“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.“
Romans 6:1-4
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October 2, 2025
Throughout history, Christians have frequently debated the topic of baptism. Baptism may be a means of grace on a spiritual level, but it has also been a source of conflict on a human level. What’s it all about?
There are those who view baptism primarily as a means of grace or a sacrament who tend to encourage infant baptism. The question arises, why withhold God’s grace from our precious children? The thought is that just as children were graphed into the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, so our children are graphed into the new covenant of Jesus.
Then there are those who view baptism as an act of obedience or ordinance, who baptize those who have made a public declaration of salvation and discipleship with Jesus. Just as the crowds came to John to be baptized in repentance, so in our baptism we choose to die to ourselves and be raised with Christ.
While a disagreement about baptism throughout different denominations might have tension, several times throughout church history, the disagreement has turned deadly: widespread oppression, violence, ritual drowning, and even burning at the stake. All because of differing views on baptism! Phew! Whatever God’s preferences are on this issue, I feel confident they are not best represented through violence.
Without a doubt, my favorite moments at WBC have been during baptism services. With our heads tilted up to the screens and baptistry, we hear stories of boys and girls, women and men who met Jesus, and everything changed. Down into the water they go in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Up they come again, soaking wet, shaking with joy, received into this family of believers—us—that surrounds them.
What a moment of God’s grace poured out. This is for us all.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- Have you been baptized? Why did you choose that—or choose not to?
- What does baptism mean for you?
- What is the grace you have found in your own baptism, or in someone else’s?
Church Reading Plan: 1 Kings 4-5; Ephesians 2