Kate's Baptism

Today Kate was baptized by her daddy... a special privilege for sure! Nat did a good job explaining our purpose behind this sacrament during the service, so instead of trying to say it myself, I quote from him:

It is a great joy that we have today to be able to bring in

to the covenant family my own daughter, Kate, by giving to her as a sign and seal, the sacrament of baptism.

Baptism is one of the two sacraments (the other being the Lord's Supper) that Jesus gave us to serve as signs and seals of his covenant of grace.

After God made his covenant with Abraham in Genesis 1

7, saying “And I will establish my covenant betwee

n me and you and your offspring after you...” he gave the sign of circumcision to be given to all male Israelites as a sign and seal of this covenant of grace; serving as a sign to those who were born into the covenant, and sealing the promises of God to all who put their faith in him.

The bloody sign given to Abraham points to the blood Jesus suffered on the cross for the atoning of sins and no longer serves as a picture of what is to come. Therefore, after his death and resurrection, Jesus replaced the sign of the covenant with that of the Baptism of water.

In Acts 2:38-9 Peter, on the day of Pentecost, instructs all to repent and be baptized, and points back to the Covenant promise made to Abraham and his offspring, when he says, “For ​the promise is for you and for your children and for all ​who are far off, everyone ​whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Showing us that just as the children of covenant before Christ received the sign of the covenant, the children of believing parents should receive the sign of membership in the covenant family, and the seal of God's pledge to keep his promise to all those who come to saving faith in

him.

The sacrament of baptism is not a memorial or dedication, but a means of grace and a sign and seal of that grace.

Nor is the sacrament of baptism a washing away of this child's sin, rather it signifies the washing away of sin by Jesus' blood to all who come to faith in Christ.

Neither will Kate become a Christian today, as if it were through this sacrament, rather she will be brought into the covenant family where her faith will be encouraged not only by believing parents, but through a family of believers within the church as a whole.

It is for these reasons that we baptize, and I encourage you, as we administer this sacrament, that you spend time and remember your own baptism and the sign and seal it serves you, allow it to uplift your faith this morning as you remember the work God began in you.

We love you, sweet Kate!!