Marked by the Covenant, Claimed in the Water

Baptism of the Lord

OT Lesson: Genesis 17:10-14 (NLT)

This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised. You must cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the covenant between me and you. From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant. Any male who fails to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant.

NT Lesson: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (NRSV)

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptise you with water; but One who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of His sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in His hand, to clear His threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into His granary; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.

Now when all the people were baptised, and when Jesus also had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My Son, the Beloved; with You I am well pleased.’

Sermon

Introduction

Good morning! I trust we all made it through last week’s snowstorm. And then, just as we were recovering, we got hit with another big snowfall on Friday. It forced us to cancel both the BYOB on Friday and Saturday Bible Study. So we will have BYOB this coming Friday. I don’t know about you, but every muscle in my body is aching from all the shovelling. I used muscles which I didn’t even know I had! Plus, not having snow shovel, I used metal dust pan to remove all the snow, which made my muscle ache worse. I truly hope you didn’t have to shovel too much, especially with dust pan. There are two main ways to avoid shovelling. One, you can hire someone to do it for you. Two, you can just stay home and wait for the snow to melt. Either way, I hope all of you stayed safe and warm.

At the end of last year, I mentioned how unusually warm the weather had been and wondered if it was a good thing or not. Well, then came the snowstorm, with temperatures plunging into the twenties and even the single digits. They say to be careful what you wish for—but now I’ve learned I should also be careful what I complain about! “God, I am done complaining, so please give us back the nice weather.” Still, I’m deeply thankful that last Sunday’s snowstorm came in the afternoon when we were all safely home after worship. The church leadership did consider cancelling the service because your safety is so important to us. Remember, if you’re ever unsure about road conditions or safety, you can always—I mean always—worship online from home.

In the liturgical calendar, today is not just the Sunday after Epiphany. It is the day we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, reflecting on how Jesus’ baptism shapes our understanding of our own baptisms. This year, the celebration is even more special because we had the joy of baptising two babies—Roman and Eden Nunley. Through this tender moment, we witness God’s covenantal promises being passed from generation to generation. Today’s OT reading speaks of the covenant of circumcision with Abraham, and the NT reading recounts the baptism of Jesus. At first glance, these two passages might seem unrelated. But together, they reveal an unbroken thread of God’s faithfulness. So, let us take this time to unpack the connection between these two Scriptures and discover what they teach us about who we are as God’s covenant people.

Covenant Mark

Circumcision first appears and is introduced in Genesis 17, a pivotal moment in the relationship between God and Abraham. I think we all know what circumcision is, so I will not delve into its physical or biological details. In this chapter, God makes a remarkable promise to Abraham: he will be the father of many nations. Up until that point, Abraham was just one among many tribal chiefs. But with this covenant, he became unique—like being promoted from a local lord to the sole king of a kingdom. Along with this “promotion,” God changes his name from Abram to Abraham.

Now, many people think of the Apostle Paul when they hear about name changes in the Bible, but just to clarify, Paul did not change his name. He always had two names—his Hebrew name, Saul, and his Greek name, Paul. To Jewish people, he introduced himself as Saul (שָׁאוּל), and to the Greek speaking gentiles as Paul (Παῦλος). It is similar to how my son has both an English name and a Korean name from his birth. So, don’t get those two stories mixed up. Again, Apostle Paul had never changed his name.

As part of this covenantal promise, God commanded Abraham and his male descendants to be circumcised. This physical mark of the covenant sealed Abraham and his family as belonging to God’s people. It was a visible sign of their identity as God’s chosen people—set apart in a world filled with many gods and customs. Through this act, they were called to live faithfully in obedience to the Holy God. Circumcision drew a definitive line in the sand: those who bore this mark were God’s people, heirs to the promises made to Abraham.

One important detail in this chapter is that circumcision was not just for Abraham or even just for his immediate generation. God commanded that from generation to generation, infants to be circumcised at eight days old, ensuring that this covenant extended to all future generations. From the start, God’s plan for salvation was not limited to an individual. It wove through entire families, making room for the youngest lives from the very beginning. This pattern in the OT underscores a powerful truth: God calls and claims us not solely based on our individual decisions but primarily through divine sovereignty and grace, adopting us into the covenant community of faith.

Circumcision to Baptism

In the Reformed tradition, baptism is understood as the NT counterpart to the OT sign of circumcision. Both serve to mark individuals as belonging to the covenant community. However, baptism extends beyond the limitations of circumcision—it is not confined to one gender. In the OT, women were not allowed to get circumcision, well precisely speaking, it was not physically possible. Baptism, on the other hand, welcomes all believers, regardless of gender, age, or ethnicity.

The promise that was first given to Abraham’s family and sealed with a physical mark is now renewed in Christ and sealed with water and the Holy Spirit. This understanding is deeply rooted in Scripture, such as Colossians 2, where the Apostle Paul draws a parallel between circumcision and baptism. He writes, “In Christ you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with Him in baptism, you were also raised with Him through faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.”1 Paul goes even further in Romans 2, explaining that “true circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal.”2 Through these passages, we see that God’s covenant is no longer dependent on an external, physical act but is fulfilled inwardly through baptism by water and the Holy Spirit.

Baptism reminds us of an essential truth: God initiates the relationship. When infants are baptised, they do not stand before us proclaiming like, “I, Roman Nunley, fully understand God’s love and choose to respond.” Instead, the congregation, on their behalf, professes faith in God’s covenantal promises. This mirrors how God acted toward Abraham and his descendants—graciously including them in the covenant, not because of their merit but because of God’s sovereign love. This communal nature of baptism highlights that God claims the infant as part of the covenant family even before they can articulate faith for themselves. Those who receive baptism—whether as infants or adults—share a common bond as sisters and brothers in Christ. Together, we pledge to nurture one another in faith and help each other grow in grace. Baptism is not a one-time event; it is the beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship. It reminds the entire congregation of our shared responsibility to uphold and nurture one another in the faith. This is especially true in infant baptism, where the communal aspect shines. As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Baptism is a profound act of that very village—our covenant community—coming together to guide and support each child’s journey with Christ.

Baptism of Jesus

Let us move on to today’s NT lesson. In Luke 3, we find John the Baptist at the Jordan River, drawing crowds from various backgrounds and professions. People flocked to him because they recognised God at work in his preaching. His call to repentance and baptism as a sign of renewal struck a deep chord in their hearts. So compelling was his ministry that the crowd began to wonder if John himself might be the long-awaited Messiah. Yet, John humbly redirected their attention, saying, “I baptise you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming… He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”3 John’s humility serves as a powerful reminder: there is only one Messiah, only one Saviour, only one Christ. John understood his role as one of preparation—clearing the way for the Lord. For him, baptism was a symbol of cleansing from sin and the beginning of a new life. But John also knew that someone far greater would bring a deeper, lasting transformation through the Holy Spirit.

Later in the chapter, we witness the baptism of Jesus. The Gospel describes the scene vividly: “Now when all the people were baptised, and when Jesus also had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My Son, the Beloved; with You I am well pleased.’”4 In this moment, the fullness of the triune God is revealed. The Son stands in the water, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice proclaims divine love and affirmation. This profound scene captures the essence of baptism’s meaning for us. Through baptism, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, we receive the sanctifying presence of the Holy Spirit, and we hear the Father’s declaration that we, too, are His beloved children.

More on Baptism

Just as Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of His public ministry, our baptism marks us as disciples, dedicated to following God’s call. When we are baptised, we symbolically pass through the waters into a new life—dying to the old self and rising again as a new creation in Christ. Though Jesus was sinless, He chose to step into the waters of the Jordan river, fully identifying with humanity’s struggles and brokenness. In our baptisms, we follow His example, identifying with His obedience and His mission to fulfil God’s redemptive work in the world.

From Genesis 17 to Luke 3, a common thread runs deep: God’s covenant community is precious to the Lord. Baptism welcomes us into this community—not as a mere ritual, but as a profound spiritual reality. Through baptism, we become part of a family with Christ Himself as its Head. The significance of baptism is not found in the water itself. That is why the method—whether sprinkling or immersion—does not ultimately matter. What matters is God’s promise given through baptism: the assurance that we belong to Jesus and to one another. This covenant comes with responsibility. Those of us who witness a baptism make a commitment as well. Today, we vowed to guide, teach, and encourage the newly baptised twin babies, Roman and Eden, as they grow in faith. Even for those of us who do not remember our own baptisms, we are still called to live in light of that identity every day. When we witness others being baptised—especially infants—it serves as a powerful reminder of our own covenantal calling. It strengthens our commitment to be living testimonies of God’s grace, for the sake of those who come after us.

Practical Implications

Now that we understand what baptism is, let us consider its implications. You’ve likely heard the phrase a lot, “Remember your baptism,” which is often emphasised in Reformed traditions. But will Roman or Eden remember their baptisms when they’re grown? Do any of you remember your own infant baptisms? This phrase doesn’t mean recalling the physical act of water being poured on us or remembering the details of the ceremony. Instead, it’s an invitation to reaffirm that we are a people living under the sign of God’s promise. Like circumcision, baptism is a once-and-for-all sacrament. Just as you cannot get a second circumcision no matter how much you want it, you cannot be baptised again. Yet, the meaning and implications of baptism stay with us every single day. Whenever we witness a baptism—like today—we are reminded that we are still chosen, still loved, and still called to embody Christ’s love.

Infant baptism, in particular, places a shared responsibility on every member of the church. We pledge to support the children in our congregation, to pray for them, and to model what it means to live as faithful followers of Jesus Christ. In Reformed communities, especially in Presbyterian churches, we reaffirm these promises with every baptism. Today, we already answered “yes” to questions like, “Do we, as members of the church of our Saviour Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture Roman and Eden Nunley by word and deed, with love and prayer?” and “Will we encourage them to know and follow Christ and to be faithful members of His church?” We said “yes” to these questions. These vows are not mere formalities. They shape how we live together as a church family—from worship and fellowship to educational programmes and mission opportunities. They remind us that raising these children in faith is a collective effort, guided by the Holy Spirit and rooted in love.

Every baptism—especially infant baptism—is a vivid demonstration of grace. Before a child can do anything to earn or deserve love, they receive it freely from the church community. This is the essence of the gospel: God’s love comes first. 1 John says that “We love because He first loved us.”5 Apostle Paul says that “God proves His love for us… while we were still sinners.”6 So, God’s love precedes our repentance, our faith, our words, and our works. Baptism points us to the radical truth that God’s grace welcomes us before we can fully grasp it, and it continues to invite us into a life-changing relationship with God and with one another.

Conclusion

Today, as we celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ and the baptisms of Roman and Eden, may this moment awaken in us a deep gratitude for God’s unbreakable and unshakable covenant faithfulness. The sign given to Abraham and the waters that splashed upon Jesus come together here, reminding us that the same faithful God who spoke in biblical times still speaks today—claiming each and every one of us as His beloved children.

As you witness these baptisms, let yourself be drawn more deeply into God’s redemptive story. Each time water touches the forehead of a child, and each time we hear the words declaring them sealed by the Holy Spirit, it is an invitation to remember who we are and whom we serve. Just as Jesus emerged from the waters with the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, we too walk forward, filled with that same Holy Spirit, equipped to bring healing, compassion, and justice to our communities, our neighbourhoods, and even our own hearts.

Finally, friends, let us hold fast to the Father’s words spoken at Jesus’ baptism: “You are My Son, the Beloved; with You I am well pleased.” In Jesus Christ, this same affirmation is extended to us. To you, to very you, God is saying today, “You are my child, the beloved, with you I am well pleased.” We do not stand as outsiders, anxiously seeking acceptance. We stand as heirs—children whom God has already loved and claimed. God delights in you. Baptism brings this profound truth to the forefront, reminding us to walk boldly in our Christian identity. So let us live each and every day with this blessed assurance, carrying the love of Christ into the world. Amen.