The Fruits of Holy Baptism (6)

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit

We saw the fruits of Holy Baptism as they are professed and sealed through the Father and the Son. There is also a sealing by the Holy Spirit, and that also is concealed in the sacrament of Holy Baptism.

The Holy Spirit testifies and confirms that He wishes to live and dwell in us. We must not, however, interpret and understand this sentence to say that this will be true for every baptized individual, but the Holy Spirit testifies that He wishes to live in the hearts of deeply depraved persons. This is such an incomprehensibly great wonder. A person who learns to know his own heart as a filthy fountain of iniquity, a stinking source of corruption, a quagmire of sin—it is there that the Holy Spirit wishes to dwell. It is not written that mankind wishes that but that the Spirit wants to do so; that is what the Holy Spirit has taken upon Himself. In the hour of God’s good pleasure, He is sent by the Father and the Son from whom He proceeds. Then He establishes His residence, nevermore to leave from there. When that may be believed, what a richly comforting fruit of baptism it is that He also wishes to reside in my heart.

Sanctifying and incorporating

The Holy Spirit comes to sanctify those who are His as members of Christ. The Holy Spirit incorporates them in Christ by means of the faith which He plants in the heart, as is taught to us in Lord’s Day 7 of the Heidelberg Catechism. This incorporating into Christ is preceded by the cutting off from Adam. What a wonder if we personally may be cut off from the old Covenant of Works and be incorporated into Christ. Then we are sanctified as members of Christ and essentially separated. That is also the beginning of the life of sanctification.

God’s child is, therefore, incorporated into Christ, and becomes a participant of all His benefits. There are two great benefits; in the first place, the washing away of sin and, in the second place, the daily renewing of our lives. These benefits we have in Christ.

The Holy Spirit also incorporates them unto us. That is to say that He immediately applies and makes us a partaker of the benefits. A child may have a right to an inheritance even though he is not aware of it because he is too young. As he grows older, the inheritance is seen but not yet received because the child is not of age. When the child reaches adulthood, he may receive the inheritance and take ownership of it. This is how, step by step, the Holy Spirit applies the inheritance to them which are in Christ.

People of the Lord, the token of baptism is the signature under the testament. Look at the drops of water, then you will see the assurance that you are a partaker of these benefits.

A new obedience

When we read the second part of the Form for Baptism, we read that we are admonished and duty bound to a new obedience. How much wrestling that can cause a living soul. He cannot find that new obedience, he cannot properly cling to a Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, nor trust and love Him. There is so much lacking. It can lead to the anxious question as to whether he has not deceived himself.

Child of the Lord, read once more what is written there “…appropriate unto us that which we have in Christ (therefore not in ourselves), namely…the daily renewing of our lives.” The new obedience is, therefore, a benefit out of Christ which is appropriated unto you by the Holy Spirit. It is not because of an effort on your part.

How long will the Holy Spirit dwell in us? Until we shall be placed without spot among the congregation of the elect in life eternal. That is glorification. Sanctification ends in glorification. Then we will be without spot. We will never reach that level here below. Even though the Lord sees His people pure in Christ, they themselves continue to see their stains to their shame and humbling. Then all spots and stains will be removed, and we will live perfectly among the congregation, the gathering of the elect, to serve God in His temple. Then we will be arrayed in fine linen with long white robes, eternally before the throne.

Is there not an inexhaustible fountain of comfort in the sacrament of Holy Baptism?

(This installment marks the end of this series.)

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