The Sacrament of Baptism – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Oct 23, 2024

The sermon of this post is from the YouTube site, MLJTrust.

It is part of his sermon series, Great Biblical Doctrine, linked below.

Sermon breakdown notes many of the points MLJ made during his sermon.

I’m posting this sermon because there are many ideas about Christian baptism floating around in the social realm that are unscriptural. Also, the Roman Catholic idea of justification occurring via baptism is not scriptural, the apostle Paul stated in Romans 4 and in Galatians that Abraham was justified (made righteous) by believing God. He furthermore stated that all those who do the same today are the true “children of Abraham” the father of the faithful. The RCC had to ignore the Bible to go about administering “justification” according to their dogma.

MLJ made many thoughtful points about baptism. Some of your own questions on the topic will likely be answered.

Also, this series explains effectual calling, conversion and many other doctrines that are commonly misunderstood in the church. If you do not know what those things are, his sermons could enable you to understand.

[The MLJTrust sermon description was divided for ease of reading. All emboldening and underscoring are mine.]

Sermon Description:

What is the purpose of baptism? Why did Jesus teach baptism after someone is saved?

In this sermon on the sacrament of baptism (the second sermon in his series on the sacraments of the church), Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones walks through a topic sometimes debated even amongst believers. Baptism’s meaning, he says, is an outward illustration of the inward cleansing from the pollution of sin. Its purpose is not to cleanse from sin and regenerate because that would mean that people are saved through the work of baptism, something that Scripture clearly denies.

So, what does it accomplish?

Baptism serves as a sign and seal of one’s justification and remission of sins. And yet, he says, not everyone is eligible to be baptized.

This teaching runs counter to the Catholic teaching on baptism.

What about infant baptism? Should babies be baptized? Running through a list of arguments for and against infant baptism, Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows from Scripture that this practice is not biblical since the Bible encourages only believers to be baptized.

He also touches on another oft-controversial topic: should baptism only be full-immersion, or is sprinkling acceptable? He provides the historical and scriptural background for immersion and sprinkling, and aids the listener in coming to a biblically-supported position on the issue.

 

 

A sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Sacrament of Baptism https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/grea…

Great Biblical Doctrines playlist:    • The Eternal Decrees of God (Remastered)  

Sermon Breakdown [by MLJTrust]:

  • The word ‘sacrament’ is not found in Scripture but is used for convenience to refer to baptism and communion, the only two ordinances instituted by Christ.
  • A sacrament is first and foremost a sign, pointing to and representing something. Secondly, it is a seal, confirming blessings to us. Thirdly, it is a badge of church membership.
  • The two sacraments are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We now consider baptism in detail.
  • There has been much dispute over baptism. We must approach it cautiously and in a Christian spirit, avoiding dogmatism. Even learned Christians disagree on it.
  • Baptism is not essential for salvation but is obligatory since Christ commanded it. It is a means of grace to strengthen faith.
  • The earliest record of infant baptism is from AD 175. Tertullian opposed it, suggesting it was not originally apostolic. Augustine was born to Christian parents but not baptized as an infant. Infant baptism became universal by the Reformation.
  • The meaning of baptism is union, as shown by phrases like “baptized into Christ.” Firstly, it signifies union with Christ. Secondly, it signifies cleansing from sin.
  • The purpose of baptism is to seal to believers their redemption, forgiveness, union with Christ, and receiving the Spirit. It does not add grace but strengthens faith. It is primarily God’s act, not our testimony.
  • The arguments for infant baptism are: Christ blessed infants; Acts 2:39 refers to children; Acts 16 refers to household baptisms; 1 Cor. 1:16 refers to a household baptism. But: Christ’s blessing is not baptism; Acts 2:39 refers to future generations, not just children; ‘household’ may not include infants; 1 Cor. 7:14 refers to sanctification, not baptism.

The argument from circumcision fails because entry into the kingdom is now spiritual, not physical.

The covenant argument wrongly interprets Acts 2:39. We cannot know if anyone, infant or adult, is regenerate. Many baptized as infants later lapse, as do some baptized as adults.

Baptism seals regeneration, so is only for those who can understand it.

Immersionists wrongly make mode essential. Historically, immersion was common for 1000 years. Some groups still immerse. The Greek and Russian Orthodox churches immerse.

The Westminster Confession prefers sprinkling but only narrowly.

The meaning of ‘baptizo’ is disputed. Luke 11:38 refers to sprinkling. Romans 6 refers to union with Christ, not the baptismal mode. Coming ‘out of’ water need not mean immersion.

The OT used sprinkling. Mass immersions seem unlikely. The most likely mode is standing in water and sprinkling. Immersion is allowable but not essential. Insisting on immersion is unscriptural and verges on heresy.

Baptism should be for adult believers. The mode can be sprinkling, immersion or a combination, but the meaning is what matters. Baptism seals to us our salvation and union with Christ.

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