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Baptism, Kingdoms, and the Greater Reality of God’s Work

In moments of global turmoil—when headlines speak of war, unrest, and uncertainty—it is easy for fear and anxiety to take root. Empires rise and fall. Nations contend. History repeats itself.

Yet Scripture reminds us of something steady and unshakable: God sets up one kingdom and brings down another. As we saw in the book of Daniel, earthly powers are never ultimate. God is sovereign over the affairs of humanity.

In times of geopolitical conflict, it is important to remember:

• No earthly nation is the Kingdom of God.

• God’s purposes transcend political borders.

• The Church exists within every nation—including those in conflict.

For example, in recent years, Iran has experienced remarkable growth in Christian conversion. Even in regions marked by instability, the Kingdom of Heaven advances in ways unseen and unexpected.

When Jesus was asked when He would overthrow Rome, He made clear: that was not His mission. The Kingdom He brought operates on entirely different terms.

So as we pray amid world events, we pray not merely for national outcomes—but for the advancement of God’s Kingdom, for the protection and encouragement of believers, and for the gospel to flourish in every land.

The Sacraments: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?

Having recently completed our study of Daniel, we now turn to two sermons focused on the sacraments observed at Abide Church: baptism and the Lord’s Table.

Depending on your church background, the word sacrament may feel familiar—or unfamiliar. It is often used in liturgical traditions such as Catholic or Lutheran churches.

What Is a Sacrament?

A sacrament is:

A specific, physical act commanded by Christ through which God accomplishes something spiritual and unseen.

At Abide Church, we recognize two sacraments instituted by Christ:

• Baptism

• The Lord’s Table (Communion/Eucharist)

While Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions recognize seven sacraments, Protestants affirm only those explicitly instituted by Jesus.

Orthodoxy and Doctrinal Differences

Before discussing baptism specifically, it is important to address something foundational: Christians often disagree on doctrine.

Faithful believers—indwelt by the same Holy Spirit, committed to Scripture, and devoted to Christ—can arrive at different convictions.

So how do we determine what is essential and what is secondary?

Defining Orthodox Christian Belief

Orthodox (meaning “right belief,” not Eastern Orthodox specifically) Christian doctrine is:

1. Rooted in legitimate scriptural interpretation

2. Historically affirmed by the Church

3. Consistent with the early creeds (e.g., Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed)

Within that framework, there is room for disagreement.

For example, these all fall within orthodoxy:

• Calvinism and Arminianism

• Premillennial, amillennial, and postmillennial views

• Presbyterian, Episcopal, and congregational church governance

• Continuationist and cessationist positions

However, denying Christ’s divinity or resurrection falls outside orthodoxy.

As we discuss baptism, we will distinguish between:

• What we believe and practice

• What falls within historic Christian orthodoxy

• What falls outside it

Baptism: Representation, Participation, Anticipation

Our study of baptism follows three movements:

1. Representation – How Old Testament patterns point forward

2. Participation – What baptism means and does now

3. Anticipation – What baptism points toward in the future

Representation: Baptism in the Old Testament

Many Old Testament events function as shadows of greater realities fulfilled in Christ.

1. Ritual Washings (Leviticus 11–15)

Under the law, ritual washings restored someone who had become ceremonially unclean.

These washings:

• Acknowledged impurity

• Required cleansing

• Restored covenant participation

They point forward to the deeper cleansing from sin accomplished in Christ.

2. The Flood (Genesis 6–9)

In the flood:

• Judgment came through water

• Noah and his family were saved through the ark

• A “new creation” followed

The Apostle Peter directly connects this to baptism (1 Peter 3:20–21). Baptism does not remove physical dirt—it signifies a cleansed conscience through Christ’s resurrection.

3. The Red Sea (Exodus 14)

Israel passed through water:

• Judgment fell on Egypt

• God’s people were delivered

• Bondage ended

Paul calls this a kind of “baptism into Moses” (1 Corinthians 10:1–2). It foreshadows liberation from sin and transfer of lordship.

4. The Jordan River (Joshua 3–4)

Israel crossed into the promised land:

• Waters parted

• Faith preceded deliverance

• Inheritance was entered

Though not explicitly labeled baptism in the New Testament, it strongly parallels movement from unbelief to faith and entry into God’s promises.

Participation: Baptism in the New Testament

When we arrive in the New Testament, John the Baptist appears at the Jordan.

Unlike Jewish ritual washings:

• His baptisms were one-time events

• Administered by him, not self-performed

• Focused on repentance from sin

He called people not to ritual purity—but to heart transformation.

Jesus’ Baptism

Though sinless, Jesus was baptized “to fulfill all righteousness.”

His baptism:

• Identified Him with sinners

• Signaled obedience to the Father

• Revealed the Trinity (Father, Son, Spirit)

Immediately afterward, the Spirit descended and the Father declared Him beloved.

Jesus identified with sinners in baptism—though He had no sin.
In our baptism, we identify with His righteousness—though we were sinners.

What Happens in Baptism?

1. Identification with Christ

Romans 6:3–4 teaches that we are baptized into Christ’s death and raised to walk in newness of life.

Baptism signifies:

• Union with Christ

• Participation in His death and resurrection

• Public allegiance to Him

It is not merely symbolic—it reflects a spiritual reality.

2. Salvation and Baptism

Does baptism save?

Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

The thief on the cross was saved without baptism.

Yet baptism is not optional or incidental. It is the ordained public expression of faith and obedience.

Conversion in the New Testament commonly includes:

• Repentance

• Faith

• Confession

• Regeneration

• Baptism

Not every element appears in every passage, but repentance and faith are essential.

Baptism is the God-ordained public declaration of that faith.

3. Initiation into the Church

Baptism also marks formal entrance into the Church universal—the global body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:4–5 reminds us:

One body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

We are not baptized into a local congregation—but into the family of God.

Differences Within Orthodoxy

Two primary debates within orthodox Christianity include:

Believer’s Baptism vs. Infant Baptism

We practice believer’s baptism—following a profession of faith.

However, traditions like Presbyterian and Lutheran churches practice infant baptism based on covenant theology, seeing it as parallel to circumcision.

While we disagree, it falls within historic orthodoxy because:

• It is rooted in scriptural interpretation

• It affirms salvation by grace through faith

• It does not claim baptism itself saves

Immersion vs. Sprinkling

We believe immersion best reflects:

• Biblical language

• Jewish practice

• Symbolism of burial and resurrection

However, sprinkling or pouring does not deny essential doctrine and remains within orthodoxy.

Practices Outside Orthodoxy

Examples include:

• Denying the Trinity (baptizing “in Jesus only” in a modalistic sense)

• Treating baptism as automatic salvation without faith

• Baptism for the dead

• Repeated self-baptism for cleansing

These distort the meaning of the sacrament.

Anticipation: What Baptism Points Toward

Baptism is not the end of the story.

It points forward to:

• Final resurrection

• Full participation in the new creation

• Ultimate deliverance from sin and death

Just as the Old Testament shadows anticipated Christ, baptism anticipates the consummation of His Kingdom.

Conclusion

In a world shaken by conflict and uncertainty, baptism reminds us:

• We belong to a Kingdom not of this world.

• Our identity is rooted in Christ, not nations.

• We have passed from death to life.

• We await a greater inheritance.

Empires will rise and fall.

But those united to Christ through faith—and publicly marked through baptism—belong to a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.