Sacrament of Holy Baptism
As taught in the Reformed / Presbyterian tradition
Baptism as the sign and seal of the covenant of grace, administered to believers and their children.
Welcome to this comprehensive study on the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. In our modern, often individualistic age, we sometimes struggle to grasp the profound communal and covenantal weight that the early church and the Reformers placed upon this sacred water-sign. For the Reformed tradition, baptism is far more than a public declaration of a private decision; it is a visible word, a "sign and seal" of the covenant of grace that God has established with His people. It is a moment where the promises of the Gospel are, as it were, washed into our very skin, reminding us that our salvation rests entirely upon the objective work of Christ and the faithful initiative of God.
By the end of this lesson
- Articulate the biblical relationship between Old Testament circumcision and New Testament baptism.
- Explain the Reformed definition of baptism as a 'sign and seal' of the covenant of grace.
- Defend the practice of paedobaptism (infant baptism) using covenantal continuity.
- Interpret the spiritual significance of being 'buried with Christ' in the baptismal waters.
- Evaluate the role of the Holy Spirit in making the sacrament efficacious for the elect.
- Describe the communal responsibilities of the church in nurturing baptised members.
- Contrast the Reformed view of baptism with Baptist, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic perspectives.
Scripture
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