NOTES OUT OF THE CATECHISM CLASSES Of Rev. J. Fraanje Using the Catechism Book

Of the Sacraments

Lesson 36 Part 3

There is another sect among men called the Baptists. These pitiable people contend that only those who are grown up and believe in Christ with full consciousness are permitted to be baptized. They condemn infant baptism. This is another great error, since Paul states plainly that baptism has come in the place of circumcision, wherein all little boys, circumcised when eight days old, without having any consciousness of it, were received into the covenant in an external sense.

For that reason the catechism also states in the 27th Lord’s Day:

“Question: Are infants also to be baptized?

Yes, for since they, as well as the adult, are included in the covenant and church of God; and since redemption from sin by the blood of Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the author of faith, is promised to them no less than to the adult; they must therefore by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, be also admitted into the Christian church; and be distinguished from the children of unbelievers as was done in the old covenant or testament by circumcision, instead of which baptism is instituted in the new covenant.”

It is plain, then, that a person need only be baptized once. This because baptism is a sacrament (a sign) of being incorporated into the church which can take place but once.

Now I must ask you a question, though. If baptism does not cleanse from original sin (as the Roman Catholics teach) and does not make one a living member of the church, is it at all necessary? Cannot we just as well forego it? It seems to me we need not baptize every child, do we?

Answer: Baptism is to be administered by virtue of Christ’s command.

O, but you learned this answer from your lesson; but it is good, becuase it is the truth. Baptism became necessary through the institution and command of Christ. Just as circumcision became necessary through the institution of God.

Even so, salvation does not depend upon this, because the Lord does not bind His grace to a sacrament. Neither did He do this with circumcision.

Can one of you cite an example from the Bible of someone who was doomed to endless punishment even though baptized?

Answer: Simon the Sorcerer.

Did you hear that? That man was baptized and desired the gift of the Spirit, but it was to his perdition. Peter said to him, “Thy money perish with thee.”

Therefore it is also written: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be….?” No, “But he who believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16. It could be the other way around too, not baptized but yet saved. What example do we have of that?

Answer: The murderer on the cross.

It was not indifference of that man that he was not baptized after his conversion, but it was not possible anymore; time was running out; he began to die on the cross. Despite this he would be with Jesus in Paradise.

These are two proofs that God does not ever commit His grace on the sacraments. The matter rests in His giving of it or withholding of it.

We have discussed briefly together the subject of baptism, but there are a couple of serious questions remaining. The time is about spent now, so, we hope to say something about the proper meaning of baptism next week if the Lord spares us. For instance, how many benefits are sealed in baptism and whether water itself can wash away sins?

Have you ever given thought to the fact, boys and girls, that everyone of you have been baptized because Christ commanded it? Alas, it has become a custom to the majority to baptize their children. They will be called to account for this. Perhaps a few have done it by virtue of Christ’s command. Have your father and mother ever spoken to you about the fact that you have the seal of the Triune God upon your forehead? In one of his books, Rev. Smytegelt says, “If it doesn’t shame you to break God’s commandments and you continue on in spite of all warnings, come then to the baptismal font where your parents presented you before the Triune God and renounce your baptism in confirmation that you will not have anything to do with Him.”

That is the way Rev. Symtegelt put it to his congregation in Middleburg. But I would like to ask this afternoon, “Is there not one among all of you who ever felt what it is to be baptized in the name of the Triune God, and not to know the Lord personally?”

When I bow my knees this evening will it be necessary to say, “Lord, there was not one among all those children that had grief for lack of Thy presence in their hearts?” What a situation that is!

O, I am well aware that without His restraining hand we never tire of living in sin. And even if you had been baptized by the best of ministers and you lived your entire life in church praying and doing good works you would still not receive God’s favor because that can be obtained only through the righteousness of Christ. Without that righteousness not one living soul shall obtain, nor want to obtain it. Otherwise the Lord would not receive the glory, and that beomces their highest desire.

But are there not some people living among us that know that salvation cannot be obtained without Christ and yet are strangers to Him? Yes, that can be, but, if they do carry this about by virtue of the work of the Holy Spirit, they will have restless lives. Their pleasure and life in the world will be gone and they will find no city of refuge for their pitiable souls. They come to accept the fact that they mocked the sacrament in the garden of Eden - and it is a wonder that they have not yet gone to the place they deserve.

Each one of you shall go home in company presently and I by myself, but sometime the moment will come that each of us must go to his eternal home all by himself. Our friends will not be allowed to accompany us as they are doing with one another now.

And which shall be your home then? Eternally with Him who said, “In My Father’s House are many mansions?” But, if so, then you must also have known in this life how He prepared this house for you. May the Lord make His abode within your heart by His spiritual revelation because by nature we do not want Him there, neither through baptism nor confession.

May He make room where no room exists, and thus sanctify baptism so that it may truly become a sign and seal of grace effectually applied to your soul.

So be it.

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