The Doctrine of Baptism (Acts 16:1-10) - A Sermon by R.C. Sproul

[@heatherkay5924]

Thankyou. From a believer who was baptized as an infant.

[@sallyeblen7032]

Thanks for sharing.

[@jessyjonas4988]

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5

[@matshadi1999]

I've heard arguments/ sermons on both sides of this topic; and I've been made to feel like I need to get baptised as an adult and the other sermon made me feel like being christened as a baby, though it wasn't my choice, was okay since I'm a believer now as an adult. So I'm still confused.

[@inswasticahyani216]

I can totally relate to your confusion but in my case this sermon is a confirmation of my doubt. I'm weighing to be a member of a church that doesn't acknowledge infant baptism. I was baptised as an infant but this church I grew in also required me to have a 'confession dei' when I came of age (like a confirmation in the Lutheran tradition). It was even more than that as before the confession I had to follow a series of catechism course kind of thing. It was making sure that I understood what having christian faith about, the gospel etc. Besides I was already born again christian before the confession. So was feeling uneasy with the fact that I might have to be baptised as adult. And as the church I want to be member of clearly states it's a sign (not the saving act per Dr. Sproul's point). So I'm strengthened by this sermon and understand more the arguments/principles surrounding baptism. I hope you find clarity and answers to your confusion

[@neilarom2975]

An honest question from a student of R.C. Sproul. Is it proper for us to relate circumcision with water baptism? That if the Jewish practice circumcision (Jewish culture-believer or non-believer-identity from other nation) at infancy that we are also assume that we could also practice it to water baptism (commanded to believers to teach and do to fellow believers and not to non-believing)?

[@marklangman2934]

Baptism was a sign of new life of a believer. The text just doesn’t bear up with Dr. Sproul is saying about baptism

[@jessyjonas4988]

“And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 3:21

[@jdaze1]

Works of the flesh profits nothing. Water baptism is not what John or Jesus was teaching. It's absolutely useless and waste of time. We are to be washed in the water of the WORD which is spiritual renewal.

[@septemberbabydoll]

If the sign of faith was circumcision for the male what was the sign for the female?

[@jessyjonas4988]

This is the exact text that is being preached on the radio Is there a calendar 😮

[@xyberfunk]

What radio? Can you please be more specific friend? Thank you

[@stuartjohnson5686]

1 Corinthians 10:2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, That included men, women and children Acts 16:15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. Acts 16: 30 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

[@neilarom2975]

Thank you for this. Will look into it.

[@bryanmadonna]

Every example of baptism in the New Testament, whether it was John's baptism or Christ's baptism, was of those making a profession of faith, regardless of the age of the recipient. Every commandment related to baptism, emphasizes faith/belief as a corresponding attribute. The circumcision that signified one entering the Old Covenant was given at physical birth and was the responsibility of the parents. The baptism that signifies one entering the New Covenant is to be given at spiritual rebirth and is the responsibility of the believer.

[@OhItsJustDrew]

What about the household of the jailer, did it say they all professed faith? And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. (Acts 16:33, ESV)

[@bryanmadonna]

​@@OhItsJustDrew,​ yes, the text speaks of their faith in verses 31 & 34: "So they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household'...Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household." Verse 32 declares that Paul and Silas "spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house." Paul elsewhere declared to the Romans "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Notice that the jailer was instructed to believe along with his whole household and that, by the end of the story, he and his household, having heard the Word of the Lord, were described as believers. Everyone who was baptized was a confessing believer.

[@OhItsJustDrew]

@@bryanmadonna I’m sure that everyone who could understand at the time believed in his household, It doesn’t explicitly say that they all understood it’s just says they spoke the word of the lord to all who were in his household and yet they were all baptized. But regardless of what this text says. The Presbyterian view doesn’t hinge on this verse but yet looks to the old testament and the rest of scripture. We would argue that it is the sign of the covenant and that from where circumcision was removed baptism was placed. Which has been the orthodox view for 1700 years. I was raised a Baptist and I never was presented with the Presbyterian view, I wouldn’t argue that my experience changes what is true. But we must look at what glorifies God the most. From the whole word of God not just the New Testament. So therein our Baptist brothers as we are brothers are the ones who have the explaining to do. What do you think the old testament has to say about this?

[@bryanmadonna]

​@@OhItsJustDrew, when what you are choosing to do is *not* prescribed by the Scriptures, then you are the one who has the explaining to do. It's not a single reference from the New Testament that supports believer's baptism. Instead, whether it is the giving of the commandment to baptize or any of the several examples of baptism shown, all references to water baptism in the New Testament includes the attribute of personal faith in the one being baptized. The distinction between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant's administrations is that the former emphasizes the physical while the latter emphasizes the spiritual. The physical birth and entrance into the Old Covenant required a sign and seal by a circumcision (of the males only) made by hands. The spiritual rebirth and entrance into the New Covenant are signified by baptism (for all) and sealed by a circumcision not made by hands (again, for all) but by the Holy Spirit.

[@gerritvandehaar1747]

In addition to Sproul's comments, please consider the following: Jews were extremely privileged AND proud to be in covenant with God. Children included! Think of the following, please; IF the apostles did away with that covenant, the Jews would have revolted, but no recordings of that in the N.T. and logic to accept that they saw infants being baptized as being in that same covenant, though with a different outward sign. The Bible speaks volumes by its silence on it.