Hey Church!

Hey Church!

We have a baptism scheduled for this Sunday, which provides an opportunity for us all to remember and “improve upon” our own entrance into the Church of Jesus Christ. 

Westminster Larger Catechism

1. Q. 167: How is our baptism to be improved by us?

The needful but much neglected duty of improving our Baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others1; by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein2; by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements3; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament4; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace5; and by endeavoring to live by faith6, to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness7, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ7; and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body8.

1. Col 2:11–12; Rom 6:4, 6, 11;
2. Rom 6:3–5;
3. 1 Cor 1:11–13; Rom 6:2–3;
4. Rom 4:11–12; 1 Pet 3:21;
5. Rom 6:3–5;
6. Gal 3:26–27;
7. Rom 6:22;
8. Acts 2:38; 1 Cor 12:13, 25–27

Spend some time over the weekend reflecting on your baptism and the magnitude of grace it represented. Even if you do not remember the ceremony, you can rejoice in the knowledge that you have been baptized by water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, marking you as one of His dearly loved covenant children. Come to Church already having surrendered to Him in heart, and offer Him your highest gratitude, praise, and worship “as those that have therein given up their names to Christ.”