Sacrament of Baptism

April 25, 2021

 

Prayer

We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are made regenerate by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

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Introduction

1. What is a sacrament?

   1. A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.

   2. Form and Matter

      1. Form i.e. words

      2. Matter i.e. that which underlines the sacrament

   3. Sacraments are for our use, they give us confidence that God has acted, they are concrete promises we can bank on.

   4. Sacraments work “ex opera operato” meaning by the work worked.

      1. We do this, God does that.

      2. Not based on the merits of the minister.

   5. Sacraments are for the living here on earth, no sacraments for the dead or in heaven.

2. The Church holds to 7 total sacraments, What are they? What are their order?

   1. Baptism (Entrance into the Faith)

   2. Confirmation (Strengthening of the Faith)

   3. Eucharist (Growing in the Faith)

   4. Confession (Correcting the Faith)

   5. Anointing of the Sick (Finishing the Faith)

   6. Marriage (Uniting two Faiths)

   7. Holy Orders (Raising up leaders of the Faith)

3. Our Anglican Faith breaks these down into two groups

   1. Sacraments of our Lord i.e. Dominical Sacraments generally necessary for salvation.

      1. Baptism

      2. Eucharist

   2. Sacraments of the Church i.e. Ecclesiastical Sacraments given for our life together.

      1. Confirmation

      2. Confession

      3. Anointing

      4. Marriage

      5. Holy Orders

      6. “so called sacraments” old English for simply saying “that’s what they are” Christmas day preface as example of this language. Article 25.

Baptism

Bible References

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’ Acts 22:16

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16

21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 3:21

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. Acts 16:31-33

Our Creed also speaks to baptism saying “We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins”

1. Form and matter

   1. Matter: Water by Immersion, Infusion, or Sprinkling

   2. Form: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

2. Grace conferred.

   1. Death to sin and a new birth to righteousness, through the union with Christ in his death and resurrection.

   2. Cleansed of original and actual sin

   3. Made acceptable to the Father by being incorporated into Christ through the Holy Spirit

   4. Made a member of his Body, the Church.

   5. Infused with sanctifying grace, grace to become holy.

   6. Receives the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love.

   7. The building block for the other sacraments and the Christian life.

      1. None of the other sacraments are effectual without first having received baptism.

   8. Leaves an indelible mark on the soul. A person can only be baptized once. Cannot ever lose this.

3. Based on Faith

   1. Faith of the person or of their sponsor.

   2. A free gift given by God

4. The normative way of Salvation, you need to be baptized to go to heaven.

   1. Exceptions

      1. Baptism by Blood

      2. Baptism by Desire

5. Who can administer Baptism?

   1. Normally the bishop, priest, or deacon.

   2. Anyone can baptize, in an emergency.

6. Why do we baptize infants?

   1. Because it is a sign of God’s promise that they are embraced in the covenant community of Christ’s Church. Those who in faith and repentance present infants to be baptized vow to raise them in the knowledge and fear of the Lord, with the expectation that they will one day profess full Christian faith as their own. Having the Holy Spirit working in our children is a benefit.

   2. What about faith in Christ? Belief in our Lord’s resurrection is an outgrowth of baptism, an expected outcome of being baptized. Baptism is not a get out of hell free card. The person baptized still needs to have faith and follow Christ. Whether you believe then are baptized or if you are baptized then believe, the outcome is the same, whoever believes and is baptized willed be saved. There does not have to be a dramatic moment of conversion normally typified in the saying “have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior?” There can be Christians who have no memory of ever being “lost” or without Christ.