Friday, May 29, 2015
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
PETER'S PENTECOST SERMON: THE TRUE BELIEVER BAPTISM
Upon hearing the question, "What shall we do?" Peter responds by pointing the people to a way that God dispenses His grace and forgiveness through the Holy Spirit: Baptism. The people had already heard the Gospel in Peter's preaching but now he gives them something they can see and feel. This is the purpose of the sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. In them God tangibly expresses the forgiveness of sins so that we may better recognize and cherish what Christ has already accomplished for us.
Given the great gift that Baptism is it's sad to see that the world, and particularly Christians, are so divided on its purpose. Many Christians teach and confess that Baptism is meant only for those who have already come to faith. This is often called "Believer Baptism." When understood this way, Baptism is no longer viewed as a sacrament through which God imparts forgiveness. Instead, it is thought of as nothing more than a confession of faith and a nice picture of God's forgiveness.
But Peter leaves no doubt as to what Baptism is. Faced with such an important question, why would Peter tell the people to express their faith through a mere symbol? Would that provide much comfort?
Not really. The only comfort in the midst of questions about sin is Christ's forgiveness. Peter points his hearers to this power -- the power of Christ as wielded and gifted by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel in Baptism.
What seems simple to human eyes is in reality astounding. Baptism in Christ's name takes sin away and seals with the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Peter would later write that "Baptism saves you. Not by the removal of dirt, but by the cleansing of your conscience before God" (1 Peter 3:21).
This is a true "Believer Baptism." Not a confession of faith. Not a baptism of affirmation. Not a baptism made effective by the believer. Instead, a Baptism that ignites faith. A Baptism that is founded on the Holy Spirit's power. A Baptism that creates believers through the Gospel.
