Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Wash in the Waters Again
The Christian ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are central practices referred to in Protestant tradition as the “visible words.” These rituals function as powerful dramatizations of God’s grace that complement the spoken word of gospel preaching. They engage all five senses—sound, sight, touch, smell, and taste—to continually rehearse the core of the Christian faith through the tangible actions of washing, eating, and drinking.
The ordinances serve a dual theological role as both signs and seals. As signs, they point to the general reality of God’s salvific work. Crucially, as seals, they confirm personal assurance, guaranteeing to the individual believer that God’s saving grace has been applied to them specifically. They function as effective means of God’s grace—Christ-instituted channels of divine power delivered by the Holy Spirit, which bring God’s presence near. Their efficacy is dependent on the Christian faith of the participants; they are not automatic or mere symbols.
Baptism marks new-covenant initiation and is applied just once to a believer with a credible profession of faith, symbolizing entrance into the visible church. This one-time act dramatizes the graces of conversion, picturing the believer’s union with Christ, where they are symbolically buried in death and raised to walk in newness of life.
While initiation is singular, baptism remains a lifelong source of grace through the duty of "improving our baptism." This continuous reflection is performed especially during times of temptation or when observing others being baptized. This duty involves gratefully considering the nature and benefits of baptism, humbling oneself for sin, and growing in assurance of pardon. By watching the ceremony with faith, believers rehearse the gospel, draw strength from Christ’s resurrection for the mortifying of sin, and renew the riches of their identity in Christ, thereby bringing blessing to the entire church.
Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian
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