Subjects of Baptism, Part 3

Acts 19:1-7 Baptism

In "Subjects of Baptism, Part 3," Pastor Martin concludes his examination of New Testament passages on baptism, focusing on Acts 19 and Jesus' blessing of the children in Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18. He addresses the re-baptism of John's disciples in Acts 19, arguing for a distinction between John's expectant baptism and Christian baptism in the name of the manifested Christ. Martin then critically analyzes the paedobaptist use of Jesus blessing the children, particularly Professor John Murray's argument for presumptive regeneration, highlighting the theological implications of such interpretations.

2 illustrations in this sermon

Review of Apostolic Baptismal Practices and Corrections

compare analogy

Bending and Straightening Nails

In this part of the sermon: Martin reviews the four categories of apostolic baptismal practices from Acts: group baptisms, isolated baptisms, household baptisms, and re-baptism. He then addresses two…

Martin uses the analogy of driving nails incorrectly and needing to bend or straighten them to introduce his corrections and clarifications to previous sermon points, emphasizing the need for precision in teaching.

Now, before we go on, I need to bend over some nails and I need to straighten out some other nails. You know, sometimes nails, when they get driven in, they don't get driven in straight the first time. You've got to take them out and you've got to straighten them out and drive them in again. Well, there's a nail that needs to be straightened out, so I want to take the time right at the outset this morning not only to bend over what needs to be bent over, but also to straighten out.

2:58 - 3:25 Read in full sermon

The Significance of Re-baptism: Defective Teaching vs. Different Significance

palette metaphor

Pastor Martin Stick Figure

Driving home: So the one is preparatory and expectant, and the other occurs in the context of fulfillment and conscious reception of the person of a manifested and present Christ.

Martin uses the metaphor of a 'Pastor Martin stick figure' to visually represent the concept of Jesus having already come, contrasting it with the expectant nature of John's baptism, to clarify the difference in redemptive historical significance.

If I may use the Pastor Martin stick figure. Jesus has come. It's not that he will come. He has come, and they are exercising a penitent faith in the Christ who has been manifested.

21:25 - 21:42 Read in full sermon

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