Baptism #2

Baptism #2: Old Covenant Connections
Genesis 17:1-14; Colossians 2:1-15

I. What was Circumcision?

o A sign and seal of the Covenant of Grace (Rom. 4:11; Gen. 17:10; Acts 7:8)

• Union with Christ (Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:1-11)

• Cleansing from sin (Lev. 26:41; Jer. 4:4; 6:10; Deut. 10:16; Rom. 2:29)

• A righteousness received by faith (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:11)

• Membership in the covenant community (Gen. 17:13; Ex. 12:48; Eph. 4:1-6)

The sacraments of the Old Testament, in regard of the spiritual things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those of the New. (Col. 1:11-12; Matt. 26:26-28).—WCF 27.5

"Such passages as Rom. 6:3-6, 1 Cor. 12:13 Gal. 3:27-28, Col. 2:11-12, plainly indicate that union with Christ is the governing idea. Baptism signifies union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. It is because believers are united to Christ in the efficacy of his death, and the power of His resurrection, and in the fellowship of His grace, that they are one body. They are united to Christ and therefore to one another. Of this union baptism is the sign in seal. The relationship which baptism signifies is therefore, the same as that of circumcision: union with Christ."—John Murray

II. To Whom was the Sign Given?

Adults (Gen. 17:24-25)

Covenant Children (Gen. 21:4; Ex. 12:48-49)