Come Sojourn with Us
This is where you will find sermons and updates for our church. Our mission is to preach expository sermons focusing on the gospel of Christ. We are a church that is tied to the reformed tradition and seeks to submit to the scriptures so we walk in the Lord’s wisdom rather than our own.
We would love to have you join us on our Christian sojourn if you are in the Belgrade, MT area. If you are not in area then join us by listening to our bi weekly free sermon podcast.
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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.
#waterbaptism #Infantbaptism #baptism
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.
As human beings we have a tendency to be sentimental and make our judgements based upon our own bias. We can think that cute infants are unstained from sin because they are too adorable to be sinful. The harsh truth is that we are all sinners from conception. We are all estranged from God because of Adam's rebellion in Eden. If this is true, then how can we take comfort in the tragedy of infant death or a miscarriage? If infants are sinners before the Lord does that mean they are condemned to hell if they die in infancy? How does the covenant of grace give us rich comfort to console us in the midst of infant death?
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.
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.
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.
This is the second part of our seven part series on baptism. We continue to give an introduction to a biblical case for infant baptism. In this teaching we consider the household of God and what it means for God to work in the context of a household. So, why does God work in the context of a household?
Here is a link to the “Introduction to Baptism” playlist.
This is the first part of our seven part series on baptism. The purpose of the series is to give an overview of baptism so people who are curious about infant baptism will be exposed to arguments in favor of infant baptism. This first video is a summary of a sign and seal. Is baptism a sign and seal of our faith or the promises of God?
(I apologize for the music. The music is turned way lower or completely off. I upgraded the mic for the camera so no need for background distraction.)
Here is a link to the “Introduction to Baptism” playlist.
The Apostle Paul mentions baptism and circumcision as two signs of Christ’s work. Does Paul mention circumcision first to show that there is something more basic or inferior to this sign tied strictly to the Old Testament? Does he mention baptism second to communicate we have really arrived in history? Is it possible that Paul sees these two signs as having similar implications, but looking to the coming of Christ from different viewpoints in history?
The apostle Paul exhorts fathers, wives, and bondservants to live out their lives before the Lord’s face. The Lord does not only exhort adults to life a life pleasing to the Lord, but Paul also exhorts children. Why would Paul exhort children to obey their parents for that pleases the Lord? Could there be implications in this exhortation for baptism?
One can see the force of the argument that circumcision is a fleshly covenant which is tied to the flesh while Baptism is a sign that communicates spiritual renewal and spiritual washing. It is conceivable to think that maybe Paul is making a historic progression meaning that we move from circumcision, fleshly covenant, to baptism, a true spiritual realization, after Christ’s coming. So, why would people baptize infants if the Lord has changed the significance of the covenantal sign?
The Apostle Paul exhorts children to obey their parents for this is pleasing to the Lord. It is not a surprise to us that Paul would exhort children to obey their parents, but what does this imply about their status in the church? Why is the context of their exhortation so significant? Why is it important that this exhortation seems to echo the Old Testament? What could this imply about children being in covenant with the Lord?
This is the ripped audio from our membership class video. I wanted to put this up on the web because many people who visit our church inquire about the doctrine of infant baptism. I do not claim this lecture to be the definitive defense of the doctrine, but I see it as presenting some Biblical reasons for infant baptism.
The Apostle Paul exhorts children to obey their parents for this is pleasing to the Lord. It is not a surprise to us that Paul would exhort children to obey their parents, but what does this imply about their status in the church? Why is the context of their exhortation so significant? Why is it important that this exhortation seems to echo the Old Testament? What could this imply about children being in covenant with the Lord?
Our confession uses strong language that we are to be baptized once. This means that we do not agree with other traditions that will baptize someone a second time because they do not see infant baptism as being a valid baptism. Why do we believe in one baptism? What is the bigger picture of this baptism? How do we as Reformed people see baptism as something for children and adults? Why are we not Roman Catholic even though we baptize infants?
Many times people will say that the sacraments are a sign of our faith. We might not think that it is important to see that sacrament is a sign of God’s faithfulness verses the sign being a sign of my faith. Ultimately we need to look discussion in light of the covenant of grace. Did Abraham receive the sign because of his faith or because of the Lord’s faithfulness? In other words does the sign point to Abraham’s faith or does it point to the promises of God and His faithfulness? What does Paul say in Romans 4:11 regarding the sign that was given to Abraham?
The Lord makes a promise to Abraham about bringing about His kingdom through the champion line. This promise is tied to a land and also to circumcision. Why would we desire to appeal to this passage for infant baptism? What does Genesis 17 tell us about the covenant and the covenant sign? What is Peter saying regarding the application of the covenant promises to us?
As the church is growing and existing it is just a matter of time before the church encounters a problem. The problem is what do you do in a marriage where one spouse is a Christian and the other spouse is not a Christian? How is the family to conduct itself? Are they to stay married and divide the house so one spouse lives on one floor and another spouse lives on the sinner’s floor? What is more, how do the spouses view their children?
We continue to consider the themes of the catechism and the issue of baptism. In many ways it is tempting to say that circumcision is associated with the Old Testament and baptism is associated with the New Testament. This could mean that the application of these signs are radically different. What can we see in Scripture that shows us that these signs might have more continuity than discontinuity? Ultimately, what should these signs be communicating to us that can be missed in the context of our discussion on infant baptism?
Normally when we think about the sign of circumcision being instituted we think of Moses. We are also quick to think of this sign as being something that is tied to the flesh with a land promise with very little Spiritual significance. The sign of Baptism on the other hand we may think has great significance in terms of Spiritual blessings. Is this fair? Is this what Paul, Moses, and Abraham would have us take away from this sign?
We are a bible believing church in the Belgrade, MT. We are a Reformed Protestant church who desire to build one another up in love as we sojourn under the sun.
