BAPTISM

To: SC First Church Family

From: Pastor Kent

Date: April 1, 2025

Re: Baptism Sunday – April 27

We were surprised recently to discover that we needed to do some signiﬁcant repair work on our baptistry in preparation for the baptismal service scheduled for April 27, 2025. In examining the situation, a couple of the contractors convinced me that I, and anyone who joined me in the baptismal waters, may be making a more immediate trip to heaven than intended – ending our journey right there!

Truthfully, I think those dangers were exaggerated. Regardless, all the problems are rectiﬁed, and the physical environment is rightly prepared for baptism. But I want to make sure we’re not just physically prepared, but that we’re spiritually prepared as well. And not just the candidates for baptism – but all of us!

To do that, let me share a portion of our Article of Faith XII – Baptism, which reads: “We believe that Christian baptism, commanded by our Lord, is a sacrament signifying acceptance of the beneﬁts of the atonement of Jesus Christ, to be administered to believers and declarative of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, indicating their full purpose of obedience in holiness and righteousness.”

When I read this statement, several things are brought-to-mind via 3 key words, highlighted above:

Commanded. Baptism is commanded by Jesus. The Great Commission declares, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) For Jesus, baptism was a high priority. He was baptized and his desire is that we follow his example.

So ﬁrst, I want to appeal to those who have declared themselves followers of Jesus but are not yet baptized. Would you consider saying ‘yes’ to baptism?

Your preparation for this service may mean becoming a candidate for baptism . If God is speaking to you in this way, please reach out to me or another member of the staﬀ so we can discuss your baptism personally. Don’t hesitate in saying ‘yes’!

Sacrament. Baptism is a sacrament. It is an outward expression of God’s divine grace, and a means by which we receive His grace.

Through baptism the Gospel story of forgiveness and new life is told. In Romans 6 the Apostle Paul tells the story of each of us who were ‘dead in our transgressions and sins’ but now, we ‘count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus’… cleansed…washed-clean…made new.

What a story baptism tells! Baptism testiﬁes that we are forgiven by God’s grace! As we attend this baptism service – to those of us who have been baptized – what an opportunity for introspection and thanksgiving. Listen, we shouldn’t come to merely observe the baptism of others, but we come to aﬃrm our own baptism s once again.

Our service will include what we will call "A Reaﬃrmation of Faith". In this ritual, we will not be re- baptized, but we will re-commit ourselves to the earliest and historic vows of baptism : (1) Renouncing and rejecting the evil powers of this world and repenting of sin; (2) Accepting God’s power to overcome temptation; (3) Confessing Christ as Savior and serving Him as Lord; and (4) Remaining faithful members of Christ’s Church.

In preparation for this service, Will you reﬂect on past vows made? Will you be ﬁlled-anew with thanks for God’s grace?

Obedience. Baptism is a public confession that I will follow Jesus in obedience.

One of the great dangers of baptism is that many view it as the culmination… the pinnacle of their faith journey. It’s not! Baptism is the launching-point…not the apex.

Baptism marked the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. And for all those that John baptized, they heard these departing words as their heads came out of the water: “Now, go forth to produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8)

Baptism points to what’s next! It is a means of grace through which we are empowered to live in holiness and righteousness as God designed and desires.

Baptism speaks to a personal commitment to personal obedience.

And then too, there is a corporate…communal obedience that comes into play, as we fulﬁll our combined role, as the Body of Christ, recognizing our responsibility to those who are being baptized. Each member of the Body of Christ is charged with the responsibility of leading, nurturing, protecting, and caring for the new Christian, just as a family would a new infant. It’s our job!

In preparation for this service, ask yourself, as a baptized believer, “How obediently am I following Christ?” And secondly, “Am I fulﬁlling my responsibility within the Church to support and care for new believers…new family members?”

Preparations must be made! The physical preparations have been accomplished. But, what about the spiritual preparations? I pray you’ll come prepared – not to observe – but to fully participate!