We often emphasize what baptism promises for us––the forgiveness of sins, the washing our conscience clean, the gift of a new heart. But we ought also to foreground what baptism promises for Christ.
Baptism is a promise that God gives faith, salvation, forgiveness, and resurrection to those in Christ. But it’s also a promise that God gives everything you are and have to Christ. Your hands, your feet, your silver, your gold. It’s all is His. Jesus lays claim to it all as your King and Sovereign.
These parents are baptized saints, Christ promises all that His redemption purchased for them, but Christ also lays claim on all that is theirs: their child included. This is why we baptize the children of believing parents.
These are citizens of the Kingdom of Christ, and their child enjoys all the glorious blessings which are promised in the Gospel, and must hear all the warnings of the severe curses which accompany unbelief. Christ has laid claim to this home. This man, his wife, their child, and all their possessions belong to Christ and are to be rendered up to the King for His glory and service. This is God’s promise to us and to His Son in the sign of baptism.
So welcome, covenant child, to Jesus Christ.
Leave a Reply