Covenantal Intersection

In a moment, these parents will make baptismal vows on behalf of their son. I want to take this meditation as an opportunity to explain the flow of traffic at this covenantal intersection. First, it is not man’s word or oath which binds this child to Christ. Rather, it is God who speaks this watery Word. As such, these parents’ vows and professions are a response to His oath to be our God and to make us His people to a thousand generations. 

But these parents’ vows aren’t mere ceremony. When done in faith, these vows are a genuine act of Spirit-born obedience. They are commanded to raise their children in the Lord, and this is just another way of saying they must raise baptized children. And what is this son’s duty? It is to grow up in his baptism. How is that done? Well, that too is done by faith. So then, God speaks, and by grace we believe. Me as the minister, these parents, this child, and you the congregation all say “Amen” by faith, to this watery Word of our Father.

So welcome our brother to Jesus Christ…