BAPTISM: THE ANSWER OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD
A Sermon On The Occasion of The Baptism of
My Grandson, Colton Michael Barrett, Age 11
Preached at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church,
Kansas City Missouri, January 22, 2012

1 Peter 3:18-22 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
We all know the story of Noah and the Ark.
• We remember how Noah was ridiculed by ungodly people, and how he worked for 120 years building an ark to a flood never before witnessed.

• We remember how his neighbors laughed as he prepared pitch to daub the ark both outside and in.

• We remember how he and his family were shut up in the Ark. How that God closed them in.

• We remember the account of when the great fountains of the deep opened up and the vast aquifers under the surface of the earth burst forth and upward with unimaginable force, and the “windows” of heaven opened and water poured down upon the whole earth and covered every high mountain.

• We remember how the Ark was buoyed by the water from below and literally covered by the waters from above. Below, above, and all around, nothing but water!

• The ark was tossed about by the raging judgment going on outside. The rains pummeling down upon them; the waters of the great deep, like gigantic fountains rushed up on them and the torrential waters fell upon them, yet, not a drop of water came in unto them.

• In the ark all were saved while outside only death and destruction prevailed upon the earth.

• We remember how the waters were final abated after 150 days and the Ark set upon the mountains of Aarat, and Noah and his family and all the animals with them came out upon dry ground.

What kept the flood outside the ark was something called “pitch.” Genesis 6:14 makes reference to how the ark was to be made and that Noah shall pitch it within and without with pitch.” The word for “pitch” in Hebrew is “Gopher or Copher” which signifies also atonement.

We are to see, that the pitch with which the ark was daubed within and without kept every drop of water out. The “Pitch”, i.e., The atonement, i.e., the covering, kept Noah and his family dry.

The ark was a figure and type of Christ and the pitch that covered the ark was a type and figure of the blood of Christ, and like Noah and his family entered into the ark and were saved, so we enter into Christ, our ark, and are saved.

What we see here in the story of the Ark and the salvation of Noah is an ancient picture of water baptism—The Ark containing Noah and his family were literally covered beneath and above with water as if totally immersed in the deluge, and all within the ark were saved from the judgment of God. So, when we by faith believe in Christ we are we, are a like figure as Noah—are totally immersed in the Blood of Christ, buried and raised again – to new life.

Romans 6:4 says: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The ark was God’s doing, not man’s invention, so is baptism, it is of heaven, and not of men; and as the ark, while it was preparing, was the scorn and hatred of men, so is the ordinance of baptism and part of the Gospel, today scorned and hated by the world.

Baptism was rejected with disdain by the Scribes and Pharisees, as it still is by many today, and as the ark, when Noah and his family were shut up in it by God, represented a burial, and they seemed, as it were, to be buried in it, it was a lively emblem of baptism, which is expressed by a burial, In whom (Christ – our ark) also ye are…Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. [Col 2:11-12]

So it is then, that as they in the ark had the great deep broke up under them, and the windows of heaven opened over them, pouring out waters upon them, they were immersed, and were covered with water, then when finally the Ark perched on dry land we see a fine picture of our own soul safe in Christ Jesus, who at the cross shed his blood for the remission of our sin and by that blood made atonement for us which seals us inside, safe from the wrath of God. It was that wrath that destroyed the earth and all in it save Noah and his family. It is Christ’s atoning blood which does the same for us.

We will leave for a while the scene of terrible judgment and redemption and see how all this relates to the business of today so,

ILLUSTRATION : On a personal note regarding the concept of identification, and by way of: Colton, as many of you may know, was a member of the Olathe South Falcon football team—undefeated this past season, I might add!

He strapped on the armor of a warrior. He snapped the chin strap of his Helmet, his Jersey # was 38, donned shoulder pads, slipped into football pants and and stringed his cleats as did his team mates. When he dressed out in his uniform, he identified himself as an Olathe South Falcon Football player.

He was expected by witnesses to perform up to his full ability, strengthened by the training and discipline of his coaches who taught to him to play fair but “leave nothing on the field,” but to give all of one’s self for the honor of the whole team. Wasn’t he?

So should the Christian “dress out” in his new uniform described in Ephesians 6:14-18 as the “Whole Armor of God,” thus identifying himself with all other Christians. Then stand against the enemy, leaving nothing on the field and rising undefeated at the end.

Let me, for Colton’s sake and our own, read how the Bible describes the “whole armor of God.” It reads:

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

There will be times, Mike and Jessie, when the spiritual battles Colton must fight become pretty impossible for him to battle alone. A football player depends on his team mates to pitch in and help. So must we who love Colton pitch in to help.

When those times come, we must help him put on his armor and dress for battle. We will help him so that he will not falter and fall, but will stand and face the enemy and defeat him in the power of Almighty God. At those times, and times of your own, you also must “armor up”, as they say.

Today, I happily baptize my grandson, Colton Michael Barrett; not yet a full grown adult, yet wise, I think beyond his eleven years—yes, he still qualifies as a child. And, in many ways a child’s profession of faith and submission and obedience to Believer’s baptism is more refreshing to me at times than that of an adult’s profession and apparent submission to this church ordinance.

He has professed Christ to his parents and wants to demonstrate publicly his identifying with Jesus Christ in Believer’s baptism. He was born of both father and mother, but now comes as a child born a second time of the Spirit of God. Colton Michael Barrett is sealed, secure, justified, kept and ever in the arms of Jesus Christ.

While children, regardless of age, are just as much sinful beings as are adults there are some things about them that some adults, it seems, have either forgotten or lost. Children are not born perfect, unless of course you are talking to some child’s Grandma, then “perfect” is assumed. No one is first born innocent or without sin. Fact no one has ever been born without sin other than our Lord Jesus Christ. As even King David, the “apple” of God’s eye, lamented, Psalms 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me .

Don Fortner, a fellow pastor and personal friend, loves children and has complied a few things about young children. I know he will not mind if I share them with you:

1. Children are Completely Dependent from Mother’s womb on others to care for them. That is as good and clear a picture of faith in Christ as I can imagine. Saving faith is complete, utter dependence upon Christ; dependence upon Him alone as our Savior (1 Corinthians 1:30-31), dependence upon Him Alone as our Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6), dependence upon Him alone as our Advocate and Intercessor.

2. Children are by nature, Modest, one might say bashful. Humble, and under the authority of Mom and Dad. Unassuming, meaning he has not been taught to think of himself as better than anyone else.

3. Children are Quick to Forgive. They are quick and eager to forgive and to be forgiven. God give us grace ever to come to Him, as little children, trusting the Lord Jesus Christ, forgiving as we have been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32-5:2).

4. Children are Teachable and Eager to learn–They are literally a Tabula Rosa or a “blank slate” waiting for some adult to write upon it. They seldom are convinced by argument and reason, science and logic. They simply embrace the things plainly revealed to them. That is why they learn so much so quickly. They never debate the obvious. They do not try to make simple things complex.

5. Children’s hearts are Tender. A little child’s heart is tender and loving. The younger the child, the more this is true. A young child is crushed by a father’s disapproval, or a mother’s frown, and his little heart is moved to joy by his Father’s attention and or his mother’s smiles. He loves mom and dad. It hurts him deeply when Mom and Dad argue and say awful and profane things to one another. He craves nothing more than to do for them, honor them, and enjoy their approval and delight.

6. Children are an Open Book. They have a childlike trust, a child-like sincerity, and often a child-like openness. What you see is usually what you get. Any Pretense, hypocrisy, and show are things a little child learns later in life.

7. A Child’s Prayer opens the doors of heaven and are carried straight to the heart of God. A child does not try to frame his words in impressive sentences, or attempt to show what he knows. The little child simply speaks to the Lord God tells Him what he wants, what he wants to know, and gives thanks.

WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO THE PRIVILEGE OF BELIEVER’S BAPTISM?
ANSWER: ONLY BELIEVERS!

(Ephesians 2:8-10) says, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

John Gill was an English Baptist Pastor. A couple of centuries ago he said: “Salvation is through faith, not as a cause or condition of salvation, or as what adds anything to the blessing itself; but it is the way, or means, or instrument, which God has appointed, for the receiving and enjoying it, that so it might appear to be all of grace; and this faith is not the produce of man’s free will and power, but it is the free gift of God.”

The Puritan, Thomas Hooker, writes: “God justifies the believing man, not for the worthiness of his belief, but for the worthiness of Him in whom he believes”

No one is saved by being sprinkled, dipped, or even by believer’s baptism. That is why they call it “BELIEVER’S” Baptism. If we are saved by being baptized then baptism becomes something that we DO and does not represent something already done! Simply stated, men are saved by the free grace of God and not by the temporal works of men.

Baptism should not be taken lightly. We should never take something lightly that our Lord himself has done and has ordained for his churches to do—he must have a good reason, don’t you think? I remind you also that when we are baptized we are making a statement that we are Christians and that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and that as God enables, we will follow Him. When Colton is baptized he will be making a solemn statement, yea a commitment to follow His Savior.

Baptism does not wash away sins, no not one! As the old Baptist hymn asks—¬“What can wash away my sin? nothing but the blood of Jesus…What can make me whole again? nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Baptism has never “saved” anyone.

IF THERE IS NO EFFICACY IN BAPTISM TO SAVE ANYONE
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO BAPTIZE ANYONE?

Because Jesus commanded that we do so… Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Well, this is all very theological sounding isn’t it? But, I felt that some explanation of what Colton has agreed to do was in order. I want his baptism to mean something very special to him, and to all of you who are here, because it is special.

Anytime anyone confesses Christ as Lord and Savior it is special, and anytime a Christian follows the Lord in Believer’s baptism, claiming Jesus as his own, it is very special to that person and to all who witness it—I assure you it is special to me to baptize Colton, to anyone, child or adult, who so honors God’s only begotten Son by such a public manifestation of Gospel of Christ and to show forth the new life that now resides in the believer.

How did the experience of Noah give him an ANSWER of a good conscience toward God? This is what Noah would say to you in this regard: My conscience is good toward God in that:
• I believed God that a terrible judgment was coming upon the whole earth.
• I trusted God to save him and his family.
• I obeyed God and entered the ark trusting Him fully to save him from judgment.
• I knew that were it not for God declaring me righteous I too would have perished with the rest of mankind and gone down to the depths of the sea.

The same is true of you and I today. God’s judgment is again about to be poured out upon this sinful earth. If we have trusted Christ, the ark of our salvation, to save us from the wrath of God, this time by fire. If we by the power of the Holy Spirit live our lives in faith knowing our faith is a gift from God then our conscience is “good” toward God. Then as Christ was raised from the dead, so shall we rise to life everlasting. This is how our conscience is found to be “good toward God,” We claim His resurrection as ours – this is our answer!

How is your conscience toward God? Can you give an ANSWER of a good conscience toward God should you be asked, and you will be asked one day. Have you made your peace with God and received Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you submitted to water baptism by immersion. Why not follow the example of this young lad of 11 who will in just a few minutes show you all where he stands with Jesus Christ. From this day forward by his baptism, he is saying to you all, “I am the Lord’s.”

Amen