God’s Ark People (1 Peter 3:18-22)

In this passage, Peter highlights the profound work of Christ in His suffering and victory, showing how the gospel reshapes everything—even our understanding of baptism. Jesus, the perfectly righteous one, suffered and died for the unrighteous to bring us to God, demonstrating that salvation is entirely a work of grace. He didn't just die; He was resurrected, triumphing over all spiritual forces.

Peter then connects this victory to the story of Noah, using the flood as a powerful analogy for baptism. Just as Noah and his family were saved through the waters of the flood—not by their own efforts but by trusting in God’s provision—the waters of baptism now symbolize how we are saved, not by physical cleansing, but by the resurrection of Christ after descending to death. Baptism is not a mere ritual; it’s an outward sign of an inward grace, a pledge of a cleansed conscience made possible only through Jesus’ resurrection.

No Crete but Christ (Titus 3:5)

God saved us by His mercy, not our good deeds. The Holy Spirit renews us, showing His grace, not based on what we do. Baptism signifies we belong to God. We don't follow our old ways as Christians. We've been saved from death and raised to new life in Christ.

Otherwise Your Children Would Be Unclean (1 Cor. 7:14)

Paul refers to some children as clean, rather than unclean. Is baptism the cleansing bath? Does baptism make the child clean, or does Paul refer to something more fundamental and traditional? Why does Paul use Old Testament terms like clean and unclean?

And His Entire Household (Acts 16:25-40)

Paul and Silas are put in prison for casting out a spirit of divination. While they are in prison the Lord sends an earthquake. This event opens the doors and knocks the shackles off their limbs. They are free to escape, but they do not leave. Instead, we have record of a jailer being converted. He is converted, baptized, and his entire household. This is very significant in terms of the covenant sign of Baptism.

Why is Christ’s Baptism Stressful? (Luke 12:49-59)

When Christ enters history we expect Christ to bring peace, life, and joy in this age. However, this is not what we see with Christ. Christ speaks of casting fire and creating division. This is the messiah who is supposed to bring the kingdom of peace, shalom, that is a kingdom of wholeness for his people. So, if this is true then why is Christ bringing division on this earth? Secondly, why is Christ so overwhelmed by his baptism?

Repent and Receive the Spirit! (Acts 2:36-39)

Peter uses strong language after his Pentecost sermon. Peter says, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). This sounds as if we repent, then we receive baptism, and then the Spirit is free to work. We say that the Spirit normally works through the preaching of the Gospel. We listen to Peter's exhortation and consider the deeper implications for the sign of Baptism and profession of faith.

Baptism: A Communal Sign (Isaiah 44:1-3; LD 27)

Isaiah, the prophet, speaks of the washing that will go forth. This washing is not just for the adults in the community, but their offspring. The wilderness normally is associated with death, but our Lord will overturn it with life.

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Baptized into Christ (Romans 6:1-4)

The Apostle Paul tells us that we are baptized into Christ. This seems to imply that at the moment of baptism we are brought directly into communion with Christ. If this is the case then how can we baptize infants? We need to read this exhortation in the context of the church. We should note that that covenant and election are not the same thing. Further, the Apostle Paul is simply exhorting us in light of this sign of consecration. Paul’s exhortation is similar to the the prophets exhorting Israel to circumcise their hearts. The Apostle Paul is simply exhorting us to see that we are a people set apart in Christ. Christ has undergone the definitive ordeal of death and he emerged triumphant from the sea. This sign is showing us that we are identified as a community of people in Christ Jesus.

Why is Christ Distressed about Baptism? (Luke 12:49, 50)

We normally think that baptism is a wonderful sign and seal of the Lord's promise. It presents for us the certainty that Christ has endured an eternal punishment, and he has emerged triumphant. The very promise of Genesis 15 is confirmed in Christ's death and resurrection. Christ confirms the promise of the covenant of grace. We think of baptism being this sign of the covenantal promise.

However, Christ is actually anxious about his baptism and he desires to get through his baptism as soon as possible. Why is Christ so concerned about baptism when his father has already pronounced that he is pleased with his son? If Christ is already baptized then what baptism is Christ looking forward to undergoing?

Saved through Baptism? (1 Peter 3:21,22)

Peter tells us, "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you." This is a pretty strong statement as it sounds like this baptism actually gives us the blessings of Christ. However, Peter says after this, "not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." We are those who make a pledge to God and then we are baptized. This sounds like we first profess, and then we receive baptism. However, we notice the precedent is actually quite different. Scripture actually teaches us that first someone professes, and then the household if baptized. How does Noah's flood teach us this very promise?

John’s Baptism or Christ’s Baptism? (Luke 3:1-22; BC 34)

John's baptism is a baptism of repentance closing the old testament canon. Christ's baptism is a baptism that goes to the nations with the gospel. We consider baptism in scripture and what it means in terms of an ordeal. Baptism overlaps the significance of the ordeal, but does that necessarily mean that the application and meaning is always the same?

Christ: Baptized and Circumcised (Colossians 2:11,12; BC 34)

In order for us to baptize infants it is important to see that Circumcision and Baptism point to the same promise. If the signs do not signify the same thing then we should not baptize infants. The Apostle Paul assures that Christ has received the sign of circumcision and baptism. We know that Christ was circumcised at his birth and baptized by John. However, Christ's death and resurrection point to the significance of these signs. How do we know that these signs fundamentally signify the same promise? How do we know that there is a correlation between Baptism and Circumcision?

Baptized in the Sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-5)

The Corinthian church has many problems and the Apostle Paul uses the precedent of the Exodus to exhort the Corinthian church. Paul does not just recall the Red Sea crossing as part of the Exodus, but he refers to it as a "Baptism." This Baptism is a movement from death to life and it warns the church today that just because someone goes through the actions of Christianity they might not have the blessings of Christ. So, why would we want to baptize infants in light of this precedent?

One or Two Baptisms? (Acts 19:1-7; BC 29)

We believe that Baptism is a sign of the covenant and not a sign or our faith. In Acts 19 it appears that the Apostle Paul sees baptism as a sign of faith and the Spirit. In fact, Paul mentions that there are two baptisms. Paul also seems to be saying that we can have faith without the Holy Spirit. What is Paul teaching?

The Promise is for You and Your Children (Acts 2:39; Genesis 17:7)

Peter states that promise is for you and your children. Does this mean that the promise is merely the promise of the Holy Spirit that is shown at pentecost? Is this a promise that goes before before pentecost? What passages could Peter have in mind to show that this promise is more than just pentecost? Ultimately, does this text imply that we are commanded to baptize infan

if you are want to learn more about the argument for infant baptism please check out our page on “Infant Baptism.”

Concluding Implications

This is our seventh and final part of our series on baptism.  We considering some of the things that we have learned and wrap up this series.  If you have any questions please reach out to me through the contact us section on our webpage http://urcbelgrade.com 

Here is a link to the “Introduction to Baptism” playlist.

Correlation of Baptism and Circumcision

This is our sixth part in our seven part series on baptism.  We consider the issue of whether the sign of baptism and the sign of circumcision have a correlation.  It is clear that the shedding of blood is finished in the Old Testament, but what about consecration?  Is there any significance of death?  Is there significance of being consecrated through death?  

Here is a link to the “Introduction to Baptism” playlist.

Circumcision is Spiritual

This is the fifth part of our seven part series.  Some claim that circumcision is a physical sign, for a physical people, and it designates a people tied to a physical land.  The assumption is that the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit is not necessarily symbolized in this sign.  So, is circumcision symbolizing the work of the Spirit?  Is there a spiritual nature to circumcision?

Here is a link to the “Introduction to Baptism” playlist.

Continuity of Baptism and Circumcision

This is the fourth part of our seven part series on baptism.  In this teaching we explore whether there is a correlation between the sign of circumcision and the sign of baptism.  So, is there any continuity between these signs?  If so what could such a correlation imply? 

Here is a link to the “Introduction to Baptism” playlist.

Baby Dedication or Baptism?

This is the third part of our seven part series on baptism.  In this teaching we consider whether baby dedication is a more biblical alternative to baptism.  So, why would we baptize infants if baby dedication may be a potential middle ground? 

Here is a link to the “Introduction to Baptism” playlist.