.
In a world which is brutal towards those who do not measure up, which overvalues and over-rewards success, and which over- stresses the importance of the approval of peers, baptism is a refreshing reminder that we belong to God – that we are his children, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. Therefore worldly standards, success, and approval are not what matter most. Our identity comes not from what others say and think, but from what Christ has done. He died once, for all, forever. WE CAN ALWAYS KNOW WHO AND WHOSE WE ARE. As our liturgy reminds us, even “When we fall into sin, we must not despair of God’s mercy, nor continue in sin, for baptism is the sign and seal of God’s eternal covenant of grace with us.” There is no greater lesson children can learn than this. As a brother or sister of Jesus, as a member of the church family, any child can always start again. They are free to fail, free to not measure up, free to reject this love. And they are free to be who they are, children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. Parents must provide children with enough counsel and exposure to life in the church – and this church must so nurture them – that they always have the assurance of this loving acceptance and deeply rooted identity. Then every time they witness baptism, it is a means of grace that reminds them of who and whose they are. Both in the home and in the church, children must be given a sense of belonging to Christ, of being committed and pledged to him, of being protected by him. They won’t remember this day; but may they never forget it! Our identity is rooted in the past!
A second assurance of God which we see in baptism is there is A CONFORMITY ROOTED IN THE PRESENT. We read in our liturgy, “In baptism God promises by grace alone:...To send the Holy Spirit daily to renew and cleanse us...” The Heidelberg Catechism, in its section on baptism, explains the Reformed doctrine by stating: to be washed is to be “...renewed by the Holy Spirit and sanctified as members of Christ, so that we may more and more die unto sin and live in a consecrated and blameless way.” In Romans 6:4&11 Paul wrote, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that...we too may live a new life. ...In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” As the New Living Translation puts it, “So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live to the glory of God through Christ Jesus.”
Here’s the point: infant baptism reminds us that GOD IS CONSTANTLY RENEWING US. God consistently opens up the way of faith for adults and their children. We know, because He promised to do so! Baptism, at any stage in life, whether we like it or not, reminds us that we are bound to Jesus Christ. We have been drafted into his service. As cattle cannot get rid of their master’s brand, so we cannot get rid of the claim of Christ upon our lives. He has eternally bound Himself to us. In baptism we are set on the road. There are really two roads through life, both of which lead to the same destination: a point of deciding for or against Jesus Christ. One road is traveled by the unbaptized, those outside the church. It has no boundaries, no limits, no protection. The traveler is tossed to and fro like a rudderless ship until one day he stands before Christ and must make a decision. The other road is traveled by the baptized. On this road there are buffers, signs, warnings; there is help and assistance; there is protection; there is the influence of the Holy Spirit – until one day this traveler also stands before Christ ready to make a decision. God will never stop working in and on the baptized.
The reality is that we may not always be happy about this ‘divine interference’ in our lives. Children, just like adults, will more than likely go through times of rebellion and questioning, of desiring freedom to be who they want to be and to do what they want to do. And every time they do so they will find their lives in turmoil; God will be at work so their lives will be at cross currents with his. Yet whenever children wrestle, in frustration, with life and faith it is a good sign! It shows that God is, indeed, at work in their lives. The unbaptized never wrestle with such things! The baptized will discover, as most of us have, that GOD WILL NOT LET US GO. But for every time that causes discomfort, there will be a time when it will be the most comforting knowledge our children can have. God will never let them go - no matter what. He will lead and prepare them to make a decision for Him. They won’t remember the day; but in that moment when they stand before Christ and his church to publicly profess their faith, they will not forget it – for it is this baptism which has set them on the road.
A third assurance of God we celebrate in baptism is that there is A SECURITY ROOTED IN THE FUTURE. Again, our liturgy states, “In baptism God promises by grace alone: ...To resurrect us to eternal life.” Paul, in Romans 6:5, wrote “If we have been united with him in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” Our children have the assurance that they will see Christ face to face! Am I saying that this ritual of baptism saves them? Absolutely not – no ritual of baptism saves anyone. But I am saying that GOD IS FAITHFUL. Paul has said, as we have seen, that God will not let us go. As the Heidelberg Catechism (#74) spells it out: “Are infants also to be baptized? Yes, because they, as well as their parents, are included in the covenant and belong to the people of God. Since both redemption from sin ... and the gift of faith from the Holy spirit are promised to these children no less than to their parents...” If they belong to the people of God, if God is going to provide them with the gift of faith, will He not also be sure they do, in fact, make their profession of faith and enter His eternal Kingdom?
This can be a hard belief to hold. It is hard to believe that a rebellious child, or family member, or friend will ever come to profess Christ. Their life simply shows no signs of ever turning towards him. The question is this: is our confidence in that person or in God? Can we believe with Paul (Phil. 1:6): “And I am sure that God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.”? If God has begun a work in the baptized, will He not complete it? Will God keep his promise to some and not to others? Can we believe with Paul (2Tim. 1:12): “...I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.” Through baptism we entrust our children to God. Do we trust him to be faithful? Perhaps baptism does raise the issue of the role of faith – but not the faith of the person or infant being baptized. It raises the issue of our faith. How fully do we trust God? Do we really believe that baptism is not only a sign, but also a seal – that on this ritual God puts his seal, His stamp, His guarantee of protection and ownership? Do we believe that BAPTISM SEALS THE DEAL? Like the seal on a jar or can of food which protects and delivers the food to us in healthy condition, so the seal of baptism guarantees deliverance to the throne of God in healthy condition. Do we dare to believe God? Those of you who are doubting today, because of the lifestyle of a loved one, are you willing to trust that God will keep that which you’ve committed to him? Children will never remember their baptismal day; but throughout eternity, they will never forget it!
I admit I cannot fully explain how baptism does not save a person yet at the same time guarantees God will bring that person to himself. But I also admit that I can believe it – because it is a promise of God. Perhaps it turns on the words of the Psalmist (103:17-18): “But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commands.” Did you catch where the responsibility lies? There is responsibility for God to be faithful, but also for adults – to fear the Lord, to obey his commands. Could it be that we also have a role to play in our children’s salvation? Could it be that the issue is not “Will our children remember their baptism?”, but “Will we?” Our liturgy states, “Through baptism Christ calls us to new obedience: To love and trust God completely; To forsake the evil of the world; and To live a new and holy life.” Here again verses 12-14 of Romans 6: “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Perhaps we should not worry so much about our baptized children as about ourselves. If our children’s salvation depended on us (and I’m glad it does not), would they be saved? In the end, God’s finger points to us. So let us love and trust God completely, forsake the evil of the world and live a new and holy life – so all our children, who will not remember their baptism, will never forget it.
