Signed and Sealed
A celebration for all our new baptisms, with a message about what we believe about baptism from a Reformed perspective
“{Abraham} received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised” (v11a) Rom. 4:9-12
The joy of witnessing numerous baptisms in the Classis has been one of the greatest highlights of my life. Whenever we establish a new church, there is always a significant number of baptisms during the service. Last December, The Reformed Church of Portugal celebrated the baptism of 50 new believers in one service, and recently, 25 new believers were baptized in Atlanta, Georgia, at Futures Church with Rev. Alexis Principal. We are grateful for each and every baptism!
Observing these baptisms has prompted me to delve into the Reformed belief in baptism and its significance. From the Reformed perspective, baptism emphasizes God’s work in us, rather than our ability to accept God ourselves. We firmly believe that through the sacrament of baptism, regardless of age at the time of baptism, God grants us a sign and seal.
Similar to Abraham, who received the sign of circumcision as a seal of righteousness as mentioned in Romans 4, we believe that baptism is a sign from God that we belong to His royal household and bear the seal of righteousness through the blood of Jesus. Just like circumcision, baptism is a visible act that signifies an invisible reality—that we are set apart unto God through faith alone (Gen. 15:6; 17). It serves as a visible reminder of the Lord’s promise to set apart a people for Himself from this fallen world.
Moreover, circumcision served as a seal, as mentioned in Romans 4, symbolizing ownership. It provided tangible proof that those with the mark were part of the Lord’s people and would receive all His promises through their faith in Him. Similarly, through our baptism, we are sealed by God as evidence that we belong to our heavenly Father. As we learn from the Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 1:
We belong to our heavenly Father, not through our works in life, nor by our ability to believe properly, but by being set apart from this world by God Himself, who has fully paid our debt of sin on the Cross.
In the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
