Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology, Chapter 49

Baptism

*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple summary chapter by chapter of his book for my own enrichment.*

Grudem starts by pointing out that differences in baptism viewpoints among evangelical Christians is not ground for division among brothers and sisters in the faith.   Grudem encourages a baptistic view, where baptism is for those who give a believable profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

The New Testament example was total immersion.  People were baptized in the river Jordan, and Jesus “came up out of the water,”

The symbolism of dying, being buried, and being resurrected with Christ seems to require immersion.   This goes hand in hand with our sins being washed away.

The New Testament pattern is baptism for professing believers.  This is because baptism is a symbol of the beginning of the Christian life, and should only be given to those who have in fact begun the Christian life.

Paul assumes that baptism is the outward sign of inward regeneration. This cannot be true of infants, as they have not yet come to saving faith or given any evidence of regeneration.

The Catholic viewpoint is that baptism is necessary for salvation, and in itself causes regeneration.  They say, “The faith which infants lack is replaced by the faith of the church.”

Martin Luther’s reformation centered around this issue, that salvation depends on faith alone, not on faith plus works.

Evangelical groups that practice paedobaptism consider those infants as being brought into the covenant community because of their believing parents.

They say that infants were circumcised in the Old Testament, and baptism is a parallel action.  Otherwise we are denying the children the privilege and benefit of having the sign of belonging to the community of God’s people.

Further, there were several “households” that got baptized together, thus furthering their reasoning for infant baptism.

How does one become a member of the church?  It is voluntary, spiritual, and internal.  With saving faith of being born again.

What does baptism do?  Catholics say that it causes regeneration, and Baptists say that it symbolizes the fact that inward regeneration has occurred.  Paedobaptists say that it symbolizes probable future regeneration.

A church which has infant baptism with hopes that those baptized will become Christians, will always have a challenge of non-believers within the church that think that because of their baptism they are believers. 

What is the effect of baptism.

·         Blessing of God’s favor that comes with obedience

·         Joy that comes through public profession of faith

·         Reassurance of having a clear picture of dying and rising with Christ and washing away of sins.

·         To strengthen and encourage our faith.

Baptism is not necessary for salvation, as we can see from the thief next to Jesus on the cross.

Our justification takes place at the point of saving faith, not at the point of baptism.

BUT baptism is necessary if we are to be obedient to Christ.

We should have good fellowship with our evangelical brothers and sisters who differ on this question.

Next week, the Lord’s supper.