Dear Baptized Ones,

We have the privilege this Sunday of witnessing the baptism of Eamon Jolly. This is a wonderful opportunity for those of you who have been baptized to reflect on and improve your baptism. The Larger Catechism Q. 167 is instructive and helpful to us in this regard as it addresses how our baptism is to be improved by us:

A. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others; by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein; by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace; and by endeavoring to live by faith, to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ; and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.

The first thing that we are called to do to improve our baptism as we witness the baptism of another is to give thanks for all that baptism represents. According to Romans 6:1-3, baptism represents Jesus Christ’s work on our behalf to take on the shame and guilt of our sin as well as the fullness of the resultant wrath of God. The glorious result is that we would not taste of the wages of and judgment of our sin in eternal death. This is truly worthy of our thanks and ongoing celebration of the grace of God as displayed in the person and work of Christ! Spend some time in prayer praising God and giving thanks for the gracious gift of His Son given for your redemption and reconciliation to Him.

The second thing that we are to do to improve our baptism is to apply what it represents in our lives. Paul continues in Romans 6:4-11 with the further benefits of baptism that represents our rising to newness of life in Christ’s resurrection. It is this new reality that grants us the assurance and ability to combat our sin and live a life that is pleasing to God. The fruit of our baptism should be evident and real in our lives. This is a grand time to take stock of these things as we bear witness in this sacrament. If you are struggling with assurance, some particular sin, or whether you are walking in newness of life, take the time to remember your baptism looking to the person and work of Christ as the means of redemption and renewal and apply it to your life in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The last thing that serves to improve our baptism is to consider how we are walking with and working with other baptized ones for the glory of God and the purity of the Church. Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 that our baptism unites us in Christ in a unique way that should have a profound effect on how we relate to one another. We should take time to think through how we are relating to and building one another up. If there is any issues of unity between you and another brother or sister in Christ, take this opportunity to pray for and seek out reconciliation as made possible by the costly death and glorious resurrection of Christ.

One final note to parents of children of baptized children: Take this opportunity to remind your children of their baptism and explain its benefits in the Gospel. This is a major benefit to our ongoing obedience to the sacrament of baptism.

In Christ, Cameron