John || Baptism

In his sermon, Ryan, one of the church elders, focuses on the significance of baptism in the Christian faith. He pauses the ongoing study of John’s Gospel to address the meaning, importance, and historical context of baptism, emphasizing that it is not about the individual but about Jesus—symbolizing our union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Ryan explains three types of baptism: proselyte baptism (for Gentiles converting to Judaism), John the Baptist’s baptism (a call to repentance), and Christian baptism (instituted by Jesus). He clarifies that the church practices believer’s baptism—reserved for those who profess faith in Christ—and traces its roots in the Anabaptist movement through church history. Unlike infant baptism, the church offers baby dedications, underscoring the communal responsibility to nurture children in faith. Ultimately, Ryan urges believers who have not been baptized to consider this act of obedience as a profound public declaration of what Christ has already accomplished inwardly, pointing unambiguously to the glory of Jesus.