Hebrews 6:1-3
Verse 2 …instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
We closed our time together yesterday with the thought of baptism being one of the foundation stones of our faith and as we look at the topic a little deeper we will understand how much we need to have this basic teaching firm in our lives. Knowing the basis of our faith is important and knowing what our baptism is and what it isn’t is about as basic as it gets.
The Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that baptism doesn’t wash away our sins (Q & A 72). It should be obvious why this is one of the basic teachings of the Church because it is a reminder how we aren’t in control of our salvation. The answer shows how we can only depend on the work of the Lord. Just as the person receiving a gift doesn’t choose if they are going to receive a gift, we are in no position to say we want His gift. Gifts are freely given by the giver and our salvation is given by Christ.
The early Church would have understood this concept a bit easier than we may because they knew they had no claim to their own circumcision and yet they knew it marked them as God’s people. In the same way, when our parents brought us forward for baptism it was done for us with no effort of our own. He was making a covenant with us, assuring us of His love and grace.
Does this mean everyone who has been baptized is one of His children? No. Just as both Esau and Jacob were circumcised but were not both called by God to be part of His holy people, He has called some of the baptized to be His own and others He has rejected. It is all about His choice, if it wasn’t, we would never choose Him because our hearts are not naturally inclined to Him and so we would be eternally lost.
The truth is, circumcision was a hidden sign of God’s covenant with His people but baptism is a visual sign of His new covenant with His people. This sign is because He wants people to know we are His people. Our actions should have us labeled as His people with no doubt if it is true, a mark of His ownership on our lives. This is part of the reason we promise to raise our children in the fear of the Lord when we baptize them. Yes, God chooses who He calls and we raise our children to be able to live into that life.
Making It Personal
What choices do you make in life which prove your covenant with God? What choices do you make which would have people doubting you are in covenant with God? How do you view your covenant with Him?
Making It Personal Kids
What does covenant mean? How does living like Jesus wants you to, show you are in a relationship with Him? Do you live in a way that others know you love Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, we may not have been aware when we were baptized but we thank You for our being brought into covenant with You. Help us live like You want us to so we are bearing Your mark wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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