We gather to administer baptism to an infant – in the view of many sincere Christians we are doing something for which the Bible offers no warrant. What is the meaning of this sacrament and why do we administer it to infants? In writing to the Colossians Paul shows how what we have in Christ is superior to what God’s people in the Old Testament had. Here he applies this to baptism. We consider Colossians 2:11-12 Decoding baptism.
1. The spiritual significance of baptism
In speaking of the Christian’s present position Paul introduces the thought of baptism: ‘buried with him in baptism…’ (v12). This is one way of describing the union of a Christian with his Lord – dying and rising with Christ. We find the same thought in 3:1,3 and Galatians 2:20. Spiritually the Christian has died with Christ and risen to new life. Baptism signified this putting off of the old and putting on of the new: ‘putting off of the body of the flesh’ (v11, lit.). At conversion a spiritual revolution takes place. We now live a life empowered by the risen Christ (Galatians 2:20). This includes cleansing from sin and baptism is an appropriate symbol of this spiritual washing (see John 3:5 and Revelation 7:14). Paul shows the link with circumcision in v11. What does he mean? He shows that Christians have a far superior ‘circumcision’ than OT believers. It is not a mere surgical operation (‘not…done by the hands of men’ v11) but an inward spiritual matter. Even in the OT circumcision was to signify an inward spiritual change – it was not simply a sign of Jewishness. It was ‘a seal of the righteousness [Abraham] had by faith’ (Romans 4:11) – a picture of salvation. Both circumcision and baptism are signs of belonging to the covenant people of God.
2. The outward sign of baptism
The sign of water baptism is to be administered to the covenant people of God. In the case of adults this is on credible profession of faith. It is the sign of entry into the covenant community and into the visible church. Baptism itself does not affect cleansing – 1 Peter 3:21. It is not magical or mechanical. What of children? The link must be made with the OT. There the covenant embraced the children of believers (see Genesis 17 ‘and to your seed’) and they received the covenant sign. NT baptism too recognises a covenant child for what it is – one within the circle of God’s covenant, who belongs among the people of God.
3. The inward reality of baptism
Baptism is a means of grace, bringing strength and blessing, but only when its symbolism is matched by the inward reality of faith and salvation. Hence v12 ‘raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead.’ Baptism pictures God’s promise of cleansing from sin and new life in covenant with him. Our response must be one of faith. Only then does baptism bring blessing. What of covenant children? Faith and subsequent blessing may come at a later time (as they may too in the case of adults). The prayer of the parents and the church must be that God by grace would, in his time, join the outward sign with the inward reality. We have solid grounds in God’s promises to families for praying in faith (but not in presumption). As the child matures it has the duty to believe.