Quote:
Originally Posted by smhbbag  Rev. Buchanan, I have questions regarding the "sealing" function of baptism, in your view.
You responded to Martin's question references Romans 6:5 and Colossians 2:11-12 which, as you certainly know, do not use the word "seal."... |
Jeremy,
Let's not commit the word-concept fallacy now, bro. If we think about what a seal is or does, we see that it is an attestation by
someone and a guarantee. It is the oath of the God of the promise.
Randy asked: "Where does the scripture say that baptism seals us in the promise of the Gospel?" Actually, the exact language of the HC is "seal to us the promise of the Gospel," but I take it that is his reference.
How am I going to answer his question? Like a Presbyterian. Baptism is a wordless gospel (which is why it needs explanation). It is the promise of God to save all those who come to Christ in faith, to justify them, to give them Christ's righteousness.
Rom 6:5 says believers are united to Christ in his death, which as the previous verse states is symbolized by baptism--our point of departure from the old life, into the new. So Holy Spirit ingrafts a believer to Christ the vine, uniting him. That's what he does in his realm; the church just acts in accordance with him, by dint of her limited vision, according to his ordinance.
Col 2:11-12, just makes the connection of baptism to circumcision (denied by many baptists, I know), and circumcision was God's seal/oath/guarantee of the righteousness Abraham had by faith, Rom. 4:11--
so that he would be the father of
all the believers.
To you first comment, what the
church does in "sealing" CAN be "broken," because what the church does has to do with a worldly, fallible administration. You're right, its not a very good seal. Fortunately, it's not the seal that counts, namely God's. And he never makes a mistake, and seals someone he isn't taking to heaven.
How do I justify this usage? Well, I say that God gives his covenant sign that name. He gave it to circumcision, that outward sign in the OT, which was supposed to be emblematic of a Spirit-wrought regeneration. The same Spirit regenerates in the NT too, with this advantage: HE actually comes to dwell in all believers he regenerates, a presence vastly superior than that which OT saints enjoyed.
He is said to "baptize" believers with his presence,
falling on them,
poured out on them. So, Eph 1:13 simply focuses on the Spirit-reality that the mundane is supposed to symbolize. He is the real deal; the water of baptism is an emblem. Nevertheless, the Bible speaks of the emblem using the same language as the reality, to reinforce the teaching embedded in the symbol, to reinforce the connection.
I'll just leave it at that, and you can ask me for more clarification if you want it.
Peace.