The Baptism of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:12-16)

This sermon was preached at a baptismal service on 4/3/2012

Was baptism significant in the life of Saul of Tarsus?

There are significant events in Paul's life. Which one had great significance for us? Was it his experience on the Damascus Road when the risen Saviour stopped him in his journey to arrest Christians? Or was it when he was caught up to the third heavens and saw and heard matters that he could not reveal? Or was it when he was imprisoned in Rome and had the opportunity to write letters now found in our New Testament? Or was it when he died a martyr’s death outside Rome and went to heaven? 

Perhaps we should rephrase the question and ask, ‘What was the event in the life of Saul that has brought most benefits to the church of Jesus Christ, including ourselves?’ Which event had to take place before he would be accepted as a preacher or as a writer of Scripture? His conversion, although very important for himself personally, would not have benefitted us to a great extent if he had not been baptised, because in all likelihood we would not have heard of him. If he had not been baptised, he would not have become an apostle who was a witness of the resurrected Saviour, who founded churches all over the Mediterranean world, and wrote inspired books of the Bible. It was because he had been baptised that he was identified with the Christian community and was arrested by the authorities because of that identification.

What is the significance of baptism for us?

It is clear then that baptism was a very important event in the life of Saul of Tarsus. But is it important for us? What benefits does baptism give to those who are baptised? Can we see any details in the incident of Saul’s baptism that may help us grasp its significance for us?

The first detail is that baptism is the family badge. When Ananias went to see Saul, the first words that he said were, ‘Brother Saul.’ That greeting would have said many different things to Saul, but at a basic level Ananias was saying to him, ‘Welcome to the family.’ And that is what we are saying to this child today. We are not saying, ‘Welcome to the family of God,’ because we cannot say that to him until he professes at an age of understanding that he trusts in Jesus Christ. But we are saying to him, ‘Welcome into the church family.’ We have the authority to do so because Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, is very clear that children of those who belong to the visible church are to be given the benefits that are found within the visible church. He says in Acts 2:38-39: ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’

The second detail is that baptism is a reminder that God has a plan for all who are baptised. He had a specific plan for Saul of Tarsus. The plan for Saul included having encountered in a physical way the risen Christ. There was more than that in the plan God had for him. In the future he was to know God’s will and be a witness to Jesus Christ. Obviously Saul was to fulfil that requirement in a very specific way as an apostle of Jesus Christ. In a sense his whole future was outlined at his baptism by Ananias. It is as if Ananias was saying to him, ‘From now on Saul, your life is devoted to Jesus Christ.’ And what do we want for this child as he is baptised today? Surely it is that he would discover God’s will and become a witness to Jesus.

How will he discover God’s will? We can answer that question in a way that means we are going to avoid our responsibilities or we can answer it in a way that reveals we realise our responsibilities. If I want to avoid my responsibilities, I can say that he will discover God’s will by the help of the Holy Spirit. Now, that answer is true, but we can use the truth at times to avoid obeying God. We know that we can use the necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit as a reason for not engaging in evangelism. And we can use it as a reason for not fulfilling our responsibilities towards this child. What are they?

First, his parents have responsibilities. It is their duty to teach their son about God’s revealed will. His will is revealed in the Bible. They have to tell him that it is God’s revealed will that he should become a follower of Jesus (that is primary). Of course, they should tell him about the ten commandments and other requirements, but that is secondary.

Second, the church has responsibilities to teach those who are baptised. We will teach him God’s will whether in Sunday School or in the church services. We will also teach him by what we say to him in general conversation. Each of us should imagine what this child will learn from us about Jesus before he is twelve years old. From some of you, he will learn that Jesus is not worth following because you don‘t follow him. From others of you, he will learn that Jesus is not worth confessing even in the congregation because you don’t confess him although he has saved you.

Parents and congregation have other responsibilities. One of them is prayer. How long will you have to pray for this child? Either for as long as you live or for as long as he lives. You will have to pray about many things, but you must pray earnestly for his conversion. God has made his will known to you in this regard.

The third detail about baptism is that it illustrates personal cleansing from sin. It is possible to read this verse on the surface and think that it is baptism that washes away our sins. Rather it is the calling on the Lord’s name that results in cleansing from sin. Ananias’ words to Saul highlight some important responses that should mark the moment of baptism.

The first is that the moment of baptism is a good time to pray. In fact, if we are not in a prayerful state at such a time we are treating the ordinance with contempt. We should pray about everything we do, especially when we are engaged in an aspect of worship.

The second is that the moment of baptism is a good time to think about forgiveness of sin. We don’t think about pardon in the sense that the mere act of baptism will give forgiveness. There is no religious activity that can provide pardon for sin. Yet because it illustrates forgiveness (water cleanses), we should be thanking the Lord that he delights to pardon.

The third is that the moment of baptism is a good time to think about Jesus. Ananias instructed Paul to pray to the Lord and usually in the Book of Acts Jesus is meant when the title Lord is used.