The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Look on your baptism

When NT writers use the phrase, look on your baptism(or something similar), what does it imply and what does it not imply?

John

Perhaps if you give chapter and verse, you would get an answer.

Tom

...is the current tendency to encourage those who doubt their salvation status to "look to their baptism" as proof they are, indeed, loved by the LORD.

Is that reasonably close, John? Or have I missed the boat and am splashing in the water off the dock?

Perhaps, you are referring to what is stated in Romans 6:3-11. Your old man has been crucified with Christ that you should walk in newness of life. But, after regeneration, the old man continues to be rebellious after the flesh. The old man must be crucified in repentance, that a new man may come forth in righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:22-24). Therefore, you should look to your baptism unto Christ and return to it whenever the Holy Spirit is pleased to work repentance and faith through the Word.

What the NT writers do not state is that you should look to your baptism apart from faith that lays hold of Christ (Gal. 3:26,27).

I have heard it put in terms like, "Live up to your baptism." Or, "remember that ring on your finger - you're married (emphasis on the fact of marriage, not a supposed hope of getting married), so keep your vow."

-Robin

Tom,

I couldn't find any verses directly saying that, but the question came up with those who claim that in discussing assurance, we should look back on our baptism. As if our baptism is the primary gauge in realizing on professing our assurance.

For me, my baptism would not be among the first things I think of when tracing back my salvation and the assurance of it. I think it is when I discovered that it is by grace through faith and the Bible becoming clear in my reading and understanding of it. It is God's Word and it opened itself up for me. I can think of subjective events as a change in my better outlook as I became immerse in my new faith. It was life-changing.

I know somewhat of the mysterious biblical concepts of union and others. So, I am not sure about neglecting my baptism altogether in this discussion, but some appears to make it as somewhat regenerative in their idea of it.

I hope this helps in clarifying,