Baptism is a sign, God's way of picturing invisible, spiritual facts through a visible, physical act. Like water washing away dirt, Jesus' blood washes away sin. Like water renewing and restoring life in plants and people, the Holy Spirit renews and restores life to sinners. Going under water and coming up again is a vivid picture of the old self dying and being buried with Christ and the new self rising to life in him.

Baptism is also a seal. A seal or signature on a legal document doesn't change any promises or obligations in the document, but it does confirm them and make them official. So, too, baptism doesn't change anything in the gospel message of God's Word, but it does confirm God's Word in an official way. Baptism is the seal and personal signature of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, guaranteeing God's promises and officially marking each member of his family.

Baptism does not save you; Jesus saves. If you ask, "What must I do to be saved?" the answer is, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." Once you're saved through faith in Jesus, you and any little ones under your care can be baptized and joyfully join God's church.

So, then, baptism is a sign and seal of being delivered from sin and adopted into God's family. As a visible sign, baptism helps you see the gospel more clearly; as an official seal, baptism helps you believe the gospel more firmly. Signed, sealed, and delivered, you grow in faith.

PRAYER--Dear Father, thank you for salvation through faith in Jesus. Thank you for picturing and sealing the blessings of salvation to us and our children through baptism. Amen.