Symbols of Faith

Nearly five hundred years ago, the great reformers Zwingli and Luther were meeting to attempt to work out the differences between their two movements and create a united Protestant church. Unfortunately, despite the great spiritual stature of both of these men, they could not work out a suitable compromise on the issue of the Lord’s Supper. This led to the tragedy of denominationalism that has plagued the church ever since.

The fact is, the central symbols of grace in the church, seven of them according to the Roman designations, have long been a source of dispute in church polity. Baptists earlier this century spent a great deal of time arguing over what Baptism requirements would be necessary for people who would partake in the Lord’s Supper. Quite a strange debate for a denomination built on salvation by faith alone!

Clearly none of the sacraments, not even baptism or the Eucharist, have any kind of redemptive power in the acts themselves. In fact, while they make beautiful symbols of the grace God has given us (both symbols patterned after Jesus’ death), it is only by a faith commitment to Jesus that we receive the grace that they so eloquently symbolize.

This is not to say they are not important. As James states, faith without works is dead. While he is specifically referring to charitable ethical acts, indeed much of the Mosaic law points out how important these types of symbols of grace are to God. These actions should be done in obedience to God’s command as a result of the faith that we have placed in Jesus. While they carry in their own actions no mystical salvific power, they demonstrate the application of grace that the Spirit has made to our hearts. Indeed, in faith we are baptized in the Spirit and spiritually partake in Jesus’ body and blood. Our physical acts are acts of obedience based on faith that demonstrate this reality to the world around us.

Especially in a post-modern world, with all of its focus on symbols and experience, these types of rituals take on an even deeper meaning. In some ways, they help to confirm in the individual’s heart their decision, and they do this in the presence of the community who can help hold them accountable. The problem with internet sacraments as they are currently done (not to say this could not be fixed) is not their lack of substance (though there may be something strangely Gnostic about that tendency), but instead is the total absence of human contact in community.

Clearly, the mode can be altered. We use leavened bread and non-alcoholic grape juice in our ceremony due to our culture. While the Greek term for Baptism does indeed mean to dunk, I have postulated the use of squirt guns for baptism due to the representation of death. The fact is, whatever mode is used in these symbols of grace, the church should be careful to keep as much of the original biblical symbolism as possible. Now hear me carefully, none of this has absolutely anything to do with salvation. We are saved by grace through faith, not ritual. These actions merely physically demonstrate the faith inside of people’s hearts.

Our teaching is simply that those who make a commitment of faith to Jesus should demonstrate that commitment by public water immersion. Now clearly there are exceptions to immersion (I can think of handicapped people who would be better served by sprinkling). While our faith can help others it is not sufficient for their personal salvation. Therefore, our church does not baptize infants. Since baptism does not save, but God’s grace does, an innocent baby will be dealt with by God under God’s mercy. We need not baptize them at this point for a decision we do not know if they will make or not. When they make their decision of faith, then it is wise to give them a chance to respond symbolically through obedience in baptism and Eucharist. We do not baptize for the dead. Again, baptism does not save, people’s decisions in their lives (or perchance after their lives) is their own decision to make. God will save them according to the faith of their own decision.

Baptism saves no one, but it becomes merely a mote and worthless ritual if we do this for other people based on our faith. If this were the case I would ask to be baptized 8 million times for everyone in Chicago. It would be worth drowning if I thought it would save this city.