Message: One Baptism
Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.
What the Lord is Saying: This lesson ends 8 lessons on the sacrament of baptism. I conclude so far that baptism is not salvific. It remains a sign of the covenant God made with His people to be separate and distinct from all of the people on the earth. The practice of it is required for every believer in Christ. I don't believe it is something that we can simply make an option, and it needs to be done soon after trusting in Christ as Savior and Lord or repenting of our sins. Because it is no salvific I think it can be done at any time in a person's life. Believing parents can have their children do this as a sign again of God's covenant and the father commissioning his family to serve the Lord. Peter did mention baptism for the remission of sins but I think this is a confirmation of that act that Jesus did on the cross and I do not think baptism saves a person from their sins. I think the act of baptism is very powerful and unites us with Christ and his death and resurrection. It provides the believer in Christ clear meaning of God regenerating His people for Himself and choosing them to be His. It is Spirit that purifies us but it is the act of baptism which also confirms this work of the Spirit.
Today's verse remembers the oneness meaning that we have and the Unity which we possess. When Paul addresses unity to the Ephesians he remarks on:
One Body and One Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6).
It is noteworthy that baptism is included here. The words expressed here speak of unity. But they also speak of singularity. We do not have multiple bodies, but one. There are not multiple Spirits, but one. Our calling is by God and does not occur multiple times in regards to our salvation. And so does baptism occur multiple times?
Tabletalk tells a story example of this and gives the idea that it is a one time thing as multiple baptisms give the idea of regeneration or salvation occurring multiple times. This is confirmed in the Westminster Confession of Faith. The idea is baptism is about God and not for man necessarily and its validity is not after a profession of faith.
I guess I don't mirror this stance. I think it can be once, but if the person feels like it is needed again, then this seems fine. Perhaps a pastor needs to share from the pulpit a message so as to not bring about confusion. Salvation is once.
Summary: We are united with Christ in baptism. Baptism presents a picture of unity and I believe as a command it can be more than once if the person sees a value in this.
Promise: Salvation is entirely by God's grace. Water baptism does not regenerate us. But it provides a powerful picture of this and it is something we do out of obedience.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for teaching me through Your Word and helping me understand you better. I continue to define my faith and beliefs. Thank you for that process to learn. I pray that baptism will always glorify You and help us understand further you setting us aside. Help people in my life, in my family better understand the importance of this practice. Specifically, I pray for Brandon that you would help him see the need to be baptized.
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