Baptism as a seal.

[Grillsy]

In the Westminster Standards. We argue that baptism is a sign and seal. I know what my answer would be and what I have learned reading Puritans and certain Reformers. However I have heard varying answers as to just what is meant by a "seal" by others in the paedobaptist camp. As I am a Presbyterian, this has made conversations with Credo-only baptists very difficult.
So what do we mean exactly when we say that Baptism is a seal? What is the best way to counter those who would say that Baptism is not a seal?

 

[Peairtach]

Circumcision was a seal to Abraham's faith. That is it strengthened and encouraged it in the carrying out of and contemplating of the circumcision.

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: (Romans 4:11)

Re little children, little boys had to have circumcision explained to them otherwise it would not be of benefit to them automatically, unless God also blessed the faith of parents in getting their sons circumcised.

The same is true for baptised children today. Parents must explain to their children that they have been baptised, and that the child also needs to seek cleansing of heart by the Spritual application of Christ's blood, as well as having been ceremonially washed with water.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Here is an outline to a class I taught on baptism on the occasion of the baptism of an infant. It addresses other issues but the idea of a seal is contained herein. Put simply, Baptism not only signifies something God has promised but seals (assures) that promise to the individual who has faith because it brings the eternal Promise of God into visible relation to the individual baptized. For those who have Evangelical faith, wrought from above, the grace signified is not only held forth but actually sovereignly conferred by the Holy Spirit. God's Promises are "Yes and Amen" and that Promise is signified in my baptism and sealed that He will fulfill what He Promises to the uttermost.

1. God justifies the ungodly

a. Our righteousness is incapable of fulfilling the demands of a Holy God. (Rom 1-3, especially Rom 3:19-20)

b. Christ came to be our righteousness while we were His enemies. (Eph 2:4-9, Rom 5:1-6)

c. Faith is not the basis of our salvation. Faith is what God gives to us that we can lay hold of Christ and His righteousness – the person and work of Christ is the basis of our salvation. We either stand clothed in Christ or stand in our own righteousness. (Rom 3:21-28, Gal 2:15-21)

2. The Gospel is the Good News that Christ has died to give victory over the grave and rose again in newness of life so that all who believe upon Him are saved in Him. (1 Cor 15:3-4)

3. Christ commanded His Church to make disciples of all the nations – baptizing them and teaching them. A person is made a disciple through baptism and a disciple is one who is taught. (Matt 28:18-20)

4. Baptism is not a sign of our faith. Baptism is not a sign of our parent’s faith. Baptism is a sign and a seal of God’s gracious covenant with man. Baptism is something done to us. We are passive in baptism.

a. God initiates grace but the hidden things belong to God (Deut 29:29)

b. Just like our Father Abraham, we need God to break into human history and give us something tangible in the present to confirm His promises of salvation to us. He confirms them by His oath and His person. (Genesis 15, Hebrews 6:13-20)

c. God not only Promises by two things that cannot be broken but He gives us a personal tangible sign just as He gave Abraham and his seed a sign in their flesh. (Genesis 17) Circumcision was not merely an outward mark but signified and sealed God’s Promise of salvation by faith to Abraham (Romans 4:9-12).

d. God gives us baptism as an “unbloody” circumcision to mark us out as holy, as His saints, in the world. (Col 2:11-14)

e. Through something we understand physically our minds are directed to what God is doing for us spiritually. It’s as if He is saying to us in baptism: “As surely as this water washes away the filth of your flesh, so are your sins forgiven if you trust in my Son, Jesus Christ.”

f. The Holy Spirit sovereignly connects our baptism to all the spiritual realities they signify. Baptism signifies and confirms the forgiveness of sins, our newness of life in Christ, our participation in Christ, and our membership in the New Covenant. . (Rom 6:3-5, Tit 3:5, Mark 1:4)

g. The minister in Christ’s Church does not magically give all the benefits that Baptism signifies but announces the Promises of God in the administration. The Holy Spirit grants the benefits signified by baptism when and where He pleases.

h. Baptism causes us to look to Christ outside of us as our salvation and not within at the strength of our faith. Baptism assures us of our salvation because God has promised each of us, in our baptisms, that He will save us if we place our trust in Christ.

i. The devil may rage against us when we sin and remind us that our faith can be sifted like wheat but our baptism reminds us that faith is ever a simple clinging to Christ and His righteousness. The Promises of God in our baptism confirm us in our assurance. Our faith may have been false when we were baptized but God’s Promise cannot be shaken! Let God be true and every man be a liar. (Rom 3:3-5)

j. God’s Covenant has always included family solidarity. In giving circumcision to Abraham and His posterity (which signified grace through faith), God was not pitting grace against creation but grace against sin. (Gen 17). Noah’s family and all the Israelites with Moses were baptized by God. (1 Pet 3:21-22, 1 Cor 10:1-4)

k. The grace of God restores the family relationship in Gen 17 and beyond. Malachi prophesies of John that he would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children. (Mal 4, Luke 1:17)

l. Peter utilized Covenant language to announce the Promise of salvation that would be signified by baptism. (Acts 2:38-29)

m. In the Epistles, the children of believers:

(1) Are holy (1 Cor 7:14)

(2) Are to be discipled by their parents in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4)

(3) Are given covenant promises when they honor their parents. (Eph 6:1-3)

n. Children are to be baptized not on the basis of their parents’ faith but because:

They are in the Covenant
They are to be discipled

God doesn’t break us up from our children but they are our inheritance (Psalm 127:3-5)

 

[larryjf]

I would say that looking at both "signs" and "seals" together helps us gain understanding at the two-pronged meaning of the sacrament.

sign- outward manifestation of the grace of God
seal - inward spiritual grace of God is imparted

 

[Reformed Rush]

In the Westminster Standards. We argue that baptism is a sign and seal. I know what my answer would be and what I have learned reading Puritans and certain Reformers. However I have heard varying answers as to just what is meant by a "seal" by others in the paedobaptist camp. As I am a Presbyterian, this has made conversations with Credo-only baptists very difficult.
So what do we mean exactly when we say that Baptism is a seal? What is the best way to counter those who would say that Baptism is not a seal?

It is God the Holy Spirit who seals us with His guarantee of our spiritual inheritance unto eternal life. Ephesians 1:13-14; II Corinthians 1:21; 5:5

It is God the Holy Spirit who baptizes and regenerates sinners. Mark 1:8; Acts 15; 11:15; I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27

 

[Grillsy]

In the Westminster Standards. We argue that baptism is a sign and seal. I know what my answer would be and what I have learned reading Puritans and certain Reformers. However I have heard varying answers as to just what is meant by a "seal" by others in the paedobaptist camp. As I am a Presbyterian, this has made conversations with Credo-only baptists very difficult.
So what do we mean exactly when we say that Baptism is a seal? What is the best way to counter those who would say that Baptism is not a seal?

It is God the Holy Spirit who seals us with His guarantee of our spiritual inheritance unto eternal life. Ephesians 1:13-14; II Corinthians 1:21; 5:5

It is God the Holy Spirit who baptizes and regenerates sinners. Mark 1:8; Acts 15; 11:15; I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27

So are you saying that Baptism is not a seal?

 

[Reformed Rush]

In the Westminster Standards. We argue that baptism is a sign and seal. I know what my answer would be and what I have learned reading Puritans and certain Reformers. However I have heard varying answers as to just what is meant by a "seal" by others in the paedobaptist camp. As I am a Presbyterian, this has made conversations with Credo-only baptists very difficult.
So what do we mean exactly when we say that Baptism is a seal? What is the best way to counter those who would say that Baptism is not a seal?

It is God the Holy Spirit who seals us with His guarantee of our spiritual inheritance unto eternal life. Ephesians 1:13-14; II Corinthians 1:21; 5:5

It is God the Holy Spirit who baptizes and regenerates sinners. Mark 1:8; Acts 15; 11:15; I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27

So are you saying that Baptism is not a seal?

Water baptism can potentially be a sign of the seal of the Holy Spirit who guarantees everlasting life in Christ.

 

[Grillsy]

Reformed Rush,

If you don't mind me asking are you paedobaptist or exclusively credobaptist?

 

[Contra_Mundum]

Rich's answer is probably the best.

A "sign" is a "pointer" to something.
"------->"
"Spruce Street"
"Washington slept here"

So, signs in physical things oriented people to spiritual realities.


A "seal" was a mark of
authenticity,
authority,
ownership,
guarantee.

The sign of the covenant can function as any of these. Signatures often perform a similar function today (because paper and ink are so common), but states still seal things. Abraham was to trust God's promise because it had God's seal of attestation. He put his "mark" on his body.

 

[Reformed Rush]

Reformed Rush,

If you don't mind me asking are you paedobaptist or exclusively credobaptist?

I have a checkered past . . .

Agreed with paedobaptists while a member in the OPC,

And I personally baptized teenagers newly confessing faith in Jesus Christ, in my pool, when hosting a Reformed Baptist Church in my home.

All the while holding to the WCF and the Three Forms Of Unity.

This is why I believe distinction between external and eternal covenants is basic to understanding baptismal views.

 

[Peairtach]

Can infant baptism be blessed to a baby/child who has been baptised before regeneration? I would say yes, in that

(a) God recognises the faith of the parents in bringing the child to be baptised.

(b) If the minister and/or parents teach the child that it has been baptised as it grows to years of understanding, what baptism signifies, and explain the Gospel to the child, that can be blessed to the child's regeneration.