Carlton Wynne | The Deep Well and Lively Works of Christian Baptism

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Dr. Carlton Wynne considered Matthew 28:19b, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”at the Reformed Forum Annual Theology Conference held on September 28, 2024 at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois.

Dr. Wynne shares the rich theological significance of baptism, tracing its roots through the Old Testament and highlighting its vital role in the church’s mission today. Drawing on vivid biblical imagery and covenantal theology, Dr. Wynne explores how baptism functions as a visible sign of God’s covenant faithfulness, pointing to both the blessings of salvation and the solemn warnings of judgment.

Dr. Wynne begins by tracing baptism’s deep well from the creation waters in Genesis to the flood of Noah, Israel’s Red Sea crossing, and the ordination of the priesthood, showing how these Old Testament events foreshadow the New Covenant sacrament. Baptism, as part of Christ’s Great Commission, not only initiates believers into the covenant community but also proclaims the gospel, confirms God’s promises, and sanctifies the church.

Furthermore, Dr. Wynne emphasizes the multifaceted work of baptism: it signifies salvation, summons sinners to Christ, seals God’s covenant promises, sanctifies believers, and strengthens the bonds within the church. He illustrates how baptism serves as both a divine declaration and a summons to faith, culminating in the affirmation of God’s grace and the call to live as disciples of Christ.

By exploring these “lively works” of baptism, this presentation calls the church to cherish and uphold the sacrament as a means of grace, nourishing faith and encouraging spiritual growth. This is a theologically rich reflection on how the waters of baptism flow continuously through the life of the church, rooted in God’s redemptive plan and vital for the spiritual vitality of God’s people.